Refactor utils for better readability

**Feature request**
It would be great to have notifications for models.

**Use case**
Many users need this functionality for production deployments.

**Implementation idea**
Add a new config option `enable_notifications` with default `false`.

The issue names no files, tests, or entry points. Start by locating configuration handling and the model notification flow, then determine how the new option should control notifications; done means the option defaults to false and model notifications work when it is enabled.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.