Internet access in New Ipswich is going to be getting some closer scrutiny, as the Select Board approved creating a new Broadband Committee to study the issue, identify gaps and offer possible solutions.
The board was approached with the idea of creating the committee by two volunteers, Craig Smeeth and Lou Alvarez, who became the first two members of the committee when the board approved it.
Currently, the town has a franchise agreement from Comcast to provide phone and internet service in areas of town with a certain density, and there are other internet options available.
Smeeth said New Ipswich should not fall behind its neighbors, as other towns such as Rindge and Dublin are finding ways to secure broadband internet for every address in their communities.
Rindge and Dublin are among several New Hampshire towns that have taken advantage of a recent change in the law that allows towns to bond to build internet infrastructure. Both towns have struck deals with Consolidated Communications to provide high-speed internet to every address in town, with a surcharge fee on those who sign up for the service used to pay back the bond, rather than tax dollars.
Especially, Smeeth said, in the current circumstances, when the school district is utilizing remote learning for more than half of the school week.
While Smeeth said the school district’s current situation was the “driving force” behind his and Alvarez offering up there services, there were other factors that should be considered. Among them is the marketability of homes without access to broadband, which is becoming an increasing factor in whether buyers move into a community.
For those that must pay privately to have broadband extended to their residences, it can quickly become prohibitively expensive, Smeeth said, citing one customer he spoke to who had gotten a quote of more than $13,000 to extend lines to their home.
Smeeth said he and Alvarez were willing to offer their services to do some of the investigative work on where the gaps in service were and offer suggestions and research potential state or federal funds, if they had the Select Board’s backing.
Select Board member John Veeser said he didn’t have a good grasp on what the need was or how many households are currently unserved by broadband, but said he was in favor of the committee doing that exploratory work.
Select Board Chair David Lage agreed, saying, “I would support finding out what we have and where our gaps are.”
Veeser made the motion to create the committee and appoint Smeeth and Alvarez. The board suggested the committee recruit at least one other member, and suggested a member of the School Board or other representative of the Mascenic School District would be appropriate, considering their current reliance on the internet for instruction. The board approved the motion unanimously.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.