Stonington Launches Local News App for Apple and Android Devices

STONINGTON — For those looking for information about Stonington city services, up-to-date information on important weather alerts or other local information, there is now an app available.

Following the lead of neighboring communities, Stonington launched its own city-owned mobile app earlier this month to help residents stay informed and access city information at a glance.

“It’s important for residents and business owners to have the information they need readily available,” said First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough. “One example of what an alert can offer was over Labor Day weekend, when we were able to send out an alert to let people know their trash pickup would be delayed. That’s the type of thing that can be helpful for residents when they download the app.”

The new app, which launched earlier this month and is available for download in the Google Play and Apple App stores, is the latest in a series of moves by city officials to increase public access and participation in city government. According to a release on the city’s website, the app also includes other features, such as a link to the city calendar, instant notifications from the National Weather Service and numerous features that make it easier to share and obtain information about the city.

Chesebrough said the app was the brainchild of the city’s emergency management director, Stonington Police Capt. Brian Schneider. She said that during discussions about ways to expand communications beyond the city’s Everbridge emergency alert system, he mentioned the app as a safe, effective, “opt-in” way to expand communications with the public.

“After doing some research, we found that having an app was a viable option for Westerly and many other municipalities,” Chesebrough explained. “It seemed like, with their success and our desire to expand communication, this was an opportunity to take it a step further.”

After conducting research, the city decided to hire OCV, LLC to build the app through TheGovApp.com. OVC has been an industry leader in building mobile apps for law enforcement, public safety, municipalities, emergency management agencies and public health departments for over a decade.

“Our iPhone and Android apps help organizations reach their citizens where they are: on their smartphones,” the company advertises on its website.

The app cost the city $14,000 to purchase and install, including maintenance for the first year, which was paid for through a cost-sharing plan in which each department contributed a portion of its existing budget to reduce the impact. The Stonington Police Department contributed the most, Chesebrough noted.

Annual maintenance and licensing costs are estimated to be between $4,000 and $5,000 and will be covered in future years from the city’s annual budget.

In the coming months, Chesebrough said the city wants residents to download the app and provide feedback on ways to improve it or what the app could also offer. The app is available in stores or can also be downloaded from the city’s website, stonington-ct.gov, by downloading and scanning the QR code provided.

Chesebrough said the city is also open to other ideas on how to further expand communication and improve public participation.

“This is just part of our ongoing efforts to improve communication with residents and we certainly welcome feedback on how we can further achieve this,” she said.