Watch the March 31, 2022 Community Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended and participate in this robust discussion. We would like to keep the dialogue going so please fill out our poll below. We have also provided the presentation from the meeting and answered the many questions we could not address during the meeting in the following section.
Download the presentation materials.
Should the town build a fiber network?
Additional Information and Materials
Q&A
What are the financial assumptions regarding the 40 year municipal bonds - interest rate, amortization schedule, etc. what happens if there is a material change in the market prior to actually raising the money ?
Answer
It seems like a no brainer that we should resurrect that Comcast advisory council. Where would be find information on how to do that?
Answer “The advisory council gets $2,000 a year from Comcast. The current advisory council is "inactive". I have heard that it may have money sitting in a checking account, which is being held pending the "resurrection" of the council. The council has no legal authority, but it can participate with authority with the company and PURA.” Burt Cohen, Office of Consumer Counsel.
So then these private companies would be making money off of our town-owned network?
Yes. Private companies would bid for the work and the town would decide what company it would hire to manage the internet service or maintain the wires. The town would not hire its own line personnel, etc. But just like any contract the town enters into, it would be by competitive bid.
How many of the 240 homes truly feel like they are struggling because of inferior internet service—meaning they have a good alternative to Comcast or maybe weekenders or they don’t want internet?
In the 2020 Sharon Connect survey of residents, 54% of respondents said they were unhappy with or did not have internet at all. See page 5 of the survey results here.
Are there and programs to support eligible residents with internet costs?
“If you are a customer of Comcast or Frontier and have trouble affording your internet access, there is a federal program, the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a monthly subsidy for eligible residents. The link to information and application materials may be found at https://www.fcc.gov/acp” Burt Cohen, Office of Consumer Counsel.
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