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West Bath authorizes contingency funds to launch TextMyGov notification service
Summary
The Select Board approved using contingency funds to subscribe to TextMyGov, a customizable text-notification service; first-year setup is $5,250 (including $1,750 startup) and annual renewals would be $3,500. Board asked staff to manage signup and usage guidelines.
The West Bath Select Board on Jan. 15 authorized staff to move forward with a subscription to TextMyGov using contingency funds, after a member demonstrated the web-based service and reviewed costs.
The presenter told the board the first-year cost would be $5,250 including a $1,750 startup fee, and the annual fee thereafter would be $3,500. The service allows residents to sign up for specific town categories (for example, town hall notices, library or historical society updates) and also supports two-way text reports (residents can text issues such as a fallen tree on a local road). The system would require the town to provide a signup link and maintain guidelines about what the town will send.
A board member noted the county runs a separate emergency notification program intended for major emergencies; the presenter said TextMyGov is designed for targeted, customizable notices and is web-based with customer service included. The motion to authorize use of contingency funds was made, seconded and approved (transcript records approval; individual tallies not provided).
Public comment: Resident Nicholas H. said he viewed the service as redundant, noting existing 911 and social media channels and urging caution about adding another text channel: "text go is kind of a redundancy ... Please don't give us another text messaging thing." The board acknowledged that usage guidelines and opt-in signup would be needed.
Why it matters: A town-controlled text-notification tool could improve targeted resident outreach for emergencies and routine town information, but it carries subscription costs and requires policy decisions about message scope and moderation.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with the subscription using contingency funds, set up a signup link on the town website, and develop guidelines for what content will be sent.
