The city of Lakesite is debuting a new and improved website, which now has up-to-the-minute information pertinent to the community.
"We're really excited about the website," said City Recorder Jodi LaCroix, who along with other city staff members will be updating the website daily. "We want to be able to communicate with the residents effectively using the latest technology."
A mobile version of the site is also available for residents with smartphones.
"It's a great tool," said LaCroix of the site, which features useful information such as the city directory, municipal codes, city charter, emergency management links, a listing of local businesses, a calendar of community events and city news of interest.
If a storm is coming through the area, the site offers a quick way for city officials to convey warnings to residents, said LaCroix. Citizens can also sign up to receive notice by email when information is added to the site.
"We wanted to communicate directly in real time with the residents, so that way if they do have a question or concern, they can just go to the website," she said.
With City Hall open from just 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, she said the website also provides an opportunity to access information at a more convenient hour for working residents.
City Commission meeting agendas will be posted online, and minutes from meetings will be posted the day after they have been approved by the commission, said LaCroix.
The new website is hosted by GovOffice, a company specializing in local government websites, at an annual cost of $450. In her previous job as town clerk of Charlestown, R.I., LaCroix said she served as co-administrator of the town's website, also hosted by GovOffice, and was very satisfied with the service.
Lakesite welcomes residents' suggestions on how to improve the site, as well as citizen submissions of information relevant to the community, such as events or notices of lost pets.