Towns share experience with MAS

Wendy Thompson: My name is Wendy Thompson. I'm the finance officer with the town of Jonesville.

Janet Gerald: My name is Janet Lynch Gerald, and I'm the mayor of Kingstown. 

What interested you in being a part of the MAS program?

Wendy Thompson: I was very excited because it was an opportunity for Jonesville to get something we couldn't afford to pay for.

Janet Gerald: We currently had been using a software that was really not giving us the results of everything we would need. 

Wendy Thompson: We had been saving up money for three years trying to get that initial implementation amount together without having to pull other services in order to pay for it.

Janet Gerald: The only thing that we understood was it was very expensive and that we could not do it on our own, but since the League was paying for it and it offered a lot more convenience and a lot more results than we were getting with our current program. 

What was your experience with the League & the MAS program?

Wendy Thompson: I have to tell you when it first started, I was terrified because I've been through the tail end of an implementation before, I've seen the stress that it causes. 

Janet Gerald: It's totally new and we totally have never done anything like this before. 

Wendy Thompson: Because there were so many people involved that had their own specific knowledge, it was very easy. 

Janet Gerald: Well, when I say working with the League, I mean specifically working with Julie Sheer and that has just been awesome. 

Wendy Thompson: They actually sat down and went through all of my bank accounts with me. 

Janet Gerald: And anytime I go to anyone at the League for help, I mean they're right there with an answer, so I appreciate that. 

Wendy Thompson: They were there to walk me through every step out and be there to answer any questions.

What do you think the MAS program means for your town staff and residents?

Wendy Thompson: We understand more about our software program, we understand more about the information that we're giving out and it's given us confidence. 

Janet Gerald: We just have scratched the top of what the program is capable of offering and later on we may be able to use more of it than we're using right now. If we can stay on top of what we're what we're doing, I think it would be a good thing for the town. 

Wendy Thompson: We put the town in a better financial place. 

Janet Gerald: I can see the benefits. I can see the results. 

Wendy Thompson: I believe the stress and the fear in a lot of the small town finance will be able to be eased in having in a department for them to call that they can trust. 

What is your hope for the future of the MAS program?

Wendy Thompson: Myself, personally, I pray the state sees the benefit for the state, for the local government, and for the citizens, and keeping this program going and funding it. The League has really pushed and put together a great group of not just people, but departments to be able to help us, so I hope more towns are taking the opportunity to get to know the people at the League.