BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM -- The town board is considering a couple different proposals from an outside firm to set up text notifications for local residents regarding town business.

The town council is expected to review and vote on one of the proposals at its meeting Tuesday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the town offices at 18 Elm Street.

According to the resolution on the meeting agenda, one proposal from the firm TextMyGov would require a $7,500 fee the first year and an annual fee of $5,000 thereafter. That option would allow the town to only send alerts by text messages to town residents.

The second proposal from the firm requires a first-year fee of $9,700 with an annual fee of $7,500. This option, while more expensive, allows more flexibility and interactivity. The proposal would allow citizens to ask questions by text message and receive auto responses based on key words in their initial text. It also allows citizens to report issues by text, and the town would be able to send alerts by text message under the proposal.

At the March 11 meeting the board will consider an agreement between the Town of Potsdam and the Village of Potsdam which would allow the village to provide the town with services of a special patrol officer from the Potsdam Police to ensure "a safe and orderly environment in its court and town hall with additional scope of duties and fees per the terms and conditions of the agreement."

Town council members and the supervisor will also consider approval of a renewal of insurance for the town of Potsdam with the New York State Reciprocal (NYMIR) for 2025-26.

The village did receive several bids to be able to supply the service and the NYMIR bid was lowest.

Also up for consideration is a resolution authorizing the town tax collector to mail a notice to each real property owner that a fee of $2 will be charged against each parcel which ends up requiring a second notice from the town to pay the taxes.

The board is also expected to hear updates on the Route 56 water and sewer districts from the C2Ae engineer, and about the Town of Potsdam's town-wide reassessment.

Finally, the board will move to executive session on March 11 to discuss the Teamster’s Local 687 Court Clerk negotiations and a legal matter regarding the Route 56 water and sewer.

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