Edgecomb Broadband Committee

Minutes of Meeting

18 June, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 pm, with Mike Requa, John Markowski, Tom Boudin, Janet Blevins and Barry Hathorne in attendance. Minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted as written.

There was a brief discussion, as committee members exchanged information regarding recent broadband activity in the town. Very little has changed since the committee last met: MIS has established a connection at the Deck House, but efforts by neighbors to either communicate with MIS or obtain broadband service have been frustratingly unproductive.

Mike spoke with Cameron at MIS, but was unable to make progress. He said Stuart Smith has sent Jason (MIS) the tower information he needed, but Jason has not responded. Mike also spoke with Phil Lindley at ConnectME regarding the town’s dissatisfaction with the lack of progress and communication demonstrated by MIS. Phil asked for patience, and said that MIS had neither asked for nor received any grant money and, according to the terms of the grant, MIS had until the end of October to complete the project.

The committee felt it has little it can do at this point. It was moved and seconded that it recommend the Selectmen send a letter expressing the town’s concern over the lack of progress and communication demonstrated by MIS. They should address the letter to the ConnectME Authority, with copies to the Maine PUC, Governor Baldacci, and Midcoast Internet Solutions. The motion passed. Mike will draft a sample letter for the committee to review and finalize via email, prior to the Selectmen’s meeting Monday, 23 June.

Committee members will attend the next Selectmen’s meeting to explain the situation and present them with their proposed letter at that time. Members will also attend the next meeting of the ConnectME Authority on 25 June, in Augusta.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Blevins

Secretary