Website Policy, Town of Belvidere, Vermont

www.townofbelviderevt.com

Section 1: Title and Authority

This policy shall be known as the Belvidere Website Policy (hereafter “Policy”). It has been adopted by the Belivdere Select Board pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §§ 1121,1122, and 872.

The Select Board reserves the right to amend any of the provisions of this Policy for any reason at any time, with or without notice.

This Policy is administered by the Select Board.

Section 2: Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to provide standards and procedures for the appropriate use of the municipal website, www.townofbelviderevt.com (Website). This Policy gives direction to municipal employees, elected officials, and other authorized users of the Website.

Section 3: Conduct of Municipal Officials

Those persons designated and authorized to utilize the administrative and editor functions of the Website understand that they must always conduct themselves appropriately. Content shall be considered carefully, understanding that it will be widely accessible and retained or referenced for a long period of time. The municipality expects its officials to be truthful, courteous, and respectful towards colleagues, residents, general public and any persons who do business with the municipality.

Information posted to the municipal Website is public and is subject to Vermont’s Public Records Law, Open Meeting Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, policies, and municipal regulations.

Any authorized Website administrator or editor agrees by execution of the Acknowledgement of Official Use by Municipal Officials Form to:

• Keep postings factual, accurate, and up to date.
• Post corrections as soon as possible once know error is found.
• Never post content on anything related to legal matters, litigation, or any parties with whom the municipality may be in litigation with, without prior specific approval form the Select Board.
• Never post any confidential information.
• Refrain from expressing personal opinions, or positions regarding policies, programs, or practices of the municipality, its officials, or public agencies, political organizations, private companies, or non-profit group.

Section 4: Designation of Website Platform

The Select Board has identified and designated the Website type of speech forum, its purpose and rules as:

Government Speech Forum

This platform does not allow any public user content or interactive discussions. It is reserved for the municipal government to engage in its own expressive conduct, to promote its own message, and to distribute information.

Section 5: Account Management

Authorized municipal officials may only use the website to update or post pertinent information upon/after approval for said person(s) by the Select Board. See Acknowledgement of Official Use by Municipal Officials Form. The Acknowledgement of Official Use by Municipal Officials Form shall by executed by each approved user and approved by the Select Board.

Section 6: Public Records Law – Compliance

Municipal website platform and its related content are subject to Vermont’s Access to Public Records Law. Any records produced or acquired in the course of municipal business may be public record. Therefore, there should be no expectation of privacy regarding the information posted on the website. Public records, regardless of format, are available for inspection and copying during customary business hours unless there is a specific statue exempting the record from public disclosure in whole or part. Those records exempt from public inspection and copying are set out a V.S.A. § 317 (c).

The official municipal website shall clearly indicate that any content posted or submitted for posting in whatever format is subject to public disclosure.
See Section 10: Disclaimer and Privacy Statement.

Section 7: Public Records Law – Retention

Any content or record that is removed from public view on the municipal website must be done according to and in compliance with the current Select Board Approved Record Retention Schedule.

Section 8: Open Meeting Law – Compliance

Municipal officials must comply with Vermont’s Open Meeting Law when posting or updating the website. All posts that relate to municipal business are subject to Open Meeting Law.

Information posted by the municipality to the website, will be considered an official notice and standard method of providing warnings, postings, and notifications required to be made with regard to public meetings and hearings under Vermont law.

Section 9: Enforcement of Policy / Violations

Persons found in violation of this Policy may be subject to revocation of permissions to update, edit or post information to the Town website. The Select Board will review issues and proceed in accordance with town policy and State of Vermont laws.

Section 10: Disclaimer and Privacy Statement

Disclaimer

Neither the Town of Belvidere, nor any agency, officer, or employee of the Town of Belvidere warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published on the Town of Belvidere website, nor endorses any products or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of the information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.

Various websites may be linked through the Town of Belvidere website. Visitors to those sites are advised to check the privacy statements of those sites and be cautious about providing personally identifiable information without a clear understanding of how the information will be used.