Category: Status Update

Charlemont Fiber Network Status – Nov 5, 2020

Charlemont’s Municipal Fiber Network will become a reality in 2021 as residents get connected and receive service. A lot of the construction work is already complete, although this progress is not always visible. The Select Board and Broadband Committee are trying to accelerate the schedule as much as possible to help residents cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The project remains on budget and there are no major problems.

The Broadband Committee is working on multiple work-streams simultaneously to ensure the project continues without blockers. This work can be grouped under network build-out and administration.

Regular project updates are posted at www.charlemontconnect.org and on the CharlemontFiber Facebook page. 

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Charlemont Municipal Fiber Network
Selectboard Status Report
October 3, 2020

Summary
Verizon has approved seven licenses (out of 17). The estimated final completion date is still December 31, 2020, but we remain hopeful they may finish early. This is the main schedule driver. Based on this date, we anticipate starting construction of the distribution network in April, 2021. We are on track to complete all “path preparation” projects, including Warner Hill Road and Tower Road. Construction of the network equipment room is complete; electronics could start being installed later this year. So far, the project remains on budget. We are anticipating the first tranche of town borrowing at the end of October, 2020.

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Charlemont Municipal Fiber Network
Selectboard Status Report
July 9, 2020

Summary
National Grid has completed make-ready. Verizon has approved two licenses (out of 17) but the estimated final completion date is still December 31, 2020. This is the main schedule driver. Based on this date, we anticipate starting construction of the distribution network in April, 2021. We plan to complete four “path preparation” projects this summer to be ready to install the distribution network: Tower Road, Warner Hill Road, Heath Stage Terrace and Hawk Hill Road. Construction of the network equipment room is nearly complete; electronics could start being installed later this year. So far, the project remains on budget. We are planning for town borrowing in FY21, although we plan to delay the borrowing as long as possible to reduce the cost to the town.

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Charlemont Municipal Fiber Network, Selectboard Status Report, May 9, 2020

Summary

Make-ready is in progress with National Grid. We selected the contractor for construction of our distribution network and received the next grant milestone payment of $185,500 from EOHED.

Verizon extended their estimated make-ready completion date for the town and we are now anticipating starting construction of the distribution network in April, 2021. We plan to complete four “path preparation” projects this summer. Three underground conduit projects are out to bid (Hawk Hill Road, Heath Stage Terrace, Warner Hill Road). We believe we finally have a resolution for the railroad crossing near Long Bridge via a public-way crossing at Route 8A. This will incur additional make-ready costs, but we believe they will be reimbursed by the state. Construction of the network equipment room in the basement of the town hall has resumed. So far, the project remains on budget and we are planning for town borrowing in FY21.

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Charlemont Municipal Fiber Network, Selectboard Status Report, March 14, 2020

Summary

Make-ready is in progress and we have put our distribution network construction contract out to bid through WG+E. Bids are due back on March 27. Based on estimated completion dates from the utilities, we are anticipating network construction to begin in early 2021. We hope to begin rolling out service to parts of town in the second quarter of 2021 and have service in all parts of town by the end of 2021 or Q1 2022. This summer, we plan to complete four “path preparation” construction projects on Hawk Hill Road, Heath Stage Terrace, Tower Road and Warner Hill Road. Construction of the network equipment room in the basement of the town hall is underway. We finalized an agreement with Heath to serve two homes on Center Heath Road. We are still working on a final design for the Long Bridge railroad crossing. So far, with the state covering our make-ready overages, the project remains on budget.

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Charlemont Municipal Fiber NetworkSelectboard Status Report January 20, 2019 Summary Based on the current estimated completion dates from National Grid and Verizon, we are anticipating…

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Charlemont Municipal Fiber Network Selectboard Status Report December 1, 2019 Summary Based on the current estimated completion dates from National Grid and Verizon, we are…

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Charlemont Municipal Fiber Network Selectboard Status Report October 21, 2019 Summary We have received estimated completion dates from National Grid and Verizon for completing the…

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