In this information age, many cities and towns have developed an internet presence. Unfortunately, the standards vary widely. Some towns have no site at all, while others have a confusing hodge-podge of information.
Southbridge is clearly a town in need of a vision for its website. It needs to define its purpose. Fortunately, an organization right here in Massachusetts, the local Chapter of Common Cause, has been tracking and evaluating municipal websites across the Commonwealth. In doing so, they have developed some criteria for good municipal websites. They present the towns that meet the criteria yearly awards.
The latest study was done in March. Locally, a town receiving Common Cause’s highest award is the town of Charlton.
Any town that is interested in providing the most useful, helpful website for its citizens should start with the Common Cause report.
Links
Common Cause Report: Transparency in Massachusetts Municipal Websites. This is a pdf file.
Town of Southbridge Website
Town of Charlton Website
Common Cause of Massachusetts
©2010 The Massachusetts Observer
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