U-Verse Proliferation On The Horizon As Town, AT&T Near Compromise

By John Voket

In a lengthy standoff between three elected Newtown officials and a global telecommunications giant, it appears that AT&T has blinked. The Board of Selectmen this week heard from AT&T via a memo that the company will relocate a refrigerator-sized VRAD (video ready access device) terminal from the west to the east side of Queen Street.

The longstanding issue involving the metal box, which selectmen have said encroaches on an adjacent sidewalk and could hinder handicapped passage, has held up the company’s installation of as many as ten additional terminals throughout the town since last fall.

Late last August, First Selectman Joe Borst issued an order, which was backed by the Board of Selectmen, demanding AT&T halt installations of any more VRAD terminals until the issue of a relocation of the Queen Street box was resolved.

Since then the issue has come up during several meetings, with a half-dozen representatives of the communications company venturing into town to speak to, or hear from officials about their concerns. Then, this week, selectmen were notified that AT&T is willing to relocate the Queen Street box in exchange for clearance to install approximately ten more terminals in the coming weeks.

While the board appeared to agree to the plan in concept, Republican Selectman Paul Mangiafico said he would not support it unless AT&T set a timeline for the Queen Street relocation.

Town Attorney David Grogins, who was on hand for other matters at the April 20 meeting, said he will ask the communications company to adhere to a strict deadline for the relocation. Mr Mangiafico suggested a 90-day period would provide more than enough time, after which he would vote to allow any other installations under consideration.

AT&T also must receive clearance by the town engineer before installing either pole- or pad-mounted terminals. According to one local source, there may be a dozen or more of the VRAD boxes currently serving Newtown customers. Those terminals are located within or just beyond Newtown’s town borders in Monroe, Redding, Bethel, Easton, or Brookfield.

Company officials have suggested during previous selectmen meetings that 50 or more of the boxes may eventually be installed in Newtown, and that number could increase based on customer demand. According to a company release, the VRAD terminals distribute the integrated AT&T U-Verse suite, which includes “a competitive TV choice and integrated TV, high speed Internet, home phone and wireless services.”

Appeals Hearing Set

Selectmen also announced at this weeks meeting that an appeal by former town animal control officer Carolee Mason is tentatively set for May 4, pending availability of legal council required on behalf of the town. Mr Borst said based on a request from Ms Mason, the hearing would be open to the public, but would differ significantly from previous meetings where numerous public comments were received.

The first selectman said this hearing would be conducted like a court proceeding, and that he reserved the right to clear the room and close the hearing if members of the audience interrupted the proceedings in any way.

On Mach 31, Ms Mason was informed via a letter from the first selectman that her services were terminated.

A review of her personnel file on the matter revealed that Ms Mason was dismissed over issues including: failure to enforce laws relating to control of rabies as per Connecticut general statute 22-330; failure to thoroughly investigate cases of stray, lost, stolen, or injured animals; failure to keep accurate records reflecting impoundment and quarantine reports; failure to maintain and manage Newtown Animal Control Shelter; failure to supervise lower level kennelkeepers and assistants; failure to prepare monthly and annual reports properly; failure to keep records on complaints and activities; falsifying Town of Newtown, State of Connecticut records and reports; and failure to maintain all records.

Deer, Tick Committee

In other action, selectmen this week took the next step in forming a townwide committee that will begin addressing tick-borne illnesses and their suspected ties to deer overpopulation. This is another matter which has been somewhat protracted, with calls for forming an action committee last October finally being answered this week.

Newtown resident David Shugarts, who is a contender for the committee, spoke to the board this week reminding selectmen that six months had passed since any substantial discussions about the initiative have taken place.

“We realize that you have many items to deal with and that the budget process alone has been a big and important one,” Mr Shugarts said, reading from a prepared statement. “But we’re here to say that we’re standing by to help as soon as you do designate a committee.”

Mr Borst said there were more than 20 individuals who tendered their interests in serving on such a committee, tentatively dubbed an “Action Committee for Tick Borne Disease Prevention & Deer Population Control.”

During discussion, Mr Shugarts said other communities in the region, as well as Westchester County, N.Y., had similar committees ranging in membership from five to more than 20. Mr Mangiafico said that nine to 11 members seemed like an appropriate number to serve locally.

It was decided that before the next selectmen’s meeting, Mr Borst would begin lining up volunteers to be interviewed and would formulate a charge for the committee.

Based on copious research he has conducted, Mr Shugarts said, “The threshold value for dramatically reducing the population of deer ticks is about ten deer per square mile.” But the most recent aerial survey of deer density here in Fairfield County “generally established that deer density in Fairfield County was about 40 to 60 per square mile, with pockets of 80.”