Town of Wrentham Launches Online Permitting System
Wrentham’s new online permitting system will be live and ready for public use starting July 1.
The new online permitting system means town residents will be able to apply for building permits, file Title V plans, and submit food service applications from their home, job site, or even while on vacation.
“By making more of our permitting and application process available through a user-friendly app, it will be easier and faster for residents and business owners to conduct business with the Town of Wrentham,” Town Manager Kevin Sweet said in a statement. “This new expanded online system will also allow our town employees to process permits faster and reduce duplicative paperwork, among other efficiencies.”
The new system, called OpenGov, will replace the existing, limited permitting system that was launched in 2018. The current system only handles permitting needs with the Building Department. The new OpenGov system will expand online permitting to the following town departments:
• Building
• Board of Health
• Conservation
• DPW
• Fire
• Planning
• Select Board
• Zoning
The OpenGov program will allow the town of Wrentham to electronically receive applications, collect online payments, conduct inspections, and issue permits, among other transactions. The cloud-based platform also means town employees across different departments can access the same files, and view real-time status updates, whether in the office or in the field.
The Building Department began handling permitting through the OpenGov app on June 13, with other municipal departments going live later in the month.
Sweet said the team chose the OpenGov system following a comprehensive review of alternative platforms, as well as votes of confidence from other municipalities that already use the OpenGov system. Residents and business owners will still have the option of coming to Town Hall to conduct their business, Sweet said.
Funding to implement the new system is largely coming from a $171,613 Community Compact Cabinet Information Technology grant awarded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The town of Wrentham will provide additional information about the new platform rollout in the coming weeks, including a more comprehensive list of the types of transactions possible through OpenGov. Sweet said he appreciates the patience among the town’s residents and business owners as the new online permitting system is rolled out.