Town Upgrading Computer, Phone Systems

The Town of Clayton is in the process of upgrading its computer and telephone systems in an effort to speed up services and offer residents more services over the internet.

Once completed, the upgrades to the computer system will allow town departments to communicate with each other much better through a central database, plus allow residents to do things such as pay bills, obtain utilities service, obtain permits and licenses and communicate with the town about needs and problems on-line. The town will also have the capability to add other services on-line in the future.

“With Clayton growing like it has, we've outgrown our old computer system,” explained Deputy Town Manger Nancy Medlin.

The lease on the town's present telephone system has expired, so telephones are being included in the upgrade.

“We need to keep up with technology,” she said.

The telephone component of the $823,000 project should be completed by the end of summer, she said, and the computer upgrade will be phased in over the next year.