Chelmsford, Ipswich, Monterey and Newton were announced as winners of the MMA’s fourth annual municipal website awards during the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show on Jan. 23.
 
The awards recognize excellence in customer service, functionality, convenience and government transparency delivered by a municipal website. Awards are given in four population categories.
 
Newton (www.newtonma.gov) was the winner among communities with a population above 50,000.
 
Chelmsford (www.townofchelmsford.us) won in the category for populations between 15,000 and 50,000.
 
Ipswich (www.ipswichma.gov) won in the 5,000-15,000 category.
 
And Monterey (www.montereyma.gov) was the winner among towns with a population under 5,000.
 
This year’s contest judges were J. Catherine Rollins, director of policy for the city of Everett, and Halifax Town Administrator Charlie Seelig.
 
Judges evaluate municipal websites from across Massachusetts based on the following criteria:
 
• Clear branding as the official municipal site, with local government address and hours prominently listed
 
• Intuitive navigation tools and organization of material
 
• Robust search function
 
• Timely information (e.g., board and committee members, meetings calendar)
 
• Availability of public records (e.g., board and committee meeting agendas and minutes, municipal budget, town meeting warrant, bylaws/ordinances)
 
• Resources for residents such as ability to apply for licenses and permits, pay bills, order documents, and make suggestions
 
• Tools to promote economic development (e.g. ability to obtain licenses and permits, list of developable land and vacant sites)
 
• Information about departments (e.g., key personnel, contact information, office hours, and department mission or purpose)
 
• Use of social media and tools for online community engagement
 
• Visual appeal and overall experience
 

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