Woodstock board approves broadband funds

WOODSTOCK — Woodstock selectmen last week approved $2,500 from the town’s Tangible Fund Account to go toward advancing access to broadband internet in the area, according to the meeting’s unofficial minutes.

Members of the Mahoosuc Community Broadband Committee met with the board Feb. 2 and described the need for reliable, affordable, high-speed internet in much of the area. Grant money is available to assist in early steps toward upgrading service, they said. If each of the four Bethel-area towns and Albany Township (via Oxford County Commissioners) contribute $2,500 toward contracted area mapping and cost analysis assistance, there would be matching funds available to cover the rest of the cost of that work, which would total $32,000.

In other business at last week’s meeting, selectmen approved memorandum of understanding agreements to use Mills Road as a detour, and the lower town ball field as headquarters for the upcoming Route 26 rehabilitation project. The detour is subject to Maine Department of Transportation approval, and it is possible it will not be used, the minutes said.

The road Memo of Understanding provides for MDOT to do repairs to Mills Road if any damage occurs as a result of its use as a detour, and for sealant to be applied to the road afterward.

Installing a box culvert for the Roadside Spring runoff is expected to take 30 days this summer. The spring is located on Route 26 near Mills Road.

Fire truck

Fire Chief Kyle Hopps presented information to the selectmen about the possible purchase of a squad truck, which would fit the department’s needs and replace the current squad truck, according to the minutes.

The cost would be $31,000. The board approved a 10 % deposit with the condition that the company hold the truck for 30 to 90 days.

The town would need to vote to sell the current truck and purchase the new one. The funds would come from both the reserve account and the Fire Department budget.

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