Model Municipal Web Site Policy

Purpose & Goal. The purpose of the Town of _______________'s Web site is to provide information about the Town's government services and local attractions. In establishing and maintaining its official Web site, the Town does not intend in any manner to create a forum or other means by which public discourse, exchange of opinions, or discussion on issues of any nature may occur. Rather, the sole and limited purpose of the Town's Web site and permitted external links is to provide information of a factual nature about the Town of _______________ including various services and resources available within and around the Town, or as may be available from other governmental agencies. The goals of the Web site are to encourage increased citizen participation in Town government by making public information more readily available to them, provide electronic access to Town information through a logical single point of entry, and to keep the public informed of local events.

Confidentiality. The Vermont Public Records Act (1 VSA §§315-320) applies to information processed, sent, and stored on the Internet. Confidential information should not be posted on the Town's Web site. While the Town of _______________ Web site may track overall site traffic, it doesn't collect individual user details unless a user voluntarily submits such information. It does not share that information with outside sources, and is committed to keeping such information confidential. If at any time a user believes that the Town of _______________'s Web site is not protecting his or her privacy, the person should e-mail the Webmaster, who will attempt to assess and, if necessary, correct the problem.

Webmaster. The Selectboard shall appoint a Webmaster, who is responsible for maintaining the Town's Web site. All information prepared for posting on the Town Web site shall be routed through the Webmaster. The Webmaster is responsible for establishing maintenance procedures and style guidelines. The _______________ Selectboard is the ultimate authority regarding policy governing the Town's Web site. The Webmaster aims to carry out Town Web policies day-to-day, but is subject to the authority of the Selectboard. These policies should include defining the look and feel of the Web site or deciding who may post information on the site. Complaints about any aspect of Web policy should be brought first to the attention of the Webmaster. If a complainant is unsatisfied, he or she may appeal to the Selectboard. The Selectboard reserves the right to make changes to Web policy at any time.

Links. The Town's Web site may provide links to Web sites outside the Town's Web site that also serve the purpose of encouraging citizen participation in government, promoting local businesses and attractions, and informing the public of useful information. The Town is not responsible for and does not endorse the information on any linked Web site unless the Town's Web site states otherwise. The following criteria will be used to decide whether to grant requests for Town Web site links. If a particular request does not fit any of the following criteria, the Selectboard will decide whether to approve the request. The Selectboard will approve the requested Web site link if it serves the general purpose of the Town's Web site. The Town of _______________ reserves the right to remove a link to content deemed obscene or inappropriate.

The Town's Web site may provide links to Web sites for:

Government and educational institutions;
Organizations with some relationship to the Town (including but not limited to: organizations contracting with the Town, organizations sponsoring Town activities or programs, and organizations participating in Town activities or programs);
Generally recognized community organizations;
Organizations providing information about art, cultural, and sporting activities in the Town's area;
Businesses physically located within the Town of _______________;
Organizations providing information about employment opportunities in the Town's area; and
Organizations providing information about tourist attractions in the Town's area.

The Town's Web site will not provide links to Web sites for:

Candidates for local, state, or federal offices;
Political organizations or other organizations advocating a position on a local, state, or federal issue;
Corporate or other for-profit organizations unless they fit any of the criteria stated above; and
Individual or personal home pages.

Disclaimer. The materials and information contained on or obtained from this Web site are distributed "as is" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation, warranties of title or implied warranties of merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose. Information contained on this Web site, including information obtained form external links thereon, is provided without any representation of any kind as to accuracy or content and should be verified by the user. The Town of _______________ is not responsible for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages that may arise from the use of, or the inability to use, the Web site and/or the materials contained on the site whether the materials contained on the Web site are provided by the Town of _______________, or by a third party. Data contained on the Web site are subject to change without notice.

Approved by the _______________ Selectboard on _______________ (date).