We advocate for a Borough website that is user-friendly and accessible, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for all Keansburg residents. Our vision is for a site that is easy to navigate with intuitive menus and a responsive design suitable for various devices, including mobile phones and tablets. Here are some proposed improvements to enhance user engagement and community interaction:
User-Friendly Features:
Efficient Search
Integrate a prominent search bar to help residents quickly find resources.
Immediate Information Access:
Simplify the process to access important information, such as election details, which currently requires multiple clicks and downloads. Key information should be readily available and highlighted on the homepage.
Updated Content
Ensure all articles and documents include publication dates to indicate recency.
Consistency
Standardize the presentation of all sections (e.g., Municipal Debt, Yearly Budgets) for clarity and ease of use.
Provide information at the click of a button (currently, for example, in order for someone to even see who the candidates are, a resident has to go through a few clicks). First go to https://keansburgnj.gov/keansburg-government/borough-hall/, then go to Keansburg Headlines (no title mentioned there has any date attached to it), then click on 2024 Municipal Election Candidates and Polling Locations, then you will be presented with another link where you have to click again to hopefully see the information, but even when you click it, it doesn’t open anything, it just downloads a document. Only after that, if one opens this document can one see who are the candidates. For such an event of interest to the residents, that happens once a few years, this information should have been flashing on the main page.
Any article posted should have a date attached to it so people know how recent it is.
Interactive and Informative
Interactive Maps
Feature maps that pinpoint parks, schools, healthcare facilities, public transportation, and emergency services to help residents easily locate essential services.
Currently our “Visitor” section includes for example a section called “Houses of Worship”. If one clicks on it, it will open a pdf. That pdf doesn’t seem to have been updated for at least 6 years (father Dan Cahill retired in 2018).
Career Opportunities
Add a dedicated section for job listings to aid in local employment.
Community Engagement: Establish forums and discussion boards for residents to connect, share ideas, and discuss local issues.
Accessibility and Convenience
Online Services
Expand online payment options to include all community services, moving away from in-person payments that currently do not accept debit/credit cards.
Multilingual Support
Offer the website in multiple languages to accommodate all residents, similar to the options available on the Middletown Township website.
Community and Emergency Services
Feedback Mechanism
Incorporate a system for residents to submit feedback, report problems, and express opinions about the website and community services.
Emergency Preparedness
Provide comprehensive resources on emergency preparedness, including evacuation routes and emergency contact details.
Local Business Directory
Create a directory of local businesses to bolster the local economy and help residents discover services in their area.
Contact Directory
Update and maintain a borough-wide directory with contact information for all departments and employees.
By implementing these features, the website will not only meet the needs of residents but also foster greater community engagement and improve the overall quality of life in Keansburg.
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