SEYMOUR -- The town could pay as little as $50,000 to upgrade its financial management software, or five times that much.

The Board of Selectmen accepted requests for proposals from three computer software companies at its meeting Tuesday. Bids ranged from $50,000 to $250,000.

The companies were Munis of Falmouth, Maine; Walsh of Southington; and Phoenix of Southbury. Town officials declined to disclose the amount each company bid.

The new software could help the town prevent financial problems that have plagued it in the recent past, officials said.

"Bring us into the 21st century: That's [what] I hope it will do," said Board of Finance Chairman Robert Kennedy.

Two years ago, town officials grappled with a financial crisis that left the town $1.2 million in debt, forcing painful tax hikes. The town fired then-Finance Director Arthur Davies for alleged fiscal mismanagement and replaced him with Douglas Thomas.

The most recent audit of town finances recommended a new software system, as have previous audits, Thomas said.

The new software would register financial transactions more quickly. Eventually, the town could have all of its departments networked into the same system, officials said.

Both Thomas and Kennedy are on a Town Computer Advisory Committee created last fall.

The committee will meet with the companies starting next week to determine which program is best for the town and could select a program by the end of the month.

Amanda Cuda, who covers Valley events, can be reached at 736-5440.

"We know it's kind of outdated," Thomas said.

The Connecticut Post

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