Rostraver board to consider buying text-alert system
The Rostraver Township Board of Commissioners also provided an update on construction of a pickleball court.
A new text-alert system may be coming to Rostraver Township.
During Wednesday’s work session, the board of commissioners discussed the new system.
Township Manager Jeffrey Keffer presented a plan by TextMyGov, a service that helps communities and counties communicate with citizens via text messages.
“It’s a way to communicate with the residents, right from us, because we have nothing right now, other than mailing,” said board Chairman Jeffrey Johnson. “So it’s really just an app that allows us to send text messages, notices, and canvas the entire township.”
The use of TextMyGov would require individual citizens to sign up for the system.
The board is going to research costs related to acquiring TextMyGov, but is hoping to find other systems for a cheaper price. During the board discussion, Keffer said to set up the system it would be an initial $3,000 fee and the township would have to pay an annual fee of $6,715 after it is set up.
The board agreed to try to find a cheaper alternative by the next regular voting meeting, but also acknowledged that it would be helpful to have such a system in place for the future.
Keffer said the system would be a way to let residents know about upcoming events in the township for the holidays and other information.
New pickleball court
The board also discussed progress on a pickleball court near the John DiVirgilio Sports Complex. The sport has become more popular across the country and board members are excited to have it coming to the township.
Johnson and Keffer said construction just began and the court should be completed within two months.
“It’s a big outcry from the public, a lot of the residents wanted it,” Johnson said. “It’s growing. It’s growing across the United States. It’s huge. Now people love it. There’s a bunch of courts out in Mingo Park.”
In other business, the board also discussed how PennDOT is replacing a pedestrian bridge that goes over I-70.
According to Keffer, the bridge connects both sides of Pricedale and has been kept open for residents to walk across.
