Town Website Plays Multiple Roles, Serving Multiple Audiences

By Avice Meehan

Over the past decade, Norfolk’s website has evolved from a project nurtured by the Coalition for Sound Growth (CSG) into a town-supported information hub that provides access to everything from agendas and minutes for town boards and committees to the seasonal operating hours for Tobey Pond.

For each of the last two years, the town has allocated $17,000 for the website, with the bulk of the funds going to support improvements to website design and functionality. The budget also includes funds for a writer who produces a weekly newsletter that currently circulates to approximately 450 subscribers. Going forward, the Website Committee will have access to a grant of $15,000 from the William and Mary Greve Foundation to support a part-time events editor and publicity for the site.

As can be expected in a small community, the website serves multiple audiences with a variety of needs: access to news updates between the publication cycle of the monthly Norfolk Now, meeting schedules, event listings and a gateway to Norfolk. 

“I see it as a compendium of information. Who is who and how to find them in town government,” said Sue Frisch, who became chair of the Website Committee in late 2021. “It is also a medium for town government to reach out to people and share what it’s doing.”

Frisch would be the first one to admit that the website has experienced growing pains, particularly as the newsletter seeks an editorial rhythm and consistent voice. A big believer in transparency, she is currently working with web developer Jim Jasper to identify the best way to post town regulations and useful forms, including burn permits. 

“I am personally really keen on the website becoming the center [for listing] all events in Norfolk,” said Libby Borden, chair of the Economic Development Commission and part of the CSG group that worked with the late Vint Lawrence on the website. “This town is made of silos . . . and it would be great if we could get a robust calendar of events on the website.”

For committee member Susan Caughman, a retired marketing and digital executive, it’s all about providing a service to town residents while making Norfolk an attractive destination for people looking for a weekend visit or permanent place to live. She is laser-focused on improving site functionality and making it easier to find through Google search and other means. Monthly visitor traffic is variable and has ranged from more than 3,000 a month during the summer to 2,230 in the slower month of December.

One thing is sure: the amount of information available through www.norfolkct.org will continue to expand. News and community items can be shared with writer Kathryn Boughton at newsletter@norfolkct.org; event and calendar listings will be managed by Jennifer Pfaltz at events@norfolkct.org. The indefatigable Frisch is the webmaster and questions about the site can be directed her way to webmaster@norfolkct.org.

First Selectman Matt Riiska supports the website and hopes that it will become even more useful in the future, helping citizens to engage directly with town government.

Ed. note: The author is a member of the Town Website Committee.