CLINTON — The Dr. John Warner Hospital board is always looking for ways to save money. And thanks to Larry Schleicher, of hospital maintenance, board members learned Tuesday how to cut one maintenance contract cost by about half.

The hospital’s maintenance contract for its telephone switching equipment expires on Nov. 18. The current contract is with Avaya Telecommunications. Schleicher discovered that Avaya would no longer cover maintenance on the hospital’s equipment and had started subcontracting some of its work to other firms.

“We decided to take bids from new vendors,” Schleicher said. During Tuesday’s hospital board meeting, Schleicher recommended going with Morgan Birgé & Associates. “They offered the greatest number of services that are beneficial to us for a reasonable amount of money,” Schleicher said.

In fact, the new contract will cost the hospital $695 a month versus $1,300 a month under the old contract with Avaya.

Many of the services offered by Morgan Birgé weren’t even available from other bidders, Schleicher said. The firm offered 24/7 availability compared to Avaya’s 8/5 service. City attorney Steve Myers had already reviewed and approved the language of the contract, Schleicher said.

Schleicher recommended just a one-year contract with Morgan-Birgé the first time. “Since they are a new vendor for us; if we didn’t like the service they were providing, it would be easier to get out of the contract,” he said.

The contract does not involve the installation of any new equipment.



Other business

• The board approved an amendment to its by-laws to permit electronic attendance at board meetings. The amendment would make it possible for an absent board member to attend a meeting via speakerphone or other electronic method.