Technology Committee

Minutes of 8/22/07

Approved as of 9/19/07

Northwood Technology Committee Minutes
August 22, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7pm.  Ken Curley, Peter Jones, Bob Young and Lucy Edwards were present.  Bill Tappan was unable to attend due to a last minute schedule change, but submitted his suggestions by e-mail.

It was agreed that this first meeting of the committee would focus on organization.  The group unanimously elected Pete Jones as chair and Lucy Edwards as secretary.  The committee will meet regularly on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at the Town Hall.

Pete Jones then suggested that we should try to set some goals, short term, medium term and long term.  The committee will aim for a report to be submitted to the board of selectmen by the end of the year, and a short term goal would be to have suggestions that require expenditure of funds in the next budget year be ready for the budget process starting in November, if this is possible.

It was agreed that this committee is like the highway advisory committee, that it deals with infrastructure essential to the operation of the town, and that the infrastructure is in need of maintenance as well as long term planning to make sure that it is secure, cost-effective and of maximum usefulness to the residents of the town.

The following goals were identified:

Short Term Goals - End of 2007
1. Google email or another similar email host
2. Network Assessment
3. Catalog of databases
4. Vendor Review

Mid Term Goals - Mid 2008
1. Equipment Usage Policy
2. Data Backup
3. Purchasing/Procurement Policy

Long Term Goals - On Going
1. Document Templates
2. Website
3. Training

It was agreed that the first step had to be an assessment of where we were today, what information does the town keep, who keeps it, where is it kept, how is it kept.  Once that is completed, an analysis of strengths and weaknesses can be made, and problems identified.  Then solutions can be sought and costs estimated.  It is a very large project and will require the help and cooperation of many people, both those now serving in town government or employed by the town, and those who have done so in the past.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.  The next meeting will be Sept. 19, at 7 pm at the Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Lucy Edwards, Secretary