MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Reported concerns over unmarked utility vehicles working in the western end of Monongalia County have prompted the county commission to give formal approval to contractors working on broadband infrastructure.
Commissioners unanimously approved a letter of authorization to be utilized by Comcast and independent contractors working with the firm to allow for them to work within right-of-way and utility easements to support the ongoing efforts as part of the county’s broadband development initiative. The letter was approved by the commission during their regular meeting Wednesday in response to residents in the western part of the county expressing concerns to Commissioner Sean Sikora last week.
“The residents were a little concerned that people were poking around in our neighborhood and just really wanted to know what was going on,” said Sikora. “So in our broadband follow-up, our bi-weekly call, our consultants recommended that we put together a letter that Comcast can adhere to and send to the contractors.”
According to Sikora, the concern from residents stemmed from unmarked utility vans that were installing broadband fiber line on a piece of property around the Snake Hill area of the county. After conversations with contractors and area residents that briefly involved Monongalia County Delegate Joe Statler, Sikora reached out to consultants, where he was advised to have the commission formally approve a letter clearing up any issues with right-of-way or utility easements.
“While there was a little confusion about what property this line was going to go through, and they incorrectly referenced the property on the other side of the road, which had nothing to do with it,” said Sikora, describing the issues around the Snake Hill area. “So they needed to get on the property and approval from the owner to continue on the line.”
The Monongalia County Broadband Development Initiative has been in the works for what is now half a decade as part of an over $20 million investment. This includes around $8 million in funds supported through the American Rescue Plan Act, with the project expected to serve over 2,000 residents who were previously unable to receive broadband internet services. With the letter in place to allow for Comcast and their contractors to work to install the broadband fiber line, Sikora and the rest of the Monongalia County Commission expect those working on site to not have to worry about future issues involving right-of-ways.
“So when they’re out there, they can tell people this is what we’re doing,” said Sikora. “We’re (Comcast) doing this work on behalf of the county’s broadband initiative and ultimately, regarding these projects that were awarded to Comcast.”
The Commission also approved a disbursement of just over $7,605 from the County Fire Protection Contingency Fund to support the upgrades to the county emergency radio communications system. This was approved at the request of the Monongalia County Volunteer Fire Companies Association to financially support expanded radio coverage for the over dozen municipal and volunteer fire stations across the county to communicate with each other in the event of an emergency. With the MCVFCA in line to cover the second half of the approximately $15,000 in upgrades, the commission was more than willing to support the first half of funding.
“The total cost is $15,387.87, they’re requesting $7,605.94 from the contingency fund, and the remaining balance of $7,781.83 is to be paid from the Volunteer Fire Association,” said Sikora.