Lubec approves broadband project

Lubec voters approved moving ahead on the proposed broadband Internet expansion project, by a 24 to 13 vote, during the annual town business meeting held August 3. The discussion regarding the project, which bears a projected cost estimate totaling $4.6 million, lasted more than one hour out of the total meeting, which ran just over two hours.
Under the guidance of moderator Harold Bailey, the first 57 articles passed during the first hour; all were unanimous except Article 57, which produced three "nay" votes. That article addressed handling a potential payback of a federal grant for the Safe Harbor project; contractor bids have come in considerably higher than anticipated. Voters approved allowing the select board to negotiate the sale of the "cat food house" adjacent to the proposed Safe Harbor location in the event the project cannot be moved ahead. The property had been purchased for use by the proposed harbor structures and is located next door to the historical society building.
Select board Chair Carol Dennison, who was deeply involved in the Safe Harbor project, was absent from the meeting as she required an urgent medical procedure. Prior to the opening of the meeting, Town Administrator Renee Gray announced that word had been received that the procedure, performed earlier the same day, was complete and that Dennison "was doing well."
The total municipal budget for 2022-2023 approved by the voters is $1,671,366, which is a 10% increase over the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Much of the increase includes anticipated fuel and electricity cost hikes.

The broadband article included three parts. Part 1 authorizes the select board to solicit grants and other outside funding to cover "at least one half" of the cost to design, construct and equip a municipally owned system that would provide fiber optic broadband service to "all Lubec households and businesses." Part 2 authorizes the issuance of up to $2,300,000 in general obligation bonds to "provide fiber optic broadband to all Lubec households and businesses." Part 3 authorizes the select board to execute the contracts needed to support the build out and operation of the system. The full text of Article 61, as well as municipal budget numbers, is included in the town's 2021-2022 annual report available at the town office as well as other locations.
Following common practice, Bailey read the entire article, after which a motion to accept "as written" was seconded allowing discussion to proceed prior to the vote.
Martha Howell, speaking for the town's economic development committee, addressed the meeting to provide additional information and answer questions. "This will be tax neutral," she said, stressing that costs will be borne by ratepayers, not taxpayers. Subscriber rates will depend on the connection speed chosen and will be competitive with -- or less costly than -- presently available commercial services. The technology will provide superior service than many systems currently offer, as it will be based on state of the art technology.
Select board member Rachel Rubeor, who has long been pushing broadband expansion, pointed out that planning began five years ago. Over the last year the committee has provided three well publicized but modestly attended public information sessions. A recent survey received 157 responses including 82 who termed broadband expansion "extremely important" with another 30 saying "important;" the proposal has been discussed on social media and in articles published by The Quoddy Tides. Additionally, a link on the town's website supplies information including details about the Federal Affordable Connectivity Program that provides financial assistance to qualifying households.
Plans include contracting with Machias based Axiom Technologies to provide administrative services, which include contracting with the company that will string the needed miles of fiber cable, including providing connections to individual homes and businesses. A key goal is to provide high speed service to the more remote parts of town that commercial suppliers neglect.
To move ahead, residents will be asked to sign individual commitment agreements one to two years before services are expected to be provided and to pay a proposed refundable $99 upfront fee in exchange for a promise that each individual hook up will be provided free of charge including stringing cable the length of private driveways that have electrical poles installed. Those who sign up later will be required to pay connection fees. Financial projections are based on 388 initial sign ups -- less than half of the town's approximately 900 households. At that point the system will be tax neutral and further connection fees will eventually provide an income stream to the town. Axiom representatives have stated that their experience in other towns showed a higher upfront penetration rate than the minimum.
In response to a question, Howell stated that the process would not move ahead if grant funding was not provided and would also stop if there was a significant shortfall in the number of upfront agreements inked prior to the anticipated start date. On hearing this projection, one resident of Carrying Place Cove declared that they would immediately sign up, stating that the satellite based service currently available at that location is more expensive and is unreliable.
Several members of the audience objected to moving forward, claiming "there are too many unanswered questions." On a procedural basis, moderator Bailey rejected a motion to postpone the decision pending a special town meeting, as the article had already been moved and seconded, thus precluding a second motion before the first was voted upon. The subsequent request to require a paper ballot produced the 24 to 13 vote to accept Article 61 "as written."
Prior to the close of the meeting, Bailey described how, during his first town business meeting years ago, the crowd filled the school gymnasium. This year's meeting, with an attendance of 37, drew the second-smallest participation level in 10 years, falling from the levels of more than 100 during 2011-2013. Additionally, this year a scant 175 voters cast ballots for local representation in the municipal election; in 2011 the number was 580.