February 11, 2009
Mr. Joseph Michaud, Chair
Dear Mr. Michaud and Members
of the Select Board:
The Website Development
Committee has been meeting since October of 2008. Comprised of
UMass Dartmouth Librarian
Matthew Sylvain, Town of
Manager Michael Courville, Information Services Librarian Sharani Robins, Library Trustee Paul
Pereira, Library Director
Denise Medeiros, and Administrative Clerk Audrey Quail, the
Committee has agreed upon
the attached draft of a Dartmouth Online Website Policy.
The Committee requests that
you review the draft policy and advise us of any recommended
changes by February 24, 2009, which
is the date of our next meeting.
If there are no changes
proposed, the Committee will proceed to the next step—to determine
the content of the site. Once
the content is agreed upon, we will be able to map the site in
preparation for developing the actual
website. Mr. Sylvain has advised us that UMass
Sincerely,
Audrey Quail
Administrative Clerk
cc: Executive Administrator
Director of Budget &
Finance
Purpose Statement
The Town of
1 Make public information more readily available thereby encouraging greater public understanding of town government and participation in the town’s governance.
2. Provide access to forms of electronic communication and e-commerce functions in order to enhance the traditional walk-in experience to our town departments.
3. Inform residents and visitors about government services and local attractions.
4. Use emerging technology, as it matures, to enhance town services.
Policy
1) Confidentiality
Massachusetts Public Records laws apply to information
processed, sent and stored on this website. Confidential and private
information will not be posted to the town’s website. The contents of this
website are public information. While the Town of
2) General
Disclaimer
This website does not contain official public records.
The contents of this website are for general informational purposes only and it
is the responsibility of the user to verify all information. The Town of
3) Links
The Town of
The town’s website may provide links to websites for:
• Local, state and federal government institutions;
• Local educational institutions;
• Organizations with some relationship to the town (e.g., organizations contracting with the town, organizations
sponsoring town activities or programs, and organizations participating in town activities or programs).
• Organizations providing significant information about art, cultural and sporting activities in the town’s area.
* Businesses
located within the Town of
• Organizations providing significant information about employment opportunities in the Town’s area.
• Organizations providing significant information about tourist attractions in the Town’s area; and
• Non-profit organizations providing social services to the town’s residents without regard to race, gender or
religion.
The Town of
• Political candidates;
• Individual or personal homepages
• For-profit organizations unless they fit any of the criteria stated above
• Organizations or individuals advocating a position on a local, state or federal issue
• Organizations or individuals that may be considered discriminatory on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion or ethnicity
The Town of