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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2697
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 9:26 am: | 
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OK, I'll admit to being steamed and distracted by other aspects of my life. I completely ignored the fact that I'd not renewed my parking sticker, and therefore got a ticket (as is appropriate). I think I mindlessly thought a renewal form would come in the mail. Wrong! The pool can manage that, but not the parking bureau.
I would really like someone to look into either (1) mailing reminders with form to prompt for check, or (2) taking the info over the phone, or (3) making renewal available online.
If I can the blessed tickets online, why on earth can't I renew? I will happily pay a "convenience fee." This 1st and 3rd Tuesdays crap for late nights for routine business is just not adequate. This is not the '50s.
Rant over. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11368
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 9:35 am: |
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At least back in January the Concierge at the train station had the forms and you could handle the transaction by mail. The issue with doing this online is that you have to prove residency and unless you have a scanner and can send a .pdf file this is impossible.
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2698
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 9:53 am: |
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Hmmm...softening some. I still think a pro-active postcard mailing would be wise. Also, given the number of permits and issues (including school residency) that require proof of residency, perhaps a more complete solution would be a database of residents, accessible online. Seems like it could serve a number of purposes ranging from the schools, to the library, to parking, to permits, to ASP, to voting, to property issues. I see many disparate activities requiring same, and a single db would be helpful.
It bugs the heck out of me that things are so stoneage and inconvenient for working people. Somehow the mealpay thing manages to work. Could be one would access the db from the library, and trad mail, so the people who always worry about equity could hush up.
I would tell such a db just about anything to get out of this crap of going to city hall. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7366
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 5:15 pm: |
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Cynicalgirl: If you forgot to renew your parking permit for the last four months, would on-line parking renewal have solved your problem?
The problem with an on-line data base is that people move. Therefore, the data base would still have to be updated every year. Perhaps on line renewal followed by mailing in copies of the needed documentation would work. Another possibility would be to have one or more evenings set aside for renewing jitney and parking permits similar to the way in which registration for the greenhouse is handled.
I agree that in general the town needs to be more accomodating to residents who are not available in town weekdays 9 to 4.
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2710
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 6:40 am: |
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It's the distraction factor, Joan, for me. These days I'm like a Pavlovian subject: bill turns up in the mail, I pay it. If it doesn't, I'm likely to forget. Pool membership renewal turned up, I paid it. Parking didn't, so I didn't. I'm game to pay, just speaking to the inconvenience.
Plus, seems to me that last year I actively went looking to pay and there was delay in stickers/rereg stuff so it put me off my stride. I would think, too, that the pool cares who's a resident and who's not yet sends a rereg form and lets you pay it that way with no added proofs???
As you might imagine, I favor online everything so bills and other business can be taken care of when convenient. I know that people move, but it really does look like a single db would serve many masters. I'd rereg annually if it was convenient in terms of location, hours, requirements. The library? The police station? as satellites? |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7369
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 5:06 pm: |
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A central database sounds like a fine idea. Once the town's computers are able to share data (Bart tells me they can't at the moment) this would be something well worth pursuing. |
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