Published: October 23, 2007 03:49 pm            

Telecom Board is ready to sign loan with RUS

Monticello — The Monticello-Wayne County Telecommunications Board is ready to sign

the loan documents with RUS, as it continues to move forward with the fiber

to the home project. During a meeting held on Wednesday, October 17, the

board authorized the chairman, vice-chairman and secretary to sign necessary

loan documents in regard to the project.

Board chairman Greg Latham said that the board has received RUS loan

documents and they were with the board's attorney for a final review. He

expected they would be ready for signatures in a couple of days and noted

they would be returned to Washington, D.C. as soon as possible.

Latham noted that some of the documents require the signature of all

board members. He said that once the documents are returned to RUS

officials, he expected they will be reviewed there for a final time before

funding will actually become available.

With that news, the board also approved the contract with Finley

Engineering, who has been selected for the fiber to the home project. The

board has been in negotiations with the firm, which was formerly known as

Central Associated Engineers, for several months.

Also during the meeting, the board approved the broadband packages that

are now being offered by Community Telecom Services. The Telecommunications

Board recently approved the purchase of Net Power, local internet service

provider that offers dial-up and wireless connection.

Pricing for internet service through Community Telecom Services ranges

from $19.95 to $49.95 per month, according to the speed.

The board approved a line of credit with one of the local banks in order

to purchase equipment for the broadband internet service.

The board met in executive session to discuss the strategic business

plan. No action was taken.

        

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