Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Just finished VADAR training, which involved learning how the financial software used by the Assessors, Treasurer, Collector and Accountant works. It is really an easy system to use, once you learn it. It is so easy and quick to generate detailed financial reports, such as a budget to actual that actually shows detail such as Board of Selectmen - assistant salary, office expense, etc rather than the unnamed, general dollar figure explanation that Advisory Committee and others are now receiving. Taxpayers are paying for this system and it should be used to it's full potential - generating detailed reports that account for the spending of tax dollars. Apparently, the selectmen do not wish that to be, question is, why not?
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ReplyDeleteI also attended the VADAR training session. I cannot say for sure since I have not had the opportunity to actually prove what I was told, but it appears that the reason the Advisory Committee was forced to spend town money to gain access to required info was not as stated. The trainer informed us that the exact report could be generated anytime in what amounts to seconds by selecting a specific template.
ReplyDeleteIf this is truly the case I am one pissed off camper. We asked over and over and was told the reporting method was no longer available. The trainer from VADAR states differently. If this is the case the Town of Templeton just spent $1700 to save an employee about 1 minute 12 times a year.
If I and the trainer am wrong my blood pressure will drop, but if not, well, somethings going to pop...........lol
Just a cursory life look at VADAR.com own website, describes in detail reports that can be generated as noted above ^ . I guess my question to the Advisory folk would be : Why didn’t someone type in that Google machine -VADAR.com or pick up the Tele and ask someone before handing over money ?
ReplyDelete1800Mrplow
DeleteWe asked the TA, BOS, and accountant if my memory serves me and the answer we got was that detailed report was no longer available.I know we officially requested the information via a motion from Advisory Committee.
As far as the tele question, well, for my part I wouldn't have known what details I needed to ask to get the exact report.
Not sure I follow that logic. “ I would not have known what details to ask for ...” So, the Advisory board had no idea what they were looking for ? How about asking the company what the software that Templeton has purchased with Tax Payer money has the ability and rapidity to produce ?
ReplyDeleteAs far as the asking of the AC,BOS and accountant well either they are incompetent or lying seems a little of both to this Plowman.
^^^ * sorry AC = Town Administrator
ReplyDelete1800MrPlow,
ReplyDeleteWe, the AC are an "end user". We get a paper copy. On VADAR when creating a report you have multiple perimeters to choose from. I would also say the "same report" can be generated in different detail.
Vadar wouldn't have any requirement to tell me anything I wouldn't imagine. I'm Bob from Templeton, Member of AC. I have no license, pay you no fee but I want you to work for me and try and figure out how to create this particular report.
I'd imagine like in most cases they would refer me to my town representative/licensing agent, etc...... In other words the TA, BOS or accountant.
I can say that the gentleman who trained us yesterday did say we would be able to reproduce the reports( that we showed him) we are looking for in the detail we need them.
Again, as a town representative ( of the town advisory / finance ) I would argue that in fact you ( with proper verification of identity) would be able to get that information readily. As in you just were granted access via Town. You (* collective) as a town board have the legal authority and autonomy to ask for other types of information what would be different in this instance ?
ReplyDeleteIn fact - as you noted above the VADAR rep told you ( as a board member ) that those reports requested with perimeters required by your board can in fact be produced.
1800MrPlow.......... The only reason I was talking to the rep was during a training session after we had already purchased the license so not really "factual"
ReplyDeleteWe were only granted access when we bought the license, not before regardless of what the town says. See we only have "read only" access. All other access points are read/write access which unauthorized individuals shouldn't touch, especially to "learn"
Thank you , I appreciate the clarification on this
ReplyDelete