By Jane Wilde
(From the January/February 2007 Marlboro Mixer)

For years Internet users in Marlboro have dreamed of the day that highspeed Internet (also called broadband) would come to town. That day is getting nearer.

In January a four town collective (Newfane, Putney, Dummerston and Marlboro), with Marlboro in the lead, won a $50,000 grant from the State of Vermont. Its purpose is to support the development of fast Internet access to the residents of the four towns.

In the proposal, which was written by Patrick Moreland and Jane Wilde of Marlboro and Tom Lowell of Dummerston, Internet access would be made available through a network of wireless signals that would be transmitted between multiple locations in each of the towns. The starting place would be Marlboro, the only town in the collaborative that currently has no broadband coverage.

"There is still much work to be done," says Steve Bissette, member of the Four Town Collective, and chair of the Marlboro Broadband Committee. It is hoped that the project will begin this spring. "We need people who are willing to help with the preparation work." Volunteers will be needed to travel to potential subscribers' homes and get the exact GPS coordinates. (GoogleEarth's coordinates are not accurate enough.)

Tom Lowell of Dummerston adds, "I think we can employ the house raising model to installing the antenna equipment if we get the volunteers. Savings on equipment installation translates into more service more quickly."

If you are interested in helping, please send an email to Jane Wilde.

It is also not too late to indicate your interest in subscribing for the service. In July a survey was sent to residents asking about their interest. If you did not complete a survey then, we would still like to hear from you. A copy of the survey will be posted on the town website or you can contact Jane. Completing the survey does not obligate you in any to purchase service.

Windham County 5-Town Cooperative/Dummerston Meeting,
6/15/06

Attending:
Steve Bissette, Marlboro
Tom Bodett, Dummerston
Leigh Brady, Putney
Benji Crasin, Putney
Tim Flesher, Great Auk/LastMileNet
Tom Lowell, Dummerston
Meg McCarthy, Marlboro
Steve Mindel, Dummerston
Gregg Noble, Optima/Great Auk
Reg Rockefeller, Dummerston
Kevin Ryan, Dummerston
Gregg Scragg, Dummerston
Betsy Whittaker, Dummerston
__

The meeting was held in the church basement nearest the DummerstonTown Offices; though fewer attended than expected, the meeting still proved productive. The meeting opened with introductions, during which Tom Lowell quickly updated the group on his plans for a tower and T1 line ("almost there") on his property at the corner of Cemetary Road in Dummerston. He noted that it was now imperative that a means of funding is arrived at, preferably with the proposed five-town cooperative in place. Tom made it clear, he is ready to move ahead, with or without the cooperative, though he hoped to do so WITH the cooperative, or able to retroactively deal with the funding issues (i.e., fund-raising, reimbursement, etc.) as part of the cooperative.

Tom Bodett and Kevin Ryan reiterated the Dummerston Broadband poll (out of 950 mailed, 450 responded, 250 expressing their desire/need for broadband access), noting that 314 residences on the Dummerston 9-1-1 map presently had no broadband access. A discussion of the "price point" threshold followed, leading to further conversation on the Dummerston situation and sharing of the Dummerston map with the group, which opened circulation and discussion of the various town mapping that had been completed.

Tom Lowell passed around the Dummerston topographical/9-1-1 map, highlighted with markers to indicate broadband access and lack of broadband access. Steve Bissette distributed copies of the Marlboro topographical/9-1-1 map prepared by Jim Mahoney, noting that only TWO Marlboro locations presently have broadband access: Marlboro College on South Road and Marlboro Elementary School on Route 9, each serviced by T1 lines.

At this point, Tim Flesher arrived, using the Marlboro map to note the placement of existing towers in Marlboro. Discussion followed, concentrating on the methodology of determining which locations in Marlboro might best serve as placement for towers to establish service for the largest portion of the community; this led to discussion of the same issue for Dummerston.

Leigh Brady presented the Putney mapping, appropriately color coded (she had a large presentation map prepared, not handout copies), and its specs: 1058 units, of which only 320 have dial-up broadband access at this time. Leigh (and Benjie Crasin) discussed the particulars, noting which locations have DSL or coverage, and how the western half of Putney and all points east of interstate 91 (along River Road) do not have access. Tim Flesher indicated that a sizable region of West Putney is about to be covered by LastMileNet (also note Gregg Noble and Tim Flesher indicated that Tim is now working with Gregg and Great Auk, and is no longer with LastMileNet).

Tom Bodett and Tom Lowell redirected discussion to the need and nature of the proposed cooperative. Tom Lowell asked Gregg and Tim to address their business and potential (or preferred) methods of dealing with such a cooperative. Both did so: Gregg affirmed it would be preferable to work with a cooperative, that would own the infrastructure (e.g., towers, "radios," hardward, etc.), while Tim noted the average cost of needed equipment per person served would be between $500-700 (Tim charges $250-300 up front fees at present). Gregg noted the Great Auk model is funded in part by advertisers and subscribers (the ads appear on the homepage), and the importance of the five town representatives filling out the Great Auk/Optima application forms Gregg emailed to the group.

Reg Rockefeller noted that Verizon recently refused installation of a T1 line to her home unless she changed service to a business line; via sover.net, the cost of a T1 line is presently $350-432 per month, a prohibitive amount for most (if not all) individuals. Clearly, the need to form the cooperative and proceed with a communal solution to this dilemma is vital.

Intensive discussion followed of the proposed cooperative's means, methods and strategy (or strategies), and the need to complete the present mapping project for all five towns to arrive at mapping of potential towers, serviced areas and frequencies. Discussion of T1 lines, repeaters, and the problems presented by metal roofs followed, leading Tom Bodett to ask "How should we approach forming this cooperative and making our plan?"

FUNDING:
This is imperative, and the cooperative may have to exist as a legal entity before various funding options can be pursued. For instance: the group presently needs to raise $300 per town for the needed survey maps (see #2, below); who should the checks be made out to?

ACCOUNTANT:
To exist, the cooperative must locate and employ or engage an accountant committed to the cooperative's needs. Discussion followed, without resolution.

TOWN ZONING ISSUES:
Discussion of zoning and placement of antennae issues followed, without conclusion at this time; further research is necessary.

The group determined the following course of action must be pursued ASAP, in preparation for the next meeting (tentatively July 11 or July 18th):

1. Topographical/population maps:
incorporating the town 9-1-1 maps and town topographical maps. Some of this has been completed, some has not, or is in progress.

2. Survey maps by/for Optima/Great Auk, to determine best tower/repeater placement and coverage per town:
An estimate for this process was discussed with Gregg and Tim. The mapping per town will cost $2000-3000 per town plus $250 per tower site determined; a total of $4000-5000 per town.

3. Photos of Antennae:
It was requested that photos of the various tower/antennae structures be provided by Great Auk for posting on the town broadband sites, so that homeowners/property owners being approached for possible tower sites would have a clear idea of what kind of structures are being proposed. Gregg said this was no problem, and photos (of at least four variations) will be provided for online posting.

4. Local Searches, per Town, for the Best Viable Sites:
The need for Tim and/or Gregg, and the respectivetowns, to participate in active searches for idealsites for tower placement is pressing. This processcan only be done in person with the active participation of Gregg and/or Tim, to observationally check and determine (a) best "views" for tower placement, (b) power sources and (c) whether phone lines are nearby (not required, but preferred). This is to arrive at:

5. Each Town Proposing TWO Tower/Antennae Sites:
In conjunction with, prep for, or based upon the completion of (4), each town should by next meeting propose the two "most robust sites" in their community for tower placement.

To complete #4 and 5, it was determined that each town should come up with the modest sum of $300 per town for this process.

The meeting closed with a proposed meeting date of July 11 (if that isn't good, July 18th is our alternative) -- to be determined via email exchange with the group. The hope/need for Walter and Jodie French's involvement in the July meeting was noted; meeting adjourned.