I read with great interest Dave Beers’s article about the fiber-optic network for Norfolk. Although previous articles have been informative, this one gave us a peek at potential costs and who the greatest beneficiaries would be.

From a project management perspective, I’m a little surprised the NW ConneCT team chose Norfolk as their implementation point. If this truly is a 25-town initiative, why was Norfolk, the second least (tied with Canaan) densely populated town in the northwest hills area, selected? I would think a more densely populated community with numerous business enterprises would be much more attractive and better positioned for success.

I was also surprised at the estimated cost to residents and the team’s proposed plan to fund this endeavor. Our Board of Finance does a superb job, year after year, massaging the town’s budget, yet they would be asked to include a $147,000 line item which would most benefit only 40 percent of our residents. In addition, how to cover the lump sum of $200,000 to upgrade the transfer station was not mentioned. Will this be left to the board to “find” or by adding to the proposed .5 mil rate increase?  

Looking at the return on investment, I understand and support the need to make Norfolk more business and emigrant attractive, but if we are to spend such an enormous amount of money, are there not better options for $5M+ (40-year payout)? After all, it seems the rest of the state is making do with their current Internet networks. What are similar communities doing to upgrade their Internet networks and to bring cable to all residents?

Finally, do we really think fiber optic technology is not going to become antiquated within the projected 40-year time frame? We already have wireless WiFi in 5G technology, so who’s to say this technology will not be enhanced to replace hard cable. After all, cell phones have made land line phones just about obsolete and have done so in less than 40 years. Technology is ever evolving, and with the need for everyone to have Internet access, wireless WiFi will have to be the technology of tomorrow. Before we invest in a technology for generations to come shouldn’t we be very sure it is the right investment?

Although I empathize with the 40 percent of households without access to cable Internet, I’m not convinced that committing all residents (their children and their children’s children) to 40 years of financial burden is fiscally responsible for a technology that has a high likelihood of being obsolete within that timeframe.

I appreciate the NW ConneCT team’s desire and passion to make improvements to our town, but I would encourage them to explore other options for providing sufficient cable Internet to those without and to reexplore partnering with other communities on a region-wide fiber-optic network. 

— Lee Fish