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June 3, 2004

Township Website Serves as Central Resource for Events, Organizations

Keeping up-to-date and in-the-know about Woodbridge is a mere keystroke away since the introduction of an online community calendar accessible via the township's public web site.

In the two months following its debut in April, the calendar has become a thriving community bulletin board listing everything from church fairs, flea markets and art openings to youth sporting events, pet adoption days, and health clinics.

"The online calendar is designed to keep residents better informed about their community," says Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. "We are always looking for innovative ways to extend municipal government services so residents obtain additional benefits, and this calendar does exactly that."

Councilwoman Caroline Ehrlich initiated the calendar concept to help non-profit organizations reach a wider segment of the public and to let township residents learn more about opportunities for community involvement. "Woodbridge is such an active, vibrant township," she says, "that a clearinghouse of this kind helps publicize events while preventing groups from double-booking their events and competing against each other."

The calendar design was developed by Chief Information Officer Michael Esolda and his Information Services staff. "Residents can list any one-time community event in the township for free," he says. "All requests must be less than 20 words, include the name of a contact person and phone number and be submitted on the organization's official letterhead."

The versatile calendar format permits users to search by date or by event title or description. As a bonus, the event is also listed on WTT-35, the township's television channel. "As more people use the calendar, it will become an important medium of exchange between community groups and their constituents," says Mayor Pelzman.

The Woodbridge Township Community Calendar is online at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.