By John Pacenti
Ocean Ridge has unveiled its new website, marking a significant upgrade in digital services for residents and the public. Town Manager Lynne Ladner talked about the launch during the Jan. 6 Town Commission meeting and in her memo to commissioners, highlighting several key improvements.
The website at oceanridge.gov boasts a fresh look and improved functionality, streamlining the permitting process and reducing the need for in-person visits to town offices.
“The new software portal for submitting permit applications and inspection requests has rolled out down a bumpy road but is quickly moving forward, and the growing pains have been worth it,” Ladner said in her memo to commissioners.
One of the most notable additions is a portal that allows contractors to upload permits, schedule inspections and manage their projects more efficiently — reducing the need for hard copies.
Training took place for builders, contractors and permit runners on the new system, Ladner said.
“There have been a few hiccups in the system as everyone is learning how to use the system at the same time but it will not take long before everyone is thrilled with the advancements,” Ladner wrote in her memo.
The website, rolled out before Christmas, allows users to access historical permit information for the past decade, with older records still available through the town’s Laserfiche system.
The town has secured a new .gov domain, which adds an extra layer of credibility and security to its online presence.
However, the rollout hasn’t been without glitches. Some commissioners reported issues accessing their email accounts through the new system, but these are being addressed, Ladner said.
“I hope people like the look of the new website. It’s a big change,” she said.
In addition to the website update, the town is exploring options to upgrade its audiovisual capabilities for commission meetings. This initiative aims to facilitate video conferencing and remote participation, potentially increasing public engagement in town governance.
Currently, there are only audio recordings made of commission meetings.
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