Town, Library and Searles Websites Could See Overhaul

The town of Windham could soon alter the way that three of its websites are managed, which would see an updated design in the near future.

During a discussion on Monday night, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept a switch to a content management system (CMS) format pending a look at cost items beyond hosting the actual websites and a cost analysis on annual hosting fees.

The town is facing an overhaul of its main website along with the Nesmith library and Searles School and Chapel pages.

"The Searles Historic Committee has been asking to have a website designed for them to market the building," said Town Administrator Dave Sullivan.

He added that more tools will be available with the new system to make advances to the overall site.

Windham resident Scott Baetz, a business owner in town whose company specializes in web design and development, has offered to complete the sites at one-third of the standard price.

Sullivan didn't give a specific dollar amount as to the reduced cost, but gave a ballpark of about $10,000.

The Windham Economic Development Committee pays approximately $4,500 per year for annual maintenance to their website, which Baetz is hosting and serving as webmaster.

Sullivan said that the maintenance for the three new websites would be minimal compared to what he is doing for the WEDC website.

Baetz provided a complete network assessment to the town in April. Part of that assessment was a recommendation that the town update its family of websites to a CMS system. At present, the website administrator codes all updates.

A price will be available to Selectmen on Nov. 26, just in time for the first budget workshop of the season.