Staff photo / Bob Coupland Howland has unveiled a new mobile app to provide the public with quicker access to information on events, happenings and alerts in the township. Township Administrator James Pantalone, left, and Trustee Matt Vansuch show how to access the app on a cellphone at Wednesday’s trustee meeting.

HOWLAND — Wanting to get information on community happenings and special alerts to residents as quickly as possible, the township has launched a new mobile device app.

Howland Administrator James Pantalone said at Wednesday’s trustees meeting when he became administrator earlier this year, one of the projects he wanted to see done was creating an app for the township.

“It was one of the projects I had on my front burner. The trustees liked the idea and agreed it was a good direction to move in order to have a better connection with the community,” Pantalone said.

He said the main idea was to get announcements and notifications of what is taking place in the township, schools and parks.

Called the “Howland Connect App,” it is linked to the township’s web page and includes information from various departments. It has a public calendar of events and meetings in the township.

Pantalone said there are also links to help residents get to Trumbull County websites such as the Trumbull Tourism Bureau.

“One of the most popular parts of the app is a link where people needing help or have a question about something can easily submit for an answer. If you have an inquiry or a problem or are not sure where to go to find information, submit the question and someone will get back to you,” Pantalone said.

Trustee Matt Vansuch said there is a section on the app where residents can report properties in the township to the zoning department if they have concerns about not being in compliance with high grass or junk vehicle rules.

“You can go right in there and report a property and also submit pictures so our zoning department will know where the property is at. This will help the process move faster,” Vansuch said.

Also, he said, if there is flooding or road issues, including potholes, they can be reported quickly to the road department.

Pantalone said American Rescue Plan funds were used to pay for the app. He said Go Gov created the app at a cost of $4,080 per year.

“This was an excellent use of those funds to benefit everyone,” Vansuch said.

Pantalone said there also is a section for weather alerts through the Trumbull County Emergency Management Agency.

Pantalone said there will be additional improvements to the app in upcoming months.