WATERVILLE — Residents who want to be notified by the city in the event of emergencies and other events can sign up for notices to be sent to them by email, text message, pager or voicemail alert, according to City Manager Bryan Kaenrath.

Kaenrath announced at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that as part of the system, Waterville residents can choose categories for which they want to receive alerts, including severe weather advisories; parking bans; traffic advisories, such as road closures; updates on the Ticonic Bridge replacement project; and notices for trash and recycling, including holiday trash pickup schedules.

Residenrs can also choose to receive notices on city events, such as City Hall office closures, City Council and Planning Board meetings, due dates for tax payments and dog licenses, election updates and notifications and events at the Quarry Road Recreation Area.

“The launch of this notification system is a large part of the city’s efforts to provide information to its citizens and visitors alike,” Kaenrath said. “Please sign up. It’s a great new notification system to get all kinds of information about the city, and we look forward to having some good enrollment there.”

He said those wanting to register for the service can do so at waterville-me.myfreealerts.com.

The registration site says the emergency alerts could be about specific hazards that require action, such as evacuation, shelter-in-place and boil-water orders.

Nonemergency alerts could be about significant transportation problems or police or fire activity.

While the alert service is free, standard text messaging rates and other charges might apply, according to the registration instructions.

The city partnered with CivicReady Notification System, part of CivicPlus Platform, to develop the mass notification system, according to Kaenrath.

City officials have long discussed the need for such a notification system and vowed to develop one after a fatal fire in May at Elm Towers, a senior living complex at 60 Elm St., and the resulting firefighting foam got into the drinking water system due to a backflow issue.

Weeks before the apartment fire, officials had talked about needing an alert system.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Waterville murderer appeals conviction, lawyer says police improperly entered apartment

Next »

Franklin County Commissioners approve interviews to find a contractor, open sealed fee envelopes