The Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) serves at the request of the Board of Selectmen, but also acts as an advisor to specific Town departments on an as-needed basis.
In the first quarter of 2003, ITAC concentrated on finishing its report to the Board of Selectmen regarding the Town’s use of information technology. With a goal of finding ways to increase the Town’s operational efficiencies, Committee members had conducted numerous individual interviews with the various department heads. Among other things, these interviews explored current and future technology needs, how information flows between departments, and how information flows between each department and the Town’s residents. ITAC presented its findings and recommendations in an oral presentation to the Board of Selectmen, along with an extensive written report.
As a result of the recommendations highlighted in the report described above, the Town strengthened its information technology (IT) oversight, creating a new position of IT Manager. ITAC helped review the more than 500 resumes that were received in response to the Town’s announcement of the open position. ITAC also assisted with the in-person interviews of the final group of candidates. Karen Martin was the candidate who was finally chosen, and she began working as the Town’s IT Manager in October, 2003.
Wireless Internet access (WiFi) for the public in Town buildings was also explored by ITAC. As a pilot program, ITAC helped set up a WiFi access point at the main library on Concord Avenue.
Like many other committees, ITAC spent considerable time discussing the possibility of an independent non-profit cable television production facility, as well as other items related to the upcoming cable franchise license negotiations with Comcast.
ITAC members also participated in the Vision 21 Implementation Committee’s Public Information and Communications (PIC) Planning Group. This overlapped with many past ITAC efforts largely having to do with the development and evolution of the Town’s web site. The PIC presented its findings to the Board of Selectmen in January, 2004.
Throughout 2003, ITAC was regularly consulted by Belmont’s Municipal Light Department (BMLD) as BMLD investigated providing broadband cable service (television and Internet access) town wide. BMLD also discussed with ITAC the option of providing a more limited fixed wireless Internet service, to specially serve those parts of Belmont not accommodated by Verizon’s DSL offering. Similarly, in 2003 ITAC was consulted by the School Department in reviewing its IT infrastructure security audit, as well as helping with the School Department’s presentation of proposals to the Capital Budget Committee and the Foundation for Belmont Education.
Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan Green, Co-chair
Charles Smart, Co-chair
| 
