Somerville Receives e-Government Award from Common Cause Massachusetts

Yesterday, Somerville was among 117 Massachusetts municipalities to receive 2009 e-Government awards from Common Cause Massachusetts. The award recognized cities that publish the following information on their websites:

• their governing body's agenda and minutes
• budget information
• general by-laws
• if applicable, their town meeting warrant and results

Common Cause Massachusetts is a non-partisan organization created to ensure open, honest, and accountable government at the federal, state, and local levels.

According to an article in yesterday's Globe, Common Cause began auditing Massachusetts municipal websites in 2006, at which time only 24 cities made the above information public.

Somerville did not receive an e-Government Award with Distinction, given to 49 municipalities that publicize the following:

• archived governing board agendas and minutes
• zoning by-laws
• school committee agendas and minutes
• agendas and minutes for an additional board or committee
• a calendar of all public meetings

Let's let our reps know we're proud to be among the award winners and encourage them to publicize more city government information so that next year we'll receive the "distinction" we deserve!