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Select Board awards $19,500 compensation study to MRI after debate over cost and local experience
Summary
After comparing four proposals and debating an $8,500 price premium for a higher-cost vendor, the board voted 4–1 to award MRI of Plymouth a $19,500 contract for a compensation-and-benefits analysis to inform budgeting.
The Kingston Select Board voted 4–1 on June 2 to award a $19,500 contract to MRI of Plymouth for a townwide compensation-and-benefits analysis, a step board members said they hope will inform next year’s budget and personnel planning.
Speaker 5, who presented the comparative review, summarized four responses to the town’s RFP—MRI, PayPoint, McGrath and Evergreen Solutions—and said MRI came in under the $20,000 budget and is local to New Hampshire. "MRI came in under our $20,000 budget," Speaker 5 said, noting MRI listed comparable New Hampshire towns.
Board members debated whether paying roughly $8,500–$9,000 more to hire PayPoint or a higher-cost firm would produce materially better results. "I like PayPoint's presentation, but I can't in my mind come up with the extra 8,000," Speaker 6 said, citing current year budget constraints and existing lines close to being overexpended. Speaker 1 pressed members to decide whether the extra cost would clearly produce a much better product.
Speaker 4 moved to award the contract to MRI for $19,500; the motion was seconded and carried by a 4–1 vote. The minutes record the vote as four in favor and one opposed. The board directed Susan to contact MRI immediately so work can begin in time to deliver findings for the upcoming budgeting season.
What was discussed
- Scope and timeline: Vendors provided differing timelines (MRI: 3–4 months; PayPoint: 12 weeks; McGrath and Evergreen: 3–4 months). Several vendors said they would include on-site visits; the RFP language left some flexibility. - Budget constraints: Multiple members emphasized that the town does not currently have an obvious contingency to absorb an $8k–$9k premium without reassigning funds from other priorities. - Deliverables: Reviewers noted that PayPoint and Evergreen provided detailed final-report examples; McGrath emphasized law-enforcement/EMS experience but lacked New England references.
Next steps
Susan will contact MRI to finalize the contract and begin work, with the board asking for results in time to aid the town’s budget decisions.
