Advisory committee votes to draft preferred-vendor policy and centralized supplies plan

TempletonAdvisory Committee members voted to draft a policy establishing a preferred-vendor list and a centralized approach to purchasing routine supplies. Committee members argued a central vendor list and consolidated supply storage could reduce duplicate orders and generate cost savings; they passed a motion to draft a policy and a recommendation for advisory review.
"Something's better than nothing," one member said when arguing for a centralized supply closet and preferred vendors for office supplies, uniforms and routine goods. Members noted past reports recommending a central supply approach and said the town continues to place small, duplicate orders across departments. Committee members discussed scope limits: the policy should focus on supplies (paper, office items, uniforms) rather than single-source contractors where specialty procurement or union contract language applies.
Motion language directs a committee member to draft a proposed policy and a letter for the Select Board; the draft will come back to advisory for review and possible forwarding to the Select Board. The committee emphasized the need to document current vendor use per department and to have departments identify their common vendors and purchases before finalizing the policy.
Why it matters: Committee members said centralizing routine purchases and designating preferred vendors can reduce waste, consolidate delivery and improve oversight during a period of tight municipal budgets.
Next steps: Liz will prepare a draft policy and recommendation; advisory will review the draft at a future meeting and may vote to forward it to the Select Board.