Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Town Communications topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge clearer town communications and restored mailings of town meeting booklets
Summary
Public commenters asked the Town of Orange to broaden how it notifies residents of meetings and to resume mailing town meeting booklets; commenters suggested assessing electronic access and considered RSS/email opt-ins and maintaining mailed booklets for those without internet access.
At the start of the May 7 special meeting residents urged the Town of Orange to improve how it notifies people about meetings and town business.
Cheryl Farnham told the select board she discussed with Carmela the possibility of adding an RSS or email opt-in feed to the town website so residents automatically receive notice when new agendas or special meeting notices are posted. “I had some discussion...about the possibility of developing an RSS feed for the Town Of Orange website such that people who opt in will get an email if something new is posted,” Farnham said.
Other commenters complained that the revised town meeting booklets were not mailed to all residents before a recent warrant vote, and said some voters arrived at the meeting without having had the opportunity to study the materials. Simon Davies and other residents clarified that there had been debate at prior town meetings about whether to provide booklets electronically or by U.S. mail, and noted copies were available at the meeting. Bob Manhock recommended the board look at the broader communication problem and the trade-offs involved — including statutory notice periods for special meetings and the portion of residents without reliable electronic access.
The chair and board members said the suggestion could be placed on the next regular meeting agenda and asked that more information be provided to town staff (Diane and IT) so the board can consider implementation options at a future meeting.
