Spreading the word: Lower Burrell officials pleased with what the public can do on new website

Making a reservation on Lower Burrell’s new website to see the Easter Bunny this year was so easy that officials hope more residents will visit for a host of other reasons.

The city launched its new website early this year to offer online, for the first time, services such as making reservations for facilities including the pavilion at Burrell Lake Park, sending in forms and receiving city news. Residents still can make reservations and take care of other business in person at City Hall.

“We are urging people to register on the website to receive city updates on timely information such as the recent call for applications for seasonal help,” said Amy Rockwell, city administrator.

Any news the city posts to its website can be sent via email to residents if they sign up to receive the information.

“This way, residents will not have to search the website for information,” she said.

Councilman Chris Fabry held a successful Easter event this month featuring the Easter Bunny. Although the event was free, residents had to make reservations to keep a good flow of traffic for the drive-by event, tailored to pandemic restrictions for large gatherings.

The city couldn’t have pulled it off without the website, Fabry said, and its program that allows the public to book reservations online.

“I was worried about everyone coming at once and creating a line of cars,” he said. But the scheduling of residents’ drive-bys in 15-minute increments made the reservation process seamless.

With more residents able to tap city services online, Mayor John Andrejcik wants to spread the word.

“There’s a lot of things online to help residents out,” he said. “For example, for the recent St. Patrick’s Day parade, there’s a link to view all of the city streets to know where a parade route is and other things are.”

Additionally, when residents subscribe to email notifications, they can receive emergency notifications and information on city events and can control how much information is sent to them, he said.

“And you can customize what kind of information comes to you so you are not bombarded with emails,” Andrejcik said.

The website has a streamlined, simple “how do I” section allowing viewers to quickly find links and information for city services, forms and information.