Dodd Proposes Better Public Notification Procedures

At the Tuesday, March 13 Westborough Board of Selectmen meeting, Chairperson Tim Dodd proposed that the board hold public office hours and commit to providing public information electronically and online.

His proposal was offered during the same meeting that .

Dodd said he proposed his ideas as part of the nationwide Sunshine Week campaign. As explained on the Sunshine Week website, "Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public's right to know."

Among his suggestions is that the town use its website, Twitter and Facebook to inform the public. He would like to see a page on the town website titled Transparent Westborough, providing easy access to town documents and related information.

He also proposed that the board hold regular office hours with residents. His suggestion is to offer office hours at the and on the second Tuesday of each month, with a session in the morning and another in the early evening.

He urges residents to make recommendations for strengthening transparency by mailing suggestions to the Town Hall or emailing transparency@town.westborough.ma.us.

Dodd told Westborough Patch that he expects both proposals to be discussed at the March 27 meeting.