Mobile version of city hall hits street

In an effort to improve constituent services, the city of Boston has unveiled a converted police van that will visit neighborhoods so that residents may conduct business that might otherwise require a trip to city hall.

Katharine Lusk, an advisor to Mayor Thomas Menino, described the program, known as “City Hall To Go,” as the first of its kind in the nation.

Lusk said that the van, which debuted in early December but will not be in full service until spring, is designed in particular to reach out to residents who lack Internet service or speak limited English. The van is equipped with wireless Internet access and will include staff who can help residents with a wide array of questions.

The van already offers roughly 20 services. Residents may pay property and excise taxes, dispute parking tickets, request a birth, death, marriage or residency certificate, get a library card that would enable remote access to library databases, and register to vote.

Residents also can visit the van to address issues or problems in their neighborhoods. More services could be added, Lusk said, based on residents’ needs.

“We want to know where and when we can be most helpful,” Lusk said.

“City Hall To Go,” inspired in part by the popularity of food trucks in the city, emerged from a brainstorming session with Menino in July, according to Lusk. The idea was also put forth by residents as part of the “Mayors Challenge” competition, which attempts to develop local solutions to national problems.