A committee consisting of Oxford Township Treasurer Joe Ferrari and trustees Charles Kniffen and Jerry Dywasuk was formed last week to investigate the possibility of purchasing or leasing laptop computers for township board members, planning commissioners and members of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
‘I think it’s a really good idea,? Dywasuk said, noting it would allow officials to communicate with each other in a much faster manner than shuffling paperwork ‘back and forth.?
‘I think it’s fabulous. I really think it’s the way of the future,? said Trustee Pat Fitchena, adding that it would allow planning commissioners to instantly view site plans and past meeting minutes.
Kniffen, who proposed the laptop idea, said using computers as opposed to paper meeting packets could reduce the township’s overall paper costs. He pointed out that each of the seven board members had a ‘ream? of paperwork sitting in front of them.
Fitchena noted that ‘at this point, I don’t think the planning commission or ZBA have the volume or amount of paperwork that we (township board members) have.?
Kniffen’s suggestion of obtaining laptops for officials was prompted by the Oxford Village Council’s decision in October 2001 to purchase them. The village paid $1,200 each for eight laptops (five for council members, two for the manager and clerk and one spare). Council members now receive their meeting packets via e-mail as opposed to using paper.
Manager Mark Slown estimated the village will save enough in paper costs over a five-year period to pay back the total amount spent on the laptops.
‘I understand their (the village’s) system is excellent,? said Clerk Clara Sanderson.
Trustee Shirley Clancy expressed her concern that purchasing laptops and the necessary software would be ‘quite costly.?
Supervisor Bill Dunn suggested the possibility of leasing laptops so the township could continously upgrade its systems as they become out-dated.
Dywasuk suggested the township’s new committee speak with the village and Orion officials about their laptop computers.