By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
The Glasgow Electric Plant Board of Directors had their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26, in the GEPB office, at 100 Mallory Dr., where the board members discussed various agenda items including the “approval of the rules and regulations approved by the Tennessee Valley Authority” and to ratify the actions of the programing committee. Also on the agenda was the approval of funds needed for Phase 2 of the GEPB’s Fiber Internet program.
The GEPB’s Fiber Internet program represents the biggest broadband upgrade since the creation of the plant board in 1962. According to Aaron Russell, communications director at EPB, the program — which will occur in phases slowly encompassing all of the city — will increase internet speeds and its reliability.
David Puskala, superintendent of the plant board, said Phase 1 has been going very well. He said, while they had some delays due to weather and the supply chain, there are currently about 30 households connected on the Fiber Internet. Puskala said the plant board crews connect roughly 5 to 10 customers each day and they are in the process of scheduling more fiber hook-ups.
“I would say it’s been successful,” Puskala said. “Took a little longer than we wanted, but now we’re rolling.”
To date, Puskala said, they have spent roughly $495,000 out of the $1.8 million set aside for Phase 1. As previously reported, phase 1 is set to be the smallest of the four phases.
Puskala said now that Phase 1 is “rolling,” he went before the board of directors for their approval of the Phase 2 funds. Phase 2 will encompass 3,600 homes and businesses, Puskala said, and he asked for $4.3 million from their existing $5.4 million broadband fund to be set aside.
While Phase 2 will “really spend down” that fund, Puskala said, there will be some money coming in to replenish part of that fund. For example, in Phase 1, Puskala said, they will bring in roughly $600,000 in services and new customers and Phase 2 will bring in about $1.2 million. Although that revenue will replenish some of the funds, Puskala said, they might have to go out and look for ways to finance the remaining phases.
He said the $4.3 million is a “conservative” number and will likely be decreased as they find ways to lower costs “without sacrificing services” like going out for bids and evaluating their installation process.
“We think we can improve that number,” Puskala said. “I think it’s a very conservative number.”
The board approved the earmarking of these funds unanimously. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 5 p.m.
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