Poll: Should SeeClickFix be Used in Medfield?
Would you like to see the town of Medfield use SeeClickFix to address local issues?
Medfield Board of Selectmen chair wants to see Medfield use SeeClickFix, “the Web-based tool citizens use to report complaints,” according to Hilton Collins’ Oct. 28 article in Government Technology, “SeeClickFix Has National 311 Potential.”
Peterson wrote on his blog, “Medfield 02052,” that he has contacted town officials via e-mail about formally installing SeeClickFix in Medfield to address various concerns, complaints and issues throughout town.
“I [e-mailed] Ken [Feeney], Mike [Sullivan] and Kris [Trierweiler] to again suggest they implement SeeClickFix in town,” Peterson wrote.
Sullivan, according to Peterson’s blog, “dismissed” Peterson’s suggestion previously, “out of fear there would be crazy requests,” Peterson wrote.
In response to Sullivan’s position, Peterson writes: “I suggested that we all still use e-mail despite getting spam.”
Peterson has been a believer in SeeClickFix since attending a conference on using technology in government “a couple of years ago.”
“At that time, the Boston DPW was reporting huge employee time savings from use of a similar smart phone system they implemented because they now worked off project lists generated from resident input rather than having employees out physically canvassing the city for things that needed attention,” Peterson wrote.
According to SeeClickFix’s website, the web-based tool allows users to submit information and/or receive alerts about a particular town, area, etc. through smart phone apps (iPhone, Blackberry and Android), Twitter and Facebook, widgets on websites and mobile web reporting. Users can sign-up for free but to have complete functionality of the site and its tools, the Town of Medfield would have to purchase the GoPro! program. SeeClickFix does not list the price of the program on its website.
SeeClickFix, based out of New Haven, Conn., essentially works like this:
A SeeClickFix user reports an issue and it appears on the website. From there, community members, local government, utility companies, etc. can see the issue reported. In theory, the appropriate department in the town's government handles the issue reported and it is deemed “fixed.”
Peterson is intrigued by the web-based platform that enables Medfield residents to report issues to their town government and that government’s ability to respond to residents’ concerns. He believes it will ultimately improve the town.
“Crowd sourcing to make Medfield better,” Peterson said.
So Medfield, we want to know …
Today’s question: Would you like to see the town of Medfield use SeeClickFix to address local issues?
Errin Chapin
8:26 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
This appears to be a change that would enhance the town's response. I am assuming that the town employees that would be effected by this are computer savvy. I am actually curious as to why the powers at the town hall don't want this program. They would rather have the DPW drive the streets looking for something to do? Or wait for a phone call? The town would rather NSTAR was not immediately alerted to issues? Furthermore, when the problem is fixed, it would be noted on the website. Looks to make our response time more efficient and enhances communication. After reading what this website would do for the town of Medfield, I am truly curious as to why town hall would not welcome this.
Jeremie Smith
8:56 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Thank you for the response Errin! I am planning to follow-up this poll with a story involving Mike Sullivan, Ken Feeney and the other selectmen to report what the resistance to SeeClickFix is. Stay tuned.