MELVIN — The Melvin Village Board on Tuesday, Nov. 11, approved a new “text feature” to improve communication between the village and its residents, according to Village President Amber Hoffmann.
Through the text feature, residents will be able to text Village Hall and allow Village Hall to send out “mass-messaging for things like boil orders, street closures, event reminders, etc.,” Hoffmann said.
The village will sign a three-year contract to make it happen. Residents will receive marketing material explaining the full features, plus the “opt-in” process, Hoffmann said.
“Members of the community will need to opt in,” Hoffmann noted. “This opens the lines of communication and will allow community members to notify Village Hall immediately for things like water-main breaks, loose dogs, safety concerns or even ordinance violation notifications.”
Other business
In other news from the village board’s Nov. 11 meeting at Village Hall, as highlighted by Hoffmann:
— The village is making a “large investment” into its baseball field, Hunter’s Field, Hoffmann said. “We are hopeful this ball field will be renovated and up in time for the spring/summer season,” Hoffmann said.
— After what Hoffmann described as a “long process,” the board agreed to a new animal warden contract, which will be signed soon. “We are hopeful this will alleviate some of the loose dog/cat issues we have heard in town,” Hoffmann said. “This will also put control back in Melvin’s hands for situations that need more care, such as dog bites.”
— The board approved the purchase of new security cameras for the Village Hall. Hoffmann said there were “some concerns of the new locks not being as effective as intended.”
— The board agreed to seek applications from candidates interested in serving as the village’s water-meter reader. According to Hoffmann, the “last meter reader left without notice, so we are seeking to fill this position immediately.” The position requires the ability to walk six hours at a time on the last day of each month. Resumes can be emailed to the village clerk at melvinclerk1@gmail.com.