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Right-of-way for fiber allowed in Fillmore
FILLMORE — After considering a potential by Endeavor Communications to expand broadband, Fillmore leaders are allowing another provider to build in the town.
The Fillmore Town Council approved a request from TDS Telecom to enter the town’s right-of-way for construction of buried and aerial cables on various roads at its regular meeting Thursday evening.
According to staking sheets by TDS, the roads involved in the project include Main, Hendricks, Putnam, Center and Brookside streets, as well as Westwood and Old Right of Way roads and portions of county roads 50 North and 475 East leading into the town.
Per a letter submitted to the town by TDS, the construction would be similar to other projects going in Bainbridge and Roachdale, in that existing copper would be replaced with optical fiber. These wires, the letter stated, provide higher-speed capacity for households.
Endeavor is working through a joint venture with Hendricks Power Cooperative to expand in the latter’s service territories. It is understood that TDS is “ponying up,” as Clerk Works’ Monica Bray put it at the meeting, similarly with Duke Energy.
Endeavor representative Jay Watkins stated at a recent special meeting that TDS has already built out to Cemetery Road. Meanwhile, he said Endeavor fiber currently runs to Fillmore Elementary School, Dixie Chopper and Liberty Trailers.
Watkins provided that Fillmore could be taken out of consideration for new Endeavor expansion there, saying it would not be feasible for both providers to have lines there. However, Bray said Endeavor recently contacted the town to locate an area.
No timeline for the build’s completion was given at the meeting, or set out in documents provided to the town by TDS and then shared with the Banner Graphic.
In other business:
• The council conducted its first reading of Ordinance 2022-6 denoting town officials’ salaries and wages for 2023. These are set out in the ordinance as follows:
— Clerk-treasurer: Bi-weekly salary of $1,175, with 34 percent paid out of the General Fund and 33 percent paid out of both the Sewer and Water funds each;
— Town marshal and deputy marshal, should the town designate them: Bi-weekly salary of $595 and $416, respectively, all paid out of the General Fund;
— Utilities operator, including five weeks’ paid vacation: Bi-weekly salary of $1,263.15, with 35 percent plus $2,500 paid out of the Sewer Fund, 35 percent paid out of the Water Fund and 30 percent paid out of the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund;
— Certified water operator: Monthly salary of $500, all paid out of the Water Fund;
— Town council members: Monthly salary of $495, with 34 percent paid out of the General Fund, 33 percent paid out of the Sewer Fund and 33 percent paid out of the Water Fund; and
— Utility clerk, as an optional appointee: Hourly rate of $10.50 paid equally between the Sewer and Water funds, but not to exceed 12 hours per week.
The clerk-treasurer, town marshal and utilities operator would also be alloted a $600 cellphone use imbursement paid out in December.
• Council President Meredith Trusty stated that the town received Bill Miles’ resignation as clerk-treasurer on Oct. 17. The council then held a special meeting on Oct. 26 to officially approve it.
Miles was recently charged with multiple counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. Meanwhile, Bray continues to work with the town.
With Utilities Operator Joe Cash absent, Bray was joined at the meeting by Town Attorney Jeff Boggess and the whole council of Trusty, Jerry Huff and C.J. Huller.
The next regular meeting of the Fillmore Town Council is set for Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Fillmore Town Hall.