BOOKMARK IT: Northville Twp. moves to new digital home

Northville Township is moving to a new digital home today 9Tuesday, Oct. 280, introducing a trusted and modern online identity that better represents its official government status and commitment to digital security.

The Township’s new website will be www.NorthvilleTownshipMI.gov, and departments and employee email addresses will follow the new format: Department@NorthvilleTownshipMI.gov and firstinitiallastname@NorthvilleTownshipMI.gov.

“The switch to a ‘.gov’ domain is more than a new address, it’s an investment in trust,” said Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo. “When residents see a ‘.gov’ address, they know they’re communicating with a verified government source.

“This move ensures our residents can connect with confidence, knowing their information is protected and their government is accountable.”

.gov sites managed with high security

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) manages the “.gov” domain registry, which is reserved exclusively for verified U.S. government entities.

The federal agency reports that government-themed email scams are one of the most common forms of phishing, with millions of malicious messages sent daily to mislead recipients into thinking they’re interacting with legitimate government organizations.

The “.gov” designation helps combat that problem by giving residents a reliable way to identify authentic communications from Northville Township.

Township Manager Glenn Caldwell said the transition underscores Northville Township’s proactive approach to modernization.

‘Important milestone’

“This is an important milestone in our digital journey,” Caldwell said. “It reflects our ongoing efforts to improve communication, strengthen cybersecurity and enhance the user experience for our residents and businesses. It’s one more way we’re building a Township that is responsive, efficient and secure.”

The Township’s new domain name, NorthvilleTownshipMI.gov, was selected based on federal domain guidelines and input from staff, who wanted an easier address to say to callers while helping them on the phone. While the capitalization isn’t required, the Township will use NorthvilleTownshipMI.gov in written materials because it’s visually clear and professional in both print and digital settings.

Northville Township’s Information Technology & Communications (ITaC) Department will manage the transition, updating digital platforms, letterhead and email signatures.

Residents will still be able to access the Township’s current website and email addresses for an extended period while the changeover occurs.

‘Cybersecurity is a daily priority’

“Cybersecurity is a daily priority,” said IT & Communications Director Shaun Nicoloff.

“Moving to a ‘.gov’ domain instantly signals authenticity. It also gives us access to federal-level tools and protections that strengthen our defenses against phishing and spoofing attacks. This change makes Northville Township safer online, both for our team and for our residents.”

The established websites for Northville Parks & Recreation and the Northville Youth Network will remain the same, continuing to end in “.org,” but staff email addresses within those departments will also transition to @NorthvilleTownshipMI.gov.

Residents are encouraged to bookmark www.NorthvilleTownshipMI.gov starting Oct. 28 and update their contact lists with the new addresses as they appear.

“This new digital home is simple, secure and clear,” Abbo said. “It’s a reflection of who we are as a community—modern, transparent and ready for the future.”