Jul 29, 2015 2 min read

McMURRAY – Peters Township Council is going mobile.

Council approved a two-year contract at its Monday meeting with Public Stuff of San Ramon, Calif., for a citizen request management system, a move that will allow the township to upgrade its existing system.

“We have been using E-Gov Link since 2005 and while the product has done an adequate job of allowing residents to report issues, make comments and interact with staff, it lacks some features to really enhance and improve the citizen experience,” said Tom Gromek, assistant to the township manager. “Specifically, we were looking for a system to allow residents to submit issues from their smartphones in addition to their computers at home.”

The new product, which is available at the user’s app store, is free and can be downloaded within a matter of minutes onto a smartphone, tablet or home computer. Users will have the convenience of snapping a photo from their phone and emailing it to the township within seconds, Gromek said.

The app should be ready by fall, he said.

“This app will be able to track the user’s location as well, if desired, speeding up the process along with pinpointing exactly where the issue is,” he said. “For example, if a resident spots a pothole in need of repair on a township road, he or she can take a photo of the pothole, submit the request via the app, and it will be directed to our public works director via email in a matter of seconds.”

Gromek said the goal is to make interaction between township staff and residents as efficient as possible. Residents will be able to track their request and also see all requests for service.

“This keeps residents more informed on the work the township staff is doing out in the community and keeps township staff more accountable,” he said.

Peters’ Citizen Action Line has been on the township home page for 10 years and will remain in place for the time being.