Residents
who spot a pothole, an unshoveled sidewalk, a burned out streetlight or other
quality of life issues in Somerville can now report those issues to the City
immediately, along with a photograph, using the Commonwealth Connect smartphone
app.
Somerville
has already received national recognition for the City’s 311 customer service
helpline. With the addition of the Commonwealth Connect smartphone app, created
by the City of Boston with the company SeeClickFix and funded by a state grant,
it becomes even easier to report issues to the City and have those issues
promptly addressed.
Residents
can download the app for both iPhone and Android phones and, after taking a few
seconds to create an account using their email address, can report quality of
life issues such as graffiti, sidewalk problems, damaged signs or roadways that
need plowing or sanding
The
app is available in the iTunes App store for iPhones or Google Play Store for
Android by searching for “Commonwealth Connect.” Direct links to the app are
available here: iTunes
and Google
Play Store.
Residents
may input a description of the issue and document it with a photo. The app will
automatically locate where the resident is using the app, or residents can
adjust the location of the issue. Each submitted report will then automatically
create a work order that will be submitted to the proper City of Somerville
department, and residents can track the progress of each work order through the
app and the SeeClickFix website.
“This
is a tremendous benefit to our residents. Efficient delivery of services and
open, transparent governments are two key values in the City of Somerville,” said
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “This app helps us accomplish both those goals and
connects our residents with City services and information they need. It’s
another step toward empowering our residents and engaging them in caring for
the neighborhoods that form the heart of our community.”
Commonwealth
Connect was developed by the City of Boston’s office of New Urban Mechanics
with SeeClickFix under the name “Citizens Connect” in 2009. With the support of
a Community Innovation Challenge Grant from the Patrick Administration, Boston
launched Commonwealth Connect in January, and is providing more than 50 Massachusetts
communities free use of the app for the next three years.
“The
Patrick Administration is committed to providing communities with tools and
resources to improve the delivery of services our citizens want,” said
Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor. “Commonwealth Connect is
just one more example of how we are creating innovative ways to empower the
people of Massachusetts to build stronger and safer communities."
“The
fact that Commonwealth Connect app will immediately create a work order when a
report is submitted is a huge lift for our residents and for 311,” said
Somerville Director of Constituent Services Steve Craig. “We will be able to
respond to issues even faster and our work will be transparent thanks to the
ability of residents to track the work order’s progress. We’re excited to put
this tool in residents’ pockets to keep Somerville clean, safe and beautiful.
App
on iTunes for iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/commonwealth-connect/id585785702?mt=8
App
on Google Play Store for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.cityofboston.commonwealthconnect
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