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FAYETTE High-speed Net access is topic for selectmen
BY MECHELE COOPER
Staff Writer
Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 05/16/2008

FAYETTE -- Selectmen will discuss the town's access to high-speed Internet at their meeting on Monday, followed by a public hearing on funds to enforce the junkyard law.

The selectmen's meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Fayette Central School.

Town Manager Mark Robinson said the Town Office has been deluged by e-mails and calls from people in the community who don't have access to high-speed Internet connections.

He said Bruce Ballantyne, vice president of economic development at FairPoint New England, will talk about broadband availability in Fayette at the selectmen's meeting.

"He's going to make sure people understand where it is and isn't available at this time," Robinson said. "He's willing to come out and make this presentation. Following his presentation, we'll begin the public hearing discussion regarding the ballot question."

Ballantyne said there are places in town where broadband is available including the school. He said his company may need an easement to put a remote site on town property to provide the broadband service to people in the village.

He said 35 people have asked for the service.

"It's a small community, but there is some possible opportunities there," Ballantyne said. "There is existing infrastructure we could use. As far as facilities, we would still need to put network elements and need additional space. A lot of it will depend on the town working with us."

At the public hearing to discuss the junkyard ballot question, which will come to a vote June 10, Robinson said residents need to decide whether to support the allocation of up to $20,000 for the town's legal account to enforce the state's junkyard law.

For the years, officials said they have tried to work with junkyard owners to voluntarily come into compliance with state law in order to maintain their businesses. Response has been mixed, but some violations persist, he said.

Officials are asking residents to support using surplus to establish a legal fund to pay for the cost of enforcing the junkyard law.

"It's an opportunity for the public to provide selectmen commentary on the ballot," Robinson said.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com

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