Advances in technology and the growth in emergency response funding mean that even the least populated, most rural towns are now setting up their own mass notification systems.

Among the latest is Goshen, which signed up for a service known as Connect-CTY. It uses internet dialing to relay pre-recorded messages in a matter of minutes to every residence and business with a listed telephone number.

The system can also relay text messages to cell phones, pagers and email accounts. In addition messages can be targeted for certain groups of people, such as town employees or all first responders.

Goshen First Selectman Robert Valentine said the system is essential for emergencies and can also be used for more mundane purposes, such as announcing a change in the recycling schedule.

Goshen's neighbors, Litchfield and Morris, already employ the Connect-CTY system, which was introduced about two years ago.

New Canaan, a less rural small town, was an early subscriber.

Goshen is using a Homeland Security grant worth $5,145 to defray the $3,125 annual service fee. The contract is for three years, but can be cancelled at any time, Valentine said.