Survey Response: Replace Nixle With Another Service

The results are in.

Of the 227 people who voted on whether the township should keep Nixle, a text- and email-notification system, 49 percent, or 111 people, said they want the township to find a less expensive alternative for notifying residents about township matters.

Gregg Adams,  assistant planner in the Community Development Department, told the township commissioners on Wednesday night that 32 percent, or 73 people, want the township to keep Nixle. He said 19 percent, or 43 people, want the township to drop the service altogether.

The township can use Nixle to inform subscribers about township water department projects, crime watch matters and refuse and recycling collections.

The township has used it about six times in the past four months, mostly for traffic and community matters, such as notifying residents about road closures, the Nixle charge, changes in the crime watch meeting dates and a refuse/recycling delay. No police alerts were listed in that time period.

Township officials decided to take the on-line poll as a way to gauge the value of the system to residents. Of the 1,509 people who use the service, 15 percent responded.

The service has been free, but according to information on the township website, Nixle will continue to only offer free "alerts" and will charge the township $1,495 for the first year for other notification services, and $3,000 to $4,000 for subsequent years of service.  The township, not subscribers, would pay the fee.

Adams said township staffers are looking into the cost of a replacement service.