Raritan Township joined GOGov in 2024 to strengthen communication with residents and offer convenient, direct access to important township updates. Now well into their rollout, the team is making the most of their branded mobile app and notification system—building stronger connections with their community and seeing early wins in event engagement, resource awareness, and public trust.

About Raritan Township, NJ

Raritan Township was chartered on April 2, 1838, and is located in the heart of the Amwell Valley and Raritan Valley regions. What makes the township unique are its acres of mountainous parkland, scenic valley views, and the creeks and streams—including the Neshanic and South Branch of the Raritan Rivers—that flow through it.

The township proudly features the title "Heart of Hunterdon County" on its official seal, as it is the largest and most populated township in the county. A network of essential state and local highways—Routes 202, 31, and 12—passes through Raritan, which is located nearly halfway between New York City and Philadelphia.

Throughout its history, Raritan Township has remained true to its cultural heritage, with cultivation-centered farms producing dairy, meat, and crops. The township's protected farmland and scenic countryside views continue to reflect its deep agricultural roots and commitment to preserving its natural beauty.

The Challenge That Led to GOGov Local Government Software

The Raritan Township Committee was exploring communication platforms that would allow residents to access township resources directly from the palm of their hands—whether via mobile phone or tablet. One of the key challenges the township aimed to overcome was finding an effective way to keep residents informed about available services while also highlighting the accomplishments and efforts being made to support the community.

Prior to discovering GOGov, the township relied on a platform primarily designed for sending emergency alerts via text and email. However, this system lacked the flexibility to share non-urgent updates in a way that didn't feel overly alarming—something their standard news releases also struggled to address.

What ultimately influenced Raritan Township's decision to implement GOGov was the platform's thorough presentation and ability to give residents direct access to township information through a mobile app. For example, when a road closure or construction project affects travel, the app enables instant notifications—providing a valuable and timely communication tool for both residents and staff.

How Raritan Township Is Using GOGov

Raritan Township actively uses GOGov's Citizen Notifications to keep residents informed and engaged through their mobile app, My Raritan Township. Push Notifications are sent almost daily, covering everything from road and construction advisories to community events and available resources. According to Nick Chow from the Township's Office of Administration and Human Resources, the platform's reach extends beyond residents to local news outlets as well.

"GOGov has really helped us streamline our communication," said Chow. "It's become our go-to for getting timely, non-emergency information out to the public in a way that feels accessible and not overwhelming."

Early Success Stories

The township has already seen measurable success from its efforts. One early example came during a free rabies clinic and pet licensing event. Using the mobile app, the township published a concise announcement outlining what residents needed to bring, such as documentation and proof of residency, to get their pets vaccinated and licensed. As a result, attendance at the event increased, and more residents took advantage of the available services.

Improved User Experience

Residents have also noted how the app has simplified navigation of the township's website, helping them find important information more quickly and with fewer clicks. Even members of Raritan's elderly population, who are often more hesitant to use new technology, are being reached through word-of-mouth.

"I've had meaningful conversations with older residents who mentioned that a neighbor or friend who's more tech-savvy let them know what the township is doing," Chow added. "In short, our messaging has been reaching people both on and offline."

Real-World Impact & Key Features

The township is fully leveraging several of GOGov's standout mobile app features:

Core Mobile App Features

• Applets: Custom buttons in the app that link directly to specific web pages or resources—making access quick and simple.
• Subscription Groups: Allowing users to opt into updates that matter most to them, like traffic advisories or community events.
• Social Media Integration: Once a notification is published, the system automatically creates a link that can be shared on social media, making communication seamless across platforms.

"Residents can choose the type of notifications they want to receive, so they're not cluttered with every update—we can tailor the message to the right people," said Chow. Internally, it's helped the township stay organized, and externally, it's empowered residents to stay connected on their terms.

Measuring Success

Since launching the app, the township has seen increased community event attendance, more references to township updates on social media, and even mentions in local news—proof that the new communication strategy is working.

With QR code marketing materials provided by GOGov, it's now even easier for residents to download the app, giving Raritan another fast, effective channel to reach both new and long-time residents alike.

Advice for Other New Jersey Municipalities

Chow and the Raritan Township team encourage other local governments to consider GOGov for its transparency, support, and thoughtful implementation process. He noted that he's received calls and emails from elected officials in other municipalities exploring platforms like GOGov, since Raritan is often listed as a reference. For Chow, it's been rewarding to share genuine feedback and guidance with peers who are looking for new ways to expand their outreach.

"GOGov was extremely transparent and accommodating throughout the project, providing status updates and developments as the app was being built," said Chow. "They provided an outline of the project's phases from the kick-off call to official launch. The training covered general app maintenance and marketing and took approximately 90 minutes. Whenever we had questions or follow-up inquiries, GOGov took the time to understand and effectively addressed our suggestions in a timely fashion."

Your Municipality Powered by GOGov

GOGov is committed to helping municipalities and local governments enhance community engagement, streamline operations, and foster transparent communication. Our partnership with Raritan, NJ, demonstrates the potential of our solutions to make a meaningful impact on local governments and districts of all sizes, and our continued efforts to improve and innovate further.  

GOGov specializes in providing CRM, Code Enforcement, Citizen Notifications, Online Permitting and mobile software to local governments of all sizes. We built our software from the ground up working with the departments and staff that now use our products every single day.

Interested in learning more? Sign up for a free demo

‍