OpenGov, software powering payments, permitting, and licensing on the Town of East Hampton’s website, is now open for business.
In fact, all Planning Department applications must now be submitted digitally through the OpenGov portal, and beginning May 19 all Building Department applications must also be submitted online. Residents can begin using the portal immediately, however.
“OpenGov is available for the following departments: Marine Patrol, Ordinance, Planning, Building,” Councilman Tom Flight, who has led the implementation of the software, said at Tuesday’s town board meeting. During his liaison report, he acknowledged “concerns over the Building Department,” which he attributed to personnel changes. “There have been challenges with timing going on there.”
“I’ll just jump in there, Tom, and say one of the delays is because of courtesy and concern for the rollout of OpenGov in that particular department,” Councilwoman Cate Rogers said. “They’ve been operating with a hybrid system, where you can either bring your applications in paper or use the digital platform. When folks are bringing those applications in, the staff has to act as the applicant and upload all that information manually into the OpenGov system. So, we ask for folks’ patience, not only for staffing, but also as we transition to the OpenGov system.”
It’s hard to miss the portal if you visit ehamptonny.gov. Doing so generates a pop-up window with the relevant information. To submit an online application, residents must create an account.
“Transitioning to OpenGov brings greater convenience, better tracking, and faster application processes,” Councilman Flight said in a press release. “It also helps the town operate more efficiently and sustainably.”
With the system the town hopes to save on paper and ease interdepartmental communication. Applicants will be able to receive automatic status updates and pay fees online.
“This is about using technology to meet people where they are and continue to build a responsive, modern local government,” Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said in the release.
