N. Hempstead recognized for constituent service

A government-management group has recognized the Town of North Hempstead for the system it uses to track constituent phone calls.

The International City/County Management Association, based in Washington, D.C., awarded certificates for performance measurement and management to 47 local governments throughout the country this year.

The group gave a “certificate of distinction” to North Hempstead for its TownStat program, which documents incoming calls and how the town addresses them.

Town officials have used the data to try to improve services. For instance, after an analysis showed that a service for the elderly was not being heavily used in Westbury, the town promoted it more in that area and participation shot up.

Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman said through the 311 system and TownStat, “we log in every call and can follow it through to completion.” He said the certificate affirmed his administration’s “focus on efficient, accountable and open government.”