Municipal Spotlight

By KEN HAMWEY, 

Bulletin Staff Writer

Bellingham has redesigned its municipal website by implementing major changes that will enable users to navigate the site more effectively. Another plus on the technology front is the addition of a municipal Facebook page.

What’s basically changed on the town’s municipal website is the improved way departmental information is organized and the ability to find the content readily.

“The redesigned site (www.bellinghamma.org) now is in compliance with the ADA (American Disability Act),’’ said Karen Dutil, the town’s IT Director. “Fonts and text sizes are easier to read. Past site deficiencies were recognized but now improvements have been made for sight-impaired individuals.’’ 

Town Administrator Denis Fraine, who’s worked with Dutil on the redesign, likes the new-look home page.

“It’s easier to find things,’’ Fraine said. “The online payments link is a good example and there’s ease in finding specifics like a calendar of events (board meetings), the latest town news, updates on trash pick-up and recycling, how to report a pot hole, how to sign up for code red, and links to all other departments and town activities.’’

A previous redesign occurred in 2017 but the current upgrade is a major plus. 

“It needed to be modernized,’’ Dutil offered. “There are technology improvements, and the content is definitely more organized. And, we’re in ADA compliance. Also, each department head, or a designated individual, has undergone training to update the content of their pages.’’

Dutil emphasized that the redesign has not involved using taxpayer money — the funds were generated from a statewide grant that she wrote. “The town received a Community Compact Grant for $55,000 that paid for the website redesign,’’ she said.

The town’s new Facebook page was launched on July 1, and Fraine believes that by focusing on town news and events the page can help to eliminate misinformation on other Facebook pages.

“More people are using Facebook,’’ he said. “And we see a fair amount of misinformation about Bellingham on other Facebook pages. We want to give users as much accurate and updated information as possible on town news. Much of the info on the town’s municipal website is now available on the new Facebook page (@townofbellinghamma).’’

Currently, the police and fire departments, the DPW, library, senior center and board of health all have their own Facebook pages. “The news they post will be tagged onto the municipal Facebook page,’’ said Hilarie Allie, the Select Board’s Administrative Assistant. “Be sure to like and follow the Facebook page for accurate information.’’

Users can directly message the administrators of the Facebook page (Dutil and Allie) with questions and expect a response during business hours. “I’ll try to answer any questions or get the needed information from the departments,’’ said Allie.

Fraine, Dutil and Allie all have strong, positive opinions on the redesign of the municipal website and the addition of Facebook.

“The Select Board has prioritized the need to do a better job of sharing accurate information with the public,’’ Fraine emphasized. “The Select Board wants to make sure the town is disseminating updated and accurate information and wants to hear what’s on residents’ minds. We want the public to come to our sites for their news and we want to be transparent in our approach.’’

Dutil, who’s worked for the town for 30 years (20 as I.T. Director) says: “It’s my job to execute all of the Select Board’s requests to provide the platforms to get information out accurately and quickly.’’

Allie’s focus is on getting more of Bellingham’s residents to use the town’s Facebook page. “We realize that residents are going to Facebook to get information on the town,’’ she said. “So, we’ve created our own page to provide accuracy. The Select Board’s aim is to be as transparent as possible.’’

Technological upgrades, re-designs and improvements are inevitable in this day and age, and Bellingham officials are striving to make its website and Facebook pages more dependable and easier to use.