Taunton City Clerk office unhappy with dog license software program

Taunton City Clerk office unhappy with dog license software program 

A software system designed to make life easier for residents and contractors — by allowing them to file for various permits online instead of coming to City Hall — is getting anything but rave reviews from the office of the City Clerk.

“I just don't think the program works for us,” Assistant City Clerk Jennifer Leger told the City Council Tuesday night.

TAUNTON — A software system designed to make life easier for residents and contractors — by allowing them to file for various permits online instead of coming to City Hall — is getting anything but rave reviews from the office of the City Clerk.

“I just don’t think the program works for us,” Assistant City Clerk Jennifer Leger told the City Council Tuesday night.

Leger, who was filling in for City Clerk Rose Marie Blackwell, had come before the council as part of a budget hearing with various department heads in anticipation of passing a FY15 budget before the end of the month.

The City Council in late 2012 voted 7-to-2 to appropriate $67,000 from the city’s reserve account into a dedicated revolving fund — to pay for start-up costs related to computer hardware/infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the GeoTMS system.

Under terms of its contract with Franklin-based Des Lauriers Municipal Solutions Inc. for its permitting-and-inspection software module, the city pays a four-percent surcharge per each license or permit transaction.

The city also brokered an agreement with Des Lauriers whereby the annual user fee drops from four to three percent when the city’s prior year’s “total recorded fees” exceed $1 million.

GeoTMS became active at City Hall in 2013.

The City Clerk’s office, Leger explained, currently uses the program exclusively for renewing existing or issuing new dog licenses to pet owners.

She told the City Council GeoTMS has turned out to be more of a hindrance than a help since her office began using it in late March.

“It doesn’t make sense for us — it’s not all that user-friendly,” Leger said.

Leger said she and Blackwell have asked Paul Arikian, Taunton’s Director of Technology, to consult with GeoTMS representatives. But she also told the Council “our IT (information technology department) can’t fix it.”

Arikian on Wednesday said he’s responded to the requests of the City Clerk’s office and has provided them with all the information they’ve requested.

He also said the company providing GeoTMS has been cooperative and supportive every step of the way.

“The support’s great — they’re a great company to work with,” said Arikian, who took over as Taunton’s IT director in October 2013.

Arikian said GeoTMS is on course to facilitating the process for contractors seeking permits online for plumbing, electrical and gas jobs. He also said once the City Clerk’s office becomes more acclimated to the process, they’ll realize the benefits in terms of increased efficiency.
 “Once that happens, then the girls will be more efficient in other areas,” he said.

Leger told the Council the Clerk’s office recently lost a part-time employee and is down to just four full-time workers, including herself and Blackwell. She said the budget proposed for FY15 will accommodate hiring a new part-time worker.

Arikian said part of the problem the Clerk’s office has experienced might be due to the fact that only one employee has been designated to process the dog licenses.

He emphasized that every computer in the room is equipped to interact with GeoTMS.

Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr., during his State of the City Address in January 2013, touted GeoTMS as a means of saving residents and contractors valuable time by streamlining the permitting process and “allowing our inspectors to input data and sign permits in real time.”