City Wins E-Government Award

Mon., Mar 31 Common Cause Massachusetts, a nonpartisan, nonprofit, government watchdog group, dedicated to citizen participation in an open, honest, and accountable government, has awarded 90 communities in the Commonwealth with awards today to honor thier commitment posting six important local governance documents on their websites.

The event is part of Common Cause’s on-going Massachusetts Campaign for Open Government, which periodically reviews the internet presence of all 351 cities and towns in the state. The current audit of all municipal websites in the Commonwealth will be released at the event. The first assessment in 2006 found that only 24 municipalities -- or about 7 percent -- have all 6 key records posted on-line. The six documents included in the review are the municipality's governing body’s agenda, the governing body’s minutes, fiscal year 2008 budget information, the municipality’s bylaws, code or ordinances, and if applicable, town meeting warrant and town meeting results or minutes.