 Attention Assessors CMA/CAT credits (2.5 morning & 2.5 afternoon) for the GIS Sessions at the conference. |
2008 MMA Technology Conference
|
The information below will be the most current available. Updates and changes will be reflected on this page.
8:00-8:30 Registration
8:30-9:00 Welcome/Opening Remarks
Michael Starn, Director of Communications & Educational Services, Maine Municipal Association
Richard Thompson, Chief Information Officer, State of Maine9:15-10:30 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Elections & Voter Registration & Voter ID
Technology continues to dramatically affect the way people register to vote, how they vote, and as an emerging issue, how voter registration is authenticated on election day. Maine is looking at all these technological advancements regarding elections and voter registration.
Matt Dunlap, Maine Secretary of State
Is VoIP In Your Future?
You’ve seen the advertisements for this low-cost telephone service on television. Businesses and governments are also looking at the benefits of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Dennis Griffiths, Director of IP Communications, CBE Technologies
GIS Session #1
USGS Partnership Program - Funding Supports Local Data Projects
The US Geological Survey is the primary federal lead in the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). Major USGS led NSDI activities are the National Map, Geospatial One-Stop, the Federal Geographic Data Committee and the USGS NSDI Partnership Program. This presentation will provide information on funding available to towns from USGS for partnerships that support the ongoing development of the NSDI, USGS products and services and USGS science programs.
Dan Walters, Geospatial Liaison for Maine, USGSCreating an Integrated Land Records Information System (ILRIS) for Maine
The Maine GeoLibrary Board recently selected the James W. Sewall Company to enhance the State’s geospatial strategic plan and to develop a framework for an Integrated Land Records Information System for the State of Maine. This effort will design a system to link assessment, surveying, deed information, and other pertinent parcel-related information into a cohesive system that will provide significant benefits to the entire state.
As part of this process, the Board is soliciting input from Municipal Governments from across the state on what benefits they would like to see from an Integrated Land Records Information System and how they feel it could be best developed. This will be an interactive session in which the group will have a chance to learn about the project from the Sewall Team as well as an opportunity to listen to ideas and issues facing this challenging effort. Please come, join in the discussion, and help to shape the future of GIS in Maine!Bruce Oswald, Vice President-Public Sector Geospatial Solutions, James W. Sewall, Co.
Representative, Maine’s Geolibrary Board10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-12:00 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Document Management & Computer Security
Electronic document management has enormous potential for local and state government entities. But, there is more to the process than simply making an electronic copy of what would otherwise be a paper document. Electronic document management also increases the demand for and interest in computer security systems.
Larry Cushing, IT PartnersElectronic Banking & Financial Transactions
Where are electronic banking and online financial transactions headed? Are Maine municipalities fully utilizing the services that financial institutions offer? Are there financial benefits with these services? Is your money safe? These questions and others are the focus of this session.
James Edwards, TD Banknorth
John Quartararo, KeyBankGIS Session #2
Practical Uses of GIS in Assessing
The Town of Bethel, on a limited budget, linked the town’s Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) system (in this case, TRIO), the town’s digital tax parcels and its GIS. The presentation will be oriented to Assessors or anyone else who works with assessing information and will include a demonstration of ESRIs ArcExplorer software – no prior knowledge of GIS is required.
Sarah S. Tucker, Assessing Assistant-GIS Technician, Town of Bethel
William Van Tuinen, Assessors Agent, Van Tuinen AssociatesPublic Participation GIS
Have you wondered how to use the GIS data you have? Have you thought there must be a better way to involve people in the planning process? In this presentation we will take a look at current methods for applying map information to various planning issues. We will survey methods for reaching out to a wider audience, focusing on those methods that involve visualization of alternatives.
Judy Colby-George, Principal, Spatial Alternatives
Alternative GIS Technology for Small Municipalities [updated 2/22/08]
While most municipal governments appreciate the benefits of GIS, access to the required technology as traditionally been limited to more prosperous communities. During this presentation, we will briefly look at one example of a small town's efforts to build and manage their GIS with relatively inexpensive, off-the-shelf tools.
12:00-1:15 Luncheon: Technology & Public Records
Somewhat under the radar screen in technology advancement is its affect on public records. Requests for emails and other types of electronic documents from state and local governments are being made under Maine’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Are you prepared to respond?
Guest Speaker: Chris Leighton, Deputy AG/Chief of Operations, Office of Maine Attorney General [updated 2/11/08]
1:15-2:30 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Do’s and Don’ts of Technology Buying
There are so many new computer gadgets, new versions of software, and other products/services being touted as “cutting edge,” what’s a government purchasing official to do? This session looks at the “do’s” and “don’ts” of technology buying.
Richard Thompson, CIO, State of Maine
Bruce Harrington, Efficiency MaineInteractive Websites
Governmental websites do not have to be static. They can be used for e-commerce, to conduct public opinion surveys, to broadcast council meetings, or to do any of a number of other “interactive” things. This session explores the possibilities.
Ross Heupel, GovOffice
Lesley McCaw, Maine.govGIS Session #3
Best Practices in Building Statewide GIS Collaboration
Carl Nylen, State and Local Government Account Manager, ESRI
How Can GIS Educational Programs Better Serve Municipal Employees?
Six Maine colleges and universities are collaborating on an effort to reshape GIS education in the state to better serve the needs of the state's workforce, and we need to hear from you. How can college GIS courses and workshops be more accessible and relevant to the needs of municipal employees in Maine, both now and in the future? This discussion is a chance to have a direct impact on new programs, helping us to design schedules, class formats, and curriculum to directly meet your needs. Come and let your voice be heard.
Tora Johnson, Director-Instructor, GIS Service Center and Laboratory, University of Maine at Machias
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-3:30 CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Broadband Access for All Mainers?
Broadband access is a critical part of Maine’s telecommunications infrastructure. Grants are available to help communities. This session will discuss the grant program and provide an update on how close Maine is to universal broadband access.
Phillip Lindley, ConnectME Authority
GIS Session #4
The E911 Program: An Overview and Why Ongoing Local Input is Crucial
Bob White, E911 Spatial Database Manager, State of Maine – Office of Information Technology
Managing GIS for Stormwater Applications
With vague standards and increased pressures from regulatory agencies to develop datasets and manage information, data management planning and efficient workflow processes are becoming staple concepts for the municipal GIS user to encompass. Recently, requirements for stormwater mapping and management have fueled the need for such planning and organization in the municipal GIS infrastructure.
Andrew Land, GIS Specialist, Ransom Environmental Consultants, Inc.
3:35-4:30 Maine GIS User Group (MGUG) Business Meeting