HomeMy Public PortalAbout2015-02-03_MR_Website LaunchMEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 3, 2015
SAME ADDRESS, DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE
MUNICIPALITY – The Municipality of the District of Chester has done some renovations –
to their website. The changes will improve access to municipal information, make
navigation of the site easier, and provide more ways for the public to communicate.
The service-based menu and simple layout delivers a one-click experience that has
already garnered positive feedback from residents. Information is readily available
according to topics of interest and general flow between pages in substantially improved.
“Although Council and staff think in terms of ‘departments’, most of the general public
does not,” says Warden Allen Webber. He further adds, “The public shouldn’t have to
guess which department delivers which service. It’s our responsibility to make access as
easy as possible.”
More than ever, and especially since being certified in ISO 9001:2008, the Municipality is
looking for ways to increase transparency. A feature new to the website allows immediate
online access to the Municipality’s central filing repository for documents such as
agendas, minutes, by-laws and policies among others. As soon as a document is filed in
the system, it is available to user s.
With the Municipality’s commitment to delivering quality service and continual
improvement - evident by the adoption of their Quality Policy and achieving ISO
certification - redesigning the website was a priority. Access to key documents, up-to-date
information, and two-way communication is critical when engaging citizens about the
decisions and projects of the Municipality.
A few additional highlights include metrics for wind tower production, development
permits, and PRO Kids applications. “Metrics” are monthly or annual statistics that can
identify trends and success as well as where improvement is needed. Users have the
option to sign up for several “email alerts”, such as storm cancellation notices, Plan
Review updates, and meeting notifications. The “Information Hub” provides frequently
updated stories, social media feeds, and access to meeting and event calendars.
The Municipality is open to suggestions for further improvement and invites the public to
visit www.chester.ca and contact them using the online form, email, or any of the
conventional methods.
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jennifer Veinotte, Communications Officer
Municipality of the District of Chester
(902) 275-3555 ext. 1202 phone (902) 275-4771 fax
(902) 277-1169 cell jveinotte@chester.ca