When 2013 began, Moorestown’s Telecommunications and Technology Committee members set out to increase the use of the township’s website and survey IT needs.
Now, a technology audit is underway, and the township is closer to determining what needs to be done and how much it will cost, township manager Scott Carew said.
“If the changes/improvements do not cost more than what we have budgeted for IT, we can implement any we deem appropriate. If anything were to require additional funding, council would have to make a decision to fund it or not,” he said.
Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano, liaison to the telecommunications committee, said the previous technology manager left unexpectedly. It’s the technology committee’s intention to figure out whom to hire and create position specifications, she said.
But before searching for a new technology manager, the technology audit must be completed.
Napolitano said the company performing the audit specializes in helping municipalities with technological needs. The audit would allow the committee to look into other areas of improvement, as well.
There is an “added benefit of working with this group,” Napolitano said. “On top of looking at hardware and software,” the committee can look at how technology can be used efficiently.
Technology improvements have not been left out of the town hall/library project. Wiring would be set for future equipment installations.
Residents will not get a firsthand look at how the improvements are aiding the township — it will be more at the “back end of things,” such as reducing servers, sharing technology with other departments and organizing with other groups.
She said they will see an improvement in one area that is more frequently used by residents — the website.
A few Moorestonians have appeared at meetings expressing their concerns regarding the website.
Some have suggested the township make it easier to navigate and post information more frequently.
Information should be easily available to all residents, Napolitano said, adding the township is looking to create a “public portal” where residents could view services such as applying for dog licenses and permits.
Going paperless is another thing the committee has in mind. However, it’s something that will not be done immediately.
Napolitano said the committee wants to make sure access to information is simple, and updating the website might do the trick.
“It will not be a huge investment, but we will get a significant return,” she said.
The next Telecommunications & Technology Committee meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 18, in the town hall conference room, 2 Executive Drive, Suite 9A.
