In a decision and discussion so difficult it was moved to two hours at the end of Friday’s meeting, supervisors voted 2-1 to move ahead with a $30 million last-mile broadband grant.
Supporters argued it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for economic development.
Opponents questioned not its value, but whether they’ll see the promised money—or considering the chaos going on in Washington, be left holding the empty bag.
A “no” vote would have essentially returned the promised money.
After the 2,149-825 vote, Summit Supervisor Harold Vrooman—who voted in favor of moving ahead with the Municipal Infrastructure Program Grant to run high-speed internet to 4,391 unserved and underserved properties—stressed the need to come together now and support it.
Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe, who also voted in favor of it, said the same.
“We each felt we were doing the right thing,” he said. “In the end, when it comes to fruition, we’ll realize we did the right thing.”
Several supervisors on both sides of the issue said afterwards that they’d swung back and forth on their vote.
Voting yes: Werner Hampel, Cobleskill; Jeff Haslun, Richmondville; Sandy Manko, Sharon; Ben Oevering, Schoharie; Mr. Skowfoe, Alicia Terry, Gilboa; Earl VanWormer, Esperance; Mr. Vroman, and John Youmans, Middleburgh.
Voting no: Don Airey, Blenheim; Earlin Rosa, Seward; Bill Federice, Conesville; John Leavitt, Carlisle; Alex Luniewski, Wright; Steve Weinhofer, Broome; and Peggy Hait, Jefferson.
The MIP grant is a reimbursement grant and supervisors’ greatest fear is that they’ll spend the money up front and it’ll never come through—despite promises, including from Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s office, that it will.
Already, $45 million has been “sequestered” for projects ahead of Schoharie County in the pipeline—a good sign.
“But this money isn’t in New York,” warned Mr. Airey, who’s spent years trying to get reimbursed by Empire State Development—ESD is running the state’s ConnectALL program—for post-Irene streambank work.
Even with the assurances from Congresswoman Stefanik’s office, Mr. Airey said he’s worried lawsuits being brought by Attorneys General—including NY’s Leticia James--against a plethora of Trump Administration funding freezes and cuts “muddies the waters even more.”
The county is looking to fund $10-$15 million over 24-30 months while it waits for reimbursement to pay for construction by partner MidTel.
Once the 294-mile fiber optic system is completed, the county will own it for 10 years—but then can sell it, most likely to partner MidTel, which will be designing and building it with a deadline of December 31, 2016 for completion.
The county will also have to pay an estimated $50,000 in insurance costs over that 10-year period.
Ms. Terry, the project’s most vocal supporter, said it's critical for agriculture and economic development.
There’s a reason the 4,300-plus properties it will serve don’t have internet or adequate internet, she said.
“It’s a rural issue. These are the hardest of the hardest to serve.”
Seward Supervisor Earlin Rosa said he hadn’t had a single call from residents lobbying for broadband and argued with the cost per-hookup “it would be cheaper to just give people $10,000 to connect themselves.”
“What happens if MidTel can’t finish the project?” asked Mr. Airey, calling it not just risky, but perilous and hazardous. ““This is like a vintage Rolex. There are a lot of moving parts.
‘This is an opportunity to do something great for the county,” said Schoharie Supervisor Ben Oevering.
But Bill Federice of Conesville, chair of the Board of Supervisors, bluntly, wasn’t having it.
“We have no guarantees we’ll receive the money. We’re speculating ‘The Trump people, they’re big on rural. They’ll take care of us…but the likelihood of prolonged litigation [for the AG]...Since when is it OK to commence work without a signed agreement and terms [from ESD]?”
The vote was called just before 12:30pm.
The “yes” vote allows MidTel to begin network design.