Overview
The current Chebeague Broadband Committee has met since April, 2021 with
updates reported on the Town Web Site, as well as in face to face venues and
Zoom meetings.
- We developed a
Request for Proposal (RFP) which was released July 13, 2021.
- Axiom Technologies was selected to provide town-owned
Internet service to Chebeague
- Broadband has been a
discussion item at many Wednesday evening Select Board meetings.
- On December 4, 2021, 83% of Chebeague voters present at
Town Meeting voted to approve $975,000 to match/exceed funding from the
State of Maine ConnectMaine Authority.
- On March 20, 2022, the Broadband Committee submitted a
grant application to the ConnectMaine Authority in the amount of $800,000.
- On April 27, 2022, the ConnectMaine Authority voted to
approve our grant request for $800,000 in funding to be matched by as much
as $975,000 as authorized by our Town Meeting last December, 2021. Of the
eight (8) awards made out of 23 applying towns or groups of towns, Chebeague
was #1. The Committee extends its gratitude to all who have been
supportive throughout this challenging process.
-
On s February 23, 2023 the
ConnectMaine Authority increased the grant funding by
$170,00 to $970,000
in recognition of a switch from State to Federal funding
and several unanticipated expenses.
- Debt service for the grant will be funded by Axiom from
subscriber revenues; no increase in taxes due to broadband
- Through the subsequent months, the Committee worked to
secure needed financing, and make-ready arrangements with Axiom,
Consolidated Communications, Central Maine Power, the Maine Connectivity
Authority, and the Town of Chebeague Island.
-
Construction to is planned to start in April, 2024 with completion by July,
2024
Broadband Committee
Meetings on Zoom
(typically Mondays, 5:00 pm)
https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID is 326 962 753
Password for the meeting is 175989
New Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
How to sign up if you qualify
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/03/03/affordable-connectivity-program-faq/
Town
Websites
https://www.townofchebeagueisland.org/
https://www.chebeague.org/
Some Informational Links
Axiom Technolgies
FCC Island
Institute
ConnectMaine
Maine Broadband Coalition
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