Lewisboro board OKs TextMyGov subscription for resident alerts, directing rollout and outreach

The Lewisboro Town Board voted July 13 to adopt a three‑year subscription to TextMyGov, a text‑based communications platform, at a cost of $7,000 per year.

The package was presented by town staff as a tool for outbound communications and resident reporting (e.g., pothole reports, event notices) and as a way to geofence alerts to specific areas. The presenter said department heads from police, parks and recreation, the town clerk’s office and finance reviewed demos and signaled support; the controller and department heads agreed to identify line‑item budget contributions to cover the subscription.

"It's a three‑year agreement, $7,000 a year," the presiding official said while describing the proposed contract and departmental participation. Board members discussed rollout strategy, including in‑person signups at community events, QR codes and ensuring residents can opt out if they prefer not to receive texts. Staff explained the vendor can support subgroups (department‑specific lists) and geofenced alerts—features the town could use for road closures and targeted notifications.

Members asked whether the board could commit to a single year; staff cautioned that vendor break‑even assumptions often favor multi‑year contracts but said departments had agreed to contribute funding if the board proceeded. The board approved the contract and asked staff to develop a public outreach and enrollment plan before wide rollout.

What’s next: Staff will coordinate department implementation, public outreach and an enrollment plan so residents understand opt‑in, opt‑out and subgroup choices before the service expands townwide.