Approved as written:

Approved as corrected:_

VERNON FIBER OPTIC COMMITTEE

A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE

TOWN OF VERNON PLANNING COMMISSION

MONDAY, JULY 27, 2015

REGULAR MEETING

6:30PM

DRAFT MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT:OTHERS PRESENT:

Munson Hicks (Chair)Jeff Durborow

BronnaZlochiver

Martin Langeveld (Clerk)

David Andrews

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Michael Courtemanche

SETUP GOOGLE ACCOUNT

SEND WCEDP RFP TO PAUL COSTELLO

The meeting was called to order at 6:31 PM by Munson Hicks, Chair

Review minutes of the June 29, 2015 meeting.

One correction was noted: KierstenBourgeois. Minutes approved as corrected. Moved by Andrews, seconded by Zlochivers, passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

Report on activity since last meeting:

Munson reported on discussions with contacts at ACCD in Montpelier. He has reached out via email to multiple people to look for help. He spoke with people at Community Broadband magazine, who thought that the capital cost numbers we are projecting were high. They are interested in continuing to help.

Bill LeCoeur put Munson in touch with a lawyer in Duluth, who gave primer on what not to do. Example: In a Lake County MN case, they began wiring before all clearances were obtained, and used lawyers without experience. His advice: build the network and have someone else run it.

Most municipally owned broadband networks do only internet and phone. It would be possible to lease capacity on the network to private companies. We need consultants on design, financing, and the business model for the town. 30 residents per mile, which is what we have in Vernon, is the threshold for profitable operation.

Possibilities to expand to Guilford or elsewhere: the model we create in Vernon can work elsewhere. Some portions of Guilford can help increase the density per mile.

David noted that VTEL is offering 1G speed in Springfield and other towns. It would be worth asking how they are doing.

Hurdles particular to Vernon: 90% of the town is already on Comcast or satellite, with VTEL coming soon. So the challenge is how Comcast would react. How do we get the point across that this is for the future benefits.

Bronna mentioned regarding funding, possibility of funding for planning thatVermont Council on Rural Development is very interested in Vernon. There are questions about what the future of Vernon looks like, what is the planning process. Jeff noted that pre-VY, Vernon was one of the highest-tax towns in VT.

Look at talking points and amend:

Changes suggested:

  • add that this is a benefit for the school, that students who are home sick wd be able to participate
  • technological services, games, movies, everything etc. continues to need faster service
  • 3D printing in businesses and homes
  • adds $5-6K to the value of your home. Town valuation goes up by $4 million.

Look at the successes (and failures) of communities that have put in fiber

Networks

No discussion or action

Discussion of business models

No discussion or action

Discuss funding for going forward

This needs to be a priority. Design 9 did the design for FastRoads, but Munson will speak with FastRoads to see what other options there may be. Would it be possible to get some funding from the town for a study, out of one of the existing funds?

The next regular meeting will be the 24th of August as 4th Monday rather than last Monday of August. State director of telecommunications James Porter will be at this meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Motion by BronnaZlochiver, seconded by Munson Hicks, voted unanimously.