INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
After several months of little activity, the Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) was re-launched with a new charge and a new name. (Its former name was Management Information and Communications Committee (MICC).) The Board of Selectmen approved these changes in October.
The committee’s role, broadly, is to provide guidance to the Board of Selectmen, Town departments, and other Town committees on technology matters. It concerns itself with matters of information delivery; ensuring access to communications technology; increasing the efficiency of transactions involving the Town departments; and working to ensure the deployment of infrastructure for the Town departments and citizenry. The ITAC provides strategic planning and advising functions to the Town's departments and committees.
The bulk of activity in the second half of 2002 revolved around examining the Town’s information technology use, with a focus on finding efficiencies in the use of technology. Committee members interviewed each department head separately, looking at current and future technology needs, how information flows between departments, and how it flows between each department and the public. Recommendations by the ITAC are expected in early 2003.
Wireless Internet access (WiFi) for the public in Town buildings was explored. Many cities and business provide this service free, and there is a lot of public interest. The ITAC is providing assistance to the library for a pilot project that is expected to launch in early 2003.
The ITAC was regularly consulted by the Municipal Light Department in its investigation of providing both broadband cable (television and Internet access) service town wide and fixed wireless Internet service, especially in parts of Belmont not served by DSL through the telephone company.
Respectfully submitted,
John Bowe, Co-chair
Guy Parsons, Co-chair
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