PeabodyConnect App Awarded State Technology Honor

PEABODY, MA — PeabodyConnect — the city's new mobile app that attracted more than 4,000 users in the first two months since its launch in July — was recognized with a Massachusetts Excellence in Technology Award at the 29th Annual Massachusetts Digital Government Summit.

Mayor Ted Bettencourt heralded the app as a way for residents to easily pay municipal bills, report problems such as potholes and downed tree branches, and find information on public meetings and community events.

"Our goal with PeabodyConnect is to make it easier for taxpayers to receive the high-quality municipal services that they expect," Bettencourt said. "The app has been very well received by the public and we certainly appreciate the statewide recognition. It's a work in progress, however, and it will continue to evolve to meet the needs of Peabody residents and business owners."

The city received a $50,000 state IT grant and contracted with Bluestone Apps to design and build PeabodyConnect.

It is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese and can be downloaded free of charge from Google Play and the App Store.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)