The Issues Facing Towns Also Create Opportunies

Most medium and small municipalities lack the technical skill and resources to effectively use the Internet in their communities.

Issues:

• Shortfalls in revenue that are leading to reductions in staff and services.
• The complexity of current Web sites that limit the number of maintainers because of the need for installing desktop software and provision of training.
• The lack of integration into internal municipal business processes.
• A general lack of effective use of technology to improve productivity within towns.
• The declining fortunes of local newspapers that is resulting in less coverage.
• The reality that older citizens who have the time to participate in committees and such lack many of the necessary skills to maintain even simple web sites.

Opportunities:

• Move many traditional permitting, application and fee payment processes online with paperless processes.
• Develop key processes as modules so they can be shared across municipal sites.
• Implement Drupal as an internal Intranet, not just a public website.
• Create standardized training videos, etc. to support new users.
• Develop companion community site to support citizen journalism, forums and participation of all organizations (clubs, nonprofits, businesses, etc.) within the community. Community wide calendar, resource directory, etc. Allow advertising and sponsorships to fund.
• Offer "vertical" communities between municipalities where town officials can collaborate, promulgate best practices, lobbying, etc. (example - Planning Departments, Health Boards, etc.)
• Public education is frequently a small town's most significant budget line item. The School Systems NEED ease of use solutions as well, and the communities support good investments -> not wasteful annual subscription based 'canned' products.

Background:

• Many members of the Drupal community have previously drafted custom solutions -> leverage off the knowledge share to assist each other.