Brattleboro’s Comprehensive Review of Town Operations – Draft

Comments | 1

  • My 2 cents

    Here’s what I sent in:

    Already Accomplished

    – so no need to comment…

    In Progress

    IT Plan – Reminder that there are ample experts in the area to assist, and no Technology Committee for the town at present.

    1. Consider adding a Tech Committee, with a mission similar to Energy Committee.
    2. Consider adding a Tech Coordinator, much like the Energy Coordinator.

    Short Term

    Explore Use of Interns… – Yes! Also consider adding a Volunteer Coordinator or Committee to help tap into the vast expertise in the community.

    Update Social Media Policy – “Social Media” is just one part of the internet. Have an Internet Policy as the umbrella, and put social media as one category under it. Other categories might include purchasing online, sharing news and information, spam, security, online calendars, etc. Have the Tech Committee (see above) assist. (Background: The policy came about due to a Selectboard member violating Open Meeting Law by having private “meetings” via Facebook during a public meeting.)

    Townwide Records Retention Policy – Have the Tech Committee (see above) and Librarians assist Town Clerk’s office. Be careful not to rely on digital records without a very long term plan. How will someone in 2080 access this data? Will there still be a computer available to view it? Electricity? Will the software that created it still exist? Records should be able to be read regardless of power/software availability.

    Add: Build the skatepark.

    Medium

    Consider adding a new Utility – internet services. Take advantage of being on the backbone and provide high speed fiber to homes and businesses. Collect utility use income. Make town more attractive to families and businesses. Relatively low cost economic development investment!

    Long Term

    Uh, climate change?

    Create Sustainable Town Robot and Drone Procurement and Maintenance Policy

    Form Regional Monorail Authority for efficient hub transportation system.

    Artificial Intelligence Committee Forms Itself

    Transfer Property Tax Burden From Physical to Virtual Property Owners

    Paving Policies for Autonomous Vehicle Lanes

    (In general, this Long Term section doesn’t seem to have much vision of the future. Big things are coming that will have great impact.)

Leave a Reply