By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Aiming to keep township residents informed — whether it is a change in the recycling pickup schedule or a health emergency — Lawrence Township is preparing to set up a “reverse 911” call system, according to Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun.
The target date to implement the reverse 911 system is July 1, Mr. Krawczun said. It will be managed by the Mahwah-based Swiftreach Networks, at an annual cost of about $7,500.
Township residents may register up to four means of communication — telephone, cell phone, e-mail or text message — with the company, he said. Residents would be able to register on the company’s website.
”We can use it for an emergency, plus other public notification,” Mr. Krawczun said. “This allow us to call people to make an announcement if there is a snow emergency and the trash collection schedule has to be changed, or if recycling has to be changed because of some event.”
It would also allow the township to let residents know if there is a rabid animal on the loose, or if there is a health emergency and residents need to boil water before using it, he said. The Trenton Water Works experienced a problem and township residents had to boil water last year. Notification was made by Mercer County’s reverse 911 system.
Mr. Krawczun noted that the township would still make use of Mercer County’s reverse 911 system. The county system is implemented at Lawrence Township officials’ request, he said.
”We are doing this (ourselves) because it will give us more control over being able to send out information in an emergency, and to notify residents of other items of information of an emergent nature,” Mr. Krawczun said.

