Plymouth Common Council member Randy Longanecker voiced concerns regarding overhead fiber that has been left draped down utility poles through town that has been left unresolved since mid-summer.
Utilities Superintendent Donnie Davidson confirmed that the company doing that installation is Brightspeed Internet. “We’ve been having a difficult time dealing with them. They are out of Colorado and there’s a disconnect between the contractors and their engineering, and Brightspeed.:”
Davidson did inform the board that much of the overhead has been installed; there are still plans to install more underground which is what he thinks the spooled excess will be used for.
“They have not completed the requirements that we have to proceed with the underground boring. It’s very similar to what Surf installed. My fear is them doing damage and us not even having a contact to get the issue addressed in a timely fashion. With Surf we had sewer lines cut, water lines cut – but we had contact people and they were on it within a day or two.”
Longanecker noted that an additional concern for him is that it’s been sitting out a while and might get damaged.
Davidson agreed that it is a concern.
Currently there is no bond because the installation has been all overhead up to this point; a bond will be created once installation goes underground.
There was very little space in the right-of-way when Surf installed fiber, now there is even less for additional fiber underground.
“We are trying to keep them a minimum of five feet away from our water and sewer line since ours is mostly deeper than theirs and we can safely repair it.” stated Davidson.
He noted that a contractor actually started boring at Eastwood and Michigan without a permit. They were shut down but have since obtained permits; though no work has been resumed.
Engineering Assistant / GIS Coordinator Chris Marshall has been diligent to complete the permit process when applied for. Marshall has had to work with multiple people which has made the process challenging.
Davidson said that Brightspeed Internet took the place of Century Link and are making an effort to upgrade the system for fiber.
