High speed may connect at Russellville

Monday, October 16, 2006

Russellville officials are considering joining the wave -- the high-speed Internet wave that is.

Tim Gierke, president of HOP Technologies, along with Lance Trout, told the Russellville Town Council about how his company could provide high-speed Internet for town residents.

Gierke informed the public who were present at the meeting that HOP launched high-speed service called Airhop in Greencastle in 2002, and have been spreading it out into the surrounding communities. The last community to receive it was VanBibber Lake Estates.

Gierke said he would need to locate the highest elevation in the area to install the equipment necessary for bringing the high-speed service to town.

"The key to our service working is a high point," he said.

That point may just be the water tower, which Gierke said is typically a good spot to work from.

"The higher, the better for services to work," he said.

Gierke explained that the equipment would be attached to the collar of the water tank with special brackets.

He also explained that the satellite signal would come from Greencastle and would reach homes and business through a special unit and a cable which attaches to the computer through a router.

"It does not tie up your phone line," Gierke said in reference to high-speed verses dial-up.

The signal from the antenna could even possibly reach up to 2 or 3 miles outside the town which means some residents who live on the outskirts of the community could possibly receive the service as well.

As for the cost of the new service, Gierke said it is $29.95 a month with unlimited use. Router and e-mail accounts are included as well.

Gierke asked that the equipment be placed at the top of the water tower to which council President Sally Spencer McAfee said the town would have to send out a survey letter to see how many residents are interested in receiving high speed internet.

In other business, the council:

-- Discussed the hours for trick-or-treat in town. Council members voted and approved to have it from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31.

McAfee reminded the public about the Halloween Social at the community center at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. All are invited to attend.

-- Learned from Water Supt. Mike Varvel and Street Supt. Chester Leatherman about the water leak that occurred in a field. The leak was coming from the line that was hooked up to the south well to water some cattle. Leatherman explained they pumped the water out of the well and found two valves, one of which was leaking. They were able to stop the leaks by turning off the valves.

-- Tabled having a company clean the wells in town until an alternate water plan is decided.

-- Will be taking the National Incident Management System (NIMS) classes to help prepare the council for any type of disaster.

-- Learned from Terry Jones of the West Central Indiana Economic Development District that one council member has to attend a meeting on a pre-disaster mitigation plan.

-- Informed the public it was not going to go with the SRF loan or the grant for the water project this time around because the rates were going to increase.

-- Informed a resident that there was no ordinance on hanging signs from awnings. The resident wanted to hang another sign from the awning in front of her business.

-- Will participate in Red Ribbon Week, Monday, Oct. 23 - Tuesday, Oct. 31. The council will support the children of the community who are drug-free.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 at the town hall. The meeting is open to the public.

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