Weston residents can receive emergency and public safety updates by text message and email through a free notification service available on the city’s website.
City officials discussed the notification system during the Monday, Aug. 10, Board of Aldermen meeting following a recent water service interruption that highlighted the need to reach residents quickly.
To enroll, visit westonmo.us and select “City Notification Sign Up” under the Residents or Community menu. The link directs users to Platte County Connection, where they can choose the types of messages they want to receive.
Available notifications include updates from Weston City Hall, the Weston Police Department, Public Works, the Water Department and Weston Parks and Recreation. Subscribers may also select Platte County public safety alerts and automated National Weather Service warnings.
City Clerk Sherry Mers said residents must opt in to receive the electronic alerts. Anyone may register, including people whose cellphone numbers have area codes from outside the region.
The city currently uses a combination of social media, TextCaster notifications and automated telephone calls during emergencies. Aldermen expressed support for continuing those methods instead of purchasing TextMyGov, a separate notification service that would cost $6,750 during the first year and $4,500 annually after that.
Mers said TextMyGov would largely duplicate services already available to the city. By comparison, Platte County Connection is free, and the city’s automated calling system can be used as needed for less than $200 per callout.
Automated calls are generally sent to telephone numbers associated with municipal water accounts. The city has added the ability to include secondary numbers, which could help notify tenants and other occupants who are not listed as the utility account holder.
Residents should also review the back of their water bills, where the city publishes information about notifications and other municipal services.
Officials are developing a written emergency communication procedure that would identify different levels of incidents, who is responsible for issuing alerts and which communication methods should be used. Mayor Kim Kirby said the procedure could be completed within the next month or so.
The plan is also expected to address notifications to senior housing, apartment managers and lodging operators. Officials said property owners who rent rooms or operate lodging businesses should ensure guests receive emergency information.
Alderman Jerry Gross said electronic alerts should supplement, not replace, neighbors checking on one another, particularly residents who may not use cellphones or social media.
