The site currently has 318 pages, consisting of features such as driving instructions to the township, updates on special events and township issues and access to public records and police records.
Sandow came before the Township Committee looking for help to finish up what he considers an unfinished work.
'Wrap This Thing Up'
"I need something of a statement from the committee, that we really should wrap this thing up," said Sandow.
Some of the examples he cited were the lack of pages from the township administrator and financial officer. In addition, he said that the services of affordable housing, visiting nurses and Environmental Commission were not on the site, and he'd "kind of given up nagging about" their absence.
"Somewhere along the line, we've got to make an effort to dig these facts out and publish them," he said.
Sandow said that recently he attended a New Jersey League of Municipalities conference where several state agencies were pushing the idea of "e-government."
He said, "Everybody made a little speech, trying to hype up the towns in the direction that the state thinks it's inevitable that you should go."
Online Purchases
The direction the state thinks is inevitable could also be quite practical for Long Hill, according to Sandow. He said there are 50 items of $100 or less that could be purchased through the Web site with a credit card.
Among the examples that Sandow discussed were fire alarm certifications, dog licenses and parking permits as items that didn't require a visit to Town Hall or signature from the purchaser. Sandow said that by allowing these items to be purchased online, the Web site could serve a functional purpose beyond being a broadcast medium.
Sandow said that in neighboring Bernards Township, residents can pay their property taxes online with a credit card, but he doesn't recommend Long Hill start out its e-government services with that feature.
Sandow said that according to a state law called the Government Electronic Payments Acceptance Act of 1995, townships can or can't charge fees or can or can't use commissions from credit card companies.
Start Below $100
He said the convenience fee for paying property taxes online could be quite high and that the township should start with items of $100 or less, where the convenience fee would be between $2 or $3.
"That would offer convenience to a citizen that doesn't want to mess around with a stamp and a self addressed stamped envelope," said Sandow.
Asked about security and accuracy in offering e-government features, Sandow said the question boiled down to two issues: where the processing is done and who has the personal information. "What do we do back here at town is another," he added.
Sandow said there are a lot of "highly reputable organizations" over the Internet that serve as the middleman between township residents and credit card companies at the banks. Sandow said it all takes place over the Internet using a "secure, encrypted transmission."
On the township government end, Sandow said a list is produced everyday "by whatever comes in by e-mail." The list goes to whoever issues the permits and includes the recipient's address.
Township Administrator Kevin Sluka said township employees who work at Town Hall would be receptive to e-government services. His reservation was that the current municipal building didn't have the computer infrastructure to handle such changes.
"This is not the place to invest the infrastructure," said Sluka. Township officials are tentatively scheduled to move into the new Town Hall on Valley Road by March of next year.
Sluka said the new building would have the computer infrastructure to handle advancements on the Web site.
He said that once in the new building, e-government feature could be used by all employees in the building.
'Want To Use It More'
"We want to use it more, no one will fight it," said Sluka. "There's no one in this town that wouldn't prefer an electronic transmission of a dog license than someone standing in front of your face with a barking dog outside."
Sandow said he was worried about waiting until after the township moved into a new municipal building because the town would lose one cycle of permit and license renewal after this January.
In addition, Sandow after moving into the new location it would take "two months to unpack the boxes," and was concerned he'd be having the same discussion next September.
Mayor Suzanne Dapkins said the committee would take Sandow's suggestions under advisement and see what future steps could be taken. She also thanked Sandow for the outstanding work he does on the Web site.
After the meeting Sandow said that he would like to have dog licenses and alarm and parking permits available online by this January.
Quelle: Zwire
