Town of Wayland ECC

Great Town Websites

What are the key features to a superlative Town Website?

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Town of Wayland ECC

Key Features

Empower and educate citizens

Raise the level of government accountability

Provide financial and secondary market disclosure information

Deliver government services with increased efficiency

Encourage communication

Attract business and tourism

Striving for Online Excellence – Municipal Advocate Vol 24 No 2

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Town of Wayland ECC

Empowerment

Make information available to residents

Meeting agendas (and meeting packets) and minutes – posted in advance of upcoming meetings, and maintained historically

Meeting broadcasts

Budgets with backup detail (and historical archiving)

Online directories

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Town of Wayland ECC

Government Accountability

Financial statement audits

Operating statistics

Executive updates

Meeting minutes

Annual citizen survey (plus, post results)

Post fiscal goals

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Town of Wayland ECC

Communication!

Newsletter from Town Manager informing about upcoming town events/meetings and happenings (mentioned repeatedly in survey)

Newsletters or Blogs from Boards and Committees with opt-in subscription by interest area

Webcasts of Town Meeting and Board Meetings

Email and online feedback forms

Suggestion box

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Town of Wayland ECC

Services and Efficiency

Go online rather than stand in line Online bill payment (taxes, Park & Recreation, water bill, parking tickets, landfill

stickers, etc.) Many local governments invite and accept requests for proposals through their

Web sites, increasing the efficiency of government business. Check status of permit applications Downloadable forms Make appointments online (e.g., with assessors) Road construction updates Water hydrant flushing schedule Water use restrictions “Online Constituent Services tool” (see Quincy): a “one-stop-shop” form that

allows residents to input request or report information – routed to appropriate department, with tracking of request available

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Town of Wayland ECC

Miscellaneous

Town Code and Zoning by-laws

Town Warrants and minutes (historical archive)

Town Election results (with historical archive)

Guide for new residents

Community Calendar

FAQ – administrators at Town Building know the most common questions and answers.

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Town of Wayland ECC

Wish List

Town Meeting voting online

Meeting Broadcasts on Demand

Enable residents to opt out of paper and go green (save postage and paper)