Groton council approves $72,135 Springbrook HR software upgrade

The Groton Mayor and Council unanimously authorized the purchase and licensing of an updated Springbrook human-resources module for $72,135 on June 29, approving an HR director’s recommendation to modernize onboarding, applicant tracking, employee self-service and learning-management functions.

Director Lacount requested the contract during a special Committee of the Whole meeting and told the council, “I’m here this evening requesting approval for purchase of the licensing for Springbrook, which is essentially just an updated HRIS module in the amount of 72,135.” She said the request was included in the FY27 HR budget and that the city has used Springbrook for finance, payroll and HR since 2003.

Lacount said the new modules will reduce manual spreadsheet work, automate workflows for forms and approvals and help generate mandated compliance reports. “There are a few reports for compliance and for federal law that does get reported. One being our EEO-4 report,” she said, adding the system will produce accurate data exports and reduce the need to manipulate raw data.

Councilors asked about training and implementation. Lacount said the learning-management features can host city-curated trainings and provide access to general leadership and soft-skills courses. She estimated about three months to roll out five modules after the city places the order, which could be made as of July 1.

Councilor Imbault moved the authorization that the HR director be empowered to execute the contract; a second was recorded. The Mayor and Council voted in favor with the members listed at roll call: Mayor Ares, Deputy Mayor Sheffield, Councilor Piazza, Councilor Ambrose, Councilor Johns and Councilor Norris Burdon. The motion passed unanimously.

The approval authorizes the HR director to finalize the contract and proceed with implementation; the council did not identify any conditions or amendments to the vendor agreement during the meeting.