STONINGTON — For those looking for information on Stonington’s town services, seeking updates on important emergency weather notifications or other local information, there’s now an app for that.
Following in the footsteps of neighboring communities, Stonington launched its own town mobile app earlier this month which is designed to help keep residents informed and give them instant access to town information.
“It is important to make sure residents and business owners have the information they need readily available,” said First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough. “One example of an alert it can offer, over Labor Day weekend, we were able to put out an alert to let people know that trash would be delayed. That is the type of thing that can be helpful for residents as they download the app.”
The new app, which was launched earlier this month and is available for download on Google Play and Apple App stores, is the latest in a series of efforts by town officials designed to enhance public access and participation to town government. According to a release on the town’s website, the app also includes other features such as a link to the town calendar, instant notifications from the National Weather Service and numerous features to make sharing and obtaining information regarding the town easier.
Chesebrough said the app was an idea that came from the town’s Emergency Management Director, Stonington Police Capt. Brian Schneider. She said while discussing ways to expand communication beyond the town’s reverse emergency alert system, Everbridge, he brought up the app as a safe, successful “opt-in” way to expand communications with the public.
“After some research, we found that having an app had proven to be worthwhile for Westerly and many other municipalities,” Chesebrough explained. “It seemed with their success and our desire to expand communications, this was an opportunity to take another step forward.”
Following research, the town decided to contract OCV, LLC, to build an app through TheGovApp.com. OVC has been an industry leader in mobile app development for law enforcement, public safety, municipalities, emergency management agencies and public health departments for over the past decade.
“Our custom apps for iPhone and Android devices help organizations reach their citizens where they are: their smartphones,” the company advertises on its website.
The app cost the town $14,000 to purchase and install, including maintenance for the first year, which was absorbed by a cost-sharing plan that saw each department provide a portion of their existing budget to reduce impact. The Stonington Police Department contributed the largest share, Chesebrough noted.
The annual maintenance and licensing, an estimated $4,000 to $5,000, will be paid for in future years through the town’s annual budget.
In the coming months, Chesebrough said the town is seeking to have residents download the app and provide feedback on ways to improve or what the app could also offer. The app is available through stores, or can also be downloaded from the town’s website, stonington-ct.gov, by pulling up and scanning the provided QR code.
Chesebrough said the town is also open to other ideas on how it can continue to expand communication and improve public participation.
“This is only part of that ongoing effort to keep improving communications with residents, and we certainly welcome feedback on further ways we can do that,” she said.
