Stockton must replace new software

What the borough purchased last year is not doing the job.

By: Linda Seida
   STOCKTON — The borough needs to buy $25,000 worth of new accounting software to replace a software package purchased last year that isn’t up to the job.
   "The system does not appear to be designed for New Jersey’s unique accounting methods, and the company is, in fact, Canadian," the borough’s chief financial officer, Diane Schubach, said in a memo to the mayor and the council. "I know of only one other municipality using the system, and they are looking to replace it as well."
   Officials expected the software they bought in 2006 to perform according to the town’s accounting needs, but it does not. Now their task is to figure out why. Was the software package misrepresented or did officials err with their purchase?
   Mayor Stephen Giocondo said, "We’re looking into why the system does not do what we expected it to do."
   "We’ll review the warranties, the guarantees and the representations made at that time," said the borough’s attorney, John Bennett. Then officials will "determine a course of action."
   In the meantime, the town needs the new software to take care of business. The Borough Council Monday introduced an ordinance that will authorize the purchase. The council could approve the expenditure during the next meeting July 30 when there also will be a public hearing.
   Stockton spent $18,000 in 2006 for new computer hardware and software with about half of that going for the software, according to council President Michael Hagerty. He said the software does not "keep the general ledger" nor does it address numerous items recommended by the annual audit, among other things.