Village Council Considering Move to iPads [Poll]

The could be moving from paper to plastic. Ridgewood's IT Director Dylan Hansen last Wednesday presented a plan for the council to purchase software to ditch paper packets of ordinances, resolutions and reports it bundles weekly. 

Eight iPads have already been purchased, at over $6,300 (64 GB models, with a 3G card), and if included with the software, would enable council members to scroll through agendas in a more efficient manner from the dais. Still, there remained some hesitancy on the part of the mayor to make the switch due to cost concerns.

According to Hansen, the cost of the iPad software is $19,800 and has a shelf life of five-to-six years. The software "would handle the scanning, access, organizing and publishing of the agendas/paperless packets," Hansen later said in an e-mail to Patch.

The packets often times total over 100 pages and are distributed to the five council members, local media members as well as the village clerk, manager and attorney.

According to Deputy Mayor Tom Riche and Councilman Paul Aronsohn, using iPads would cut down on toner costs, staff time, copy machine use and overall and paper costs.

"We're burning through trees here," Aronsohn said at the council meeting. "I think it's a smart investment," added Riche, noting it's often difficult to keep track of the volume of paper.

Officials told Patch they weren't aware of any studies or analysis done to determine how much is spent preparing the paper packets.

Beyond the upfront cost of $19,800, Hansen said there's a $3,800 annual software upgrade fee.

The overall costs made for a less-than-enthused Mayor Keith Killion.

"It's too rich for my blood," Killion said, remarking that many software upgrades in the village have not lasted their expected lifespans.

Council members have yet to receive the iPads. The issue will be further discussed with a vote likely coming in March.