01/05/09
Town Web site begins publishing citizen correspondence
The Town of Cape Elizabeth is expanding Web site capabilities by posting all correspondence on public issues online.
While e-mailing municipal officials is currently available, online review of correspondence received is a new addition. Beginning immediately, Cape residents may direct e-mail to the town council and other boards and commissions to the town’s Web site. Click here for new e-mail contact page.
Once the e-mail is received, automated confirmation will go out to the sender. The system will accept all e-mails, but will only send one automated reply per sender per day.
All e-mails will then be kept on the Web site and will be available for the public to read. Correspondence must be made available for public review under the right-to-know laws, however, making correspondence available for review on the Web enhances public access.
E-mails will be sorted by the date received. Search capabilities are also available. E-mails will also be archived.
Every effort will also be made to scan and post online any correspondence not received in electronic form. The town has no plans at this time to add comments received prior to January 1, 2009.
Town officials will also be able to read all comments online, resulting in cost savings in copying costs and staff time.
When you are not on the Web
Residents will also still have the option to review correspondence through review of public files in the Town Hall or other town offices. Where town offices have a computer available for public use, review will be via access to the town Web site. Residents may also access the internet from the Thomas Memorial Library.
This new system is a “work in progress” and refinements will be made based on experience. Comments on the procedure are welcome. |
