Town Officially Launches New Website

East Hampton Town government has received several face-lifts, such as the addition of the new town hall, but it has now received a virtual makeover, as well.

Recently, the town officially launched its new website -- a much needed upgrade to the older one, which hadn't changed much since it was created in the 1990s and paled in comparison to East Hampton Village's homepage. 

The new site is certainly more attractive and easier to navigate. The homepage has the upcoming calendar schedule for town hall meetings, important documents, such as the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, are available on the left-hand side, and application forms are available on the right.

One of the initiatives of Supervisor Bill Wilkinson's administration was to bring the town into the 21st century with an attractive, functional, and informative site, according to Len Bernard, the town budget officer, who oversees the Information Technology department.

"Bill's been really pressing to get it up and going," Bernard said. "We've been working on it awhile, since last year, populating it with information."

Bob Pease and Nicole Fasito worked on getting important town documents on the site, such as permit applications, the town budget, and the Comprehensive Plan.

"Number one it helps deflect some of the questions and inquiries that would otherwise come in to people who would have to spend their day dealing with them," Bernard said. "We're more than happy to answer questions but if there's a way to cut down on that, then that's great. For instance, instead of getting a request for the budget, having to make a copy of it, it's right on the site for anyone to download and review."

The new site has been up for a few months, with some people gaining access to it through LTV's site, but it only recently became available through a simple Google search for the town government.

The old site had been stagnate for years, "through no fault of anybody that was here," Bernard said. The first site grew out of the computer advisory committee back when the supervisor was Jay Schneiderman. "The old website suffered from more a lack of attention than anything," he said, adding that Carole Brennan, the deputy town clerk, updated it with agendas and other information, but that it was not really her responsibility.

The town is still making use of Townclerk.com, where agendas and resolutions will be available.

Town Clerk Fred Overton said on Tuesday that there are a few more details he'd like to see on the site. For instance, instead of just being able to download permits, like the beach parking permit, he'd like to see some instructions on what kind of information needs to be mailed in with the application.

"I think it will get even better over time," Bernard said.