Shamong Township will unveil a new notification system this month that will better its ability to communicate with residents, according to township administrator Sue Onorato.
Burlington County offered CodeRED to the township at no cost as a shared service. The new system offers the ability to add multiple phone numbers per address so residents can get important messages sent to their cell phones or mobile devices via text and e-mail messages.
Onorato said the township anticipates having CodeRED up and running by the end of September. Any e-mail notifications sent by the township will be delivered on both the current and CodeRED resident notification systems through Oct. 31, to allow residents sufficient time to sign up for the CodeRED system. On Nov. 1, the township’s previous e-mail notification system will be retired completing the transition to CodeRED. “We ask for the residents’ patience and understanding since they could receive duplicate notifications from the township during this time,” Onorato said.
The CodeRED system will function in the same fashion as the current system, once it is up and running, Onorato said. Non-urgent notices such as rabies clinics or tax bill due dates will be sent via e-mail and/or text messages. Phone calls will be used for urgent matters such as hurricane preparedness, winter storms warnings and forest fires. Onorato knows word of mouth is the best way residents will learn of the new system.
“We urge all our residents to share this information with their neighbors, families and friends in hopes of having every household sign up for this service. The CodeRED system came preloaded with landline phone numbers for Shamong Township,” Onorato said. “We are aware many families have chosen to eliminate their household landline. Households who have eliminated their landline will not receive important township notices to ensure their health, safety and welfare without signing up for this service.”
Onorato said the township is hopeful most residents will take advantage of the service.
“All families are urged to ensure they sign up at least one valid phone number and e-mail address at a minimum,” Onorato said. “Our goal has always been to use our resident notification system to effectively communicate with our residents.”
Residents can register for the new system by visiting the township’s website at www.shamong.net. On the homepage, residents can sign up for CodeRED by clicking where designated and following the instructions. Residents will have the ability to add multiple phone numbers and e-mail addresses to ensure township notifications follow them wherever they go.
