If you are looking for more information about the municipality, please visit the official municipal website at www.rutlandtown.com. The purpose of this social media platform is to provide general public information only. If you require a response from the municipality or wish to request a municipal service, please visit www.rutlandtown.com or contact the municipality at 802-773-2528 or [email protected]. If you believe that any material on the Town of Rutland’s official website or municipal social media platforms infringes on any copyright which you own or control, or that any link on municipal social media directs users to another website that contains material that infringes on any copyright that you own or control, you may file a notification of such infringement with the Town Administrator. Notifications of claimed copyright infringement must be sent to the Town of Rutland, Vermont’s designated agent, for notice of claims of copyright infringement. The municipality’s designated agent may be reached as follows:
Town Administrator, Bill Sweet
181 Business Route 4 Center Rutland, VT 05736
802-773-2528
[email protected]
Terms of Use
The purpose of this site is to discuss matters of public interest in and to the municipality and fire department as identified and raised by the municipality or fire department. We encourage the general public to submit content, but it must address the specific topic(s) discussed. This is a forum limited to the specific topics identified and raised by the municipality or fire department. By virtue of such use, users who submit content to this social media platform agree that they have read, understand, and agree to the following terms and conditions:
1. I am submitting content voluntarily and on my own behalf;
2. The content I post reflects my own original thoughts or work;
3. I understand that the municipality has the right to re-post or share any content that I submit on this or other municipal social media;
4. I have read and understand the policy, including the right of the municipality to remove or archive content as described in this policy and as may be allowed by law;
5. I understand that any content I provide will be considered a public record under Vermont’s Public Records Law;
6. I understand and agree that, unless specifically identified as a resource for receiving requests for information under Vermont’s Public Records Law, municipal social media platforms are not proper vehicles for making requests for public information or public records under Vermont law, and any such requests must be made to the appropriate custodian of the record(s);
7. I understand and agree that my and others’ content is subject to removal, in whole or in part, from this site if my or their content violates the conditions of this policy;
8. I understand that the views and content expressed on this site only reflect those of the content’s author, and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the municipality or its municipal officials;
9. I agree to the following waiver of liability: Because various laws exist that create liability for various actions, including but without limitation defamation, invasion of privacy, false light, breach of contract, procurement violations, violations of due process among many potential areas of exposure for which the municipality accepts no responsibility based on the actions of others or for creating this municipal social media platform, I, for myself, successors and assigns, release and hold harmless and agree to indemnify the municipality, including its municipal officials, from any and all actions, claims, liabilities and damages of whatever kind and nature that arise out of or are in connection with my use of the municipal social media platform. By posting, sharing, distributing, or transmitting content, I acknowledge that I understand and accept these terms of use. The municipality is interested in hearing the opinions of the public. Vigorous, constructive conversations are encouraged through posted and created content. The municipality does not discriminate based on viewpoint, but it may remove content and restrict access to users who violate this policy. The municipality reviews content on all its limited public forum social media platforms. All users must clearly identify themselves; anonymous posting is not allowed. Content created, posted, shared, or transmitted by a member of the public on any municipal social media platform is their opinion only. Publication of content does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the municipality, nor does such content necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the municipality. The municipality is not responsible for content that appears on external links. The municipality does not guarantee the authenticity, accuracy, appropriateness, or security of posted hyperlinks, external websites, or content linked thereto and assumes no liability for damages resulting from reliance upon or accessing such content. The municipality reserves the right to delete links and embedded content that violate this policy. Content posted by authorized municipal officials or the general public shall conform to this policy, including comments or hyperlinks to other content. The following prohibited content shall not be permitted on any municipal social media and shall be subject to removal by the municipal social media moderator:
• profane, obscene, sexual, or pornographic language or images;
• content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination based on race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation;
• solicitations of commerce, including advertising of any business or product for sale;
• links to any unauthorized site or content;
• the promotion or endorsement of a political campaign or candidate;
• personally identifiable information or sensitive personal information that, if released, violates federal or state law;
• disruptively repetitive content;
• conduct or encouragement of illegal activity;
• information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems;
• information that directly interferes with or compromises ongoing investigations, public safety tactics, or the safety of public safety officers;
• malicious or harmful software (malware);
• defamatory or personal attacks;
• threats of violence or threats to public safety;
• confidential, private, or exempt information or records as defined by state or federal law;
• conduct that violates any federal, state, or local law;
• copyrighted materials in violation of state of federal law; or
• content that is clearly unrelated to the subject matter of any post made on the platform by or on behalf of the municipality. The municipal social media moderator is authorized to remove content or links that do not conform with the requirements of this policy in a viewpoint neutral and consistent manner. The municipality will not edit or delete any content unless authorized by this policy or allowed by law. Users should understand that third parties having control of a social media platform may edit or delete content independently of the municipality and without the consent, authority, or control of the municipality. Users who violate this policy may be temporarily or permanently restricted from accessing municipal social media. The municipality reserves the right to deny any user who repeatedly violates this policy access to posting to municipal social media. To appeal the editing or removal of content or the restriction of access to a municipal social media platform, the user must submit a written statement to the municipal social media moderator. The statement should provide grounds for reinstatement of access to or right to publish the edited or removed content. Requests will be addressed in a reasonably timely manner; content or access, as applicable, will be restored if it is determined that the grounds for reinstatement are sufficient. A statement that the user will abide by this policy in the future may be sufficient. The municipal social media moderator’s decision to an appeal will note the basis for the decision. If the user is unsatisfied with the decision, they may appeal to the Selectboard, who will render a reasonable timely response noting the basis for the decision. The decision by Selectboard shall be the final administrative decision of the municipality. Users may contact the municipal social media moderator at any time to identify content or other conduct on the municipal social media that violates this policy. Users should avoid and ignore responding to content in violation of this policy, or, if responding, do so in a manner that conforms with this policy. All content posted to any municipal social media platform is bound by that platform’s applicable statement of rights and responsibilities or terms of service. The municipality reserves the right to report any violation of that platforms or site’s statement of rights and responsibilities or terms of service to the platforms or site’s provider with the intent of the provider taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.
