First off, I would like to say that I really do think that having Warwick
Broadband be available to our town HAS been a wonderful asset and resource,
and I think these online discussions have been beneficial as we are able to
bring thoughts, fears, and new ideas to the table. I applaud all of the
people who have put their own personal time into making this an effective
resource and working system.
As I have mentioned, I don't think investing in better Broadband equipment
for faster speeds is the worst option, however, there are some unresolved
issues that I personally would like to see corrected before I jump on the
"Let's spend more money and Improve the Broadband Bandwagon".
Customer Service: As I have pointed out, this has to be addressed. I have
personally received very poor customer service, and from what I can gather,
I am definitely not alone. As with any business - there are other options.
In order for the Warwick Broadband service to sustain enough business to
continue to thrive, and take on and pay off another debt, there has to be
improvements made, otherwise, people CAN AND WILL go elsewhere. Just as in
any other case, if you're not happy with a service, you find another one.
If I am not happy with my wireless provider, I will look into other
options, and although our options are limited, there are most definitely,
other options. People deserve good customer service, despite any personal
resentments employees of the Town of Warwick may have on a paying customer.
Billing: This seems to be a major issue, and one that was addressed at the
November 10th of 2014 select-board meeting, although, none of the changes
promised have ever occurred. How many of you think your payments are
up-to-date because your billing statements don't say otherwise? Well, don't
be so certain. Imagine being told you missed a payment 3 or 4 YEARS prior
after you thought you were paid ahead. Yes. That happened. Here is an
excerpt from the minutes of that November meeting:
*5. Broadband Governance--Young said that Board member Patricia Lemon*
*had called for this item to be placed on the agenda, who was absent from*
*this meeting. He explained his billing practices for Warwick Broadband*
*(WBS), in which an Email or hard copy bill is sent and is supposed to be*
*paid by the first of the month. Young said he works with those who fall*
*behind and very rarely shuts off service. He noted that the data*
*base is now able to create a statement of past due accounts, and that he*
*is working on a cleaner history report which will make things better. *
*Young said that since WBS went online five and a half years ago in*
*April of 2009, he has issued 6500 invoices to customers totaling*
*$441,000.00, and issued 822 vendor invoices as well. He said the system*
*currently serves 178 customers, which represents more than half the*
*households in Warwick. Young pointed out that since WBS works off of an*
*enterprise fund, no taxpayer revenue has ever been used to fund*
*broadband in Town. He said that the Selectboard, as WBS Board of*
*Governors, can decide to hire a bookkeeper or charge late fees as it**sees
fit.*
(Sorry..I'm on digest so I respond once a day)
Since Broadband only services Warwick residents, it is reasonable to say
that when Warwick's population decreases, Broadband customers will too. So
my question is, "Would Broadband still be able to make the proposed loan
payment amount if it had half the customers?
If broadband currently operates at a 30-40k surplus annually and the loan
amount is 240k and the interest at 1 or 2% then how exactly could that
possibly be paid off in 5 years? A 0% interest loan would take at least 6
years with us throwing 40k at it annually. At 30k, that would be 8 years.
Again - at no interest and that's with the provision that Broadband loses
no customers through the loan period to retain its current profit margin.
Is there a loan match or a grant or reserves involved that I missed because
the numbers aren't adding up.
I personally support Warwick on Broadband. I believe in anything that
keeps Warwick money in Warwick. But I don't see connectivity as an "us vs.
them" proposition. I have no need to shut out Time Warner or WiredWest
because we have Broadband or vice versa. I see it as an open market
providing residents with options of what works for them. But there are two
issues that personally give me pause when considering a loan :
1. Future Projections. Equipment needs constant upgrades (current
situation case in point) as technology advances. Will Broadband still pay
for itself with half the subscribers? Will it be able to afford future
upgrades if there are only 375 users? And who and how will this system be
maintained when David is not here? Do most Town Administrators know how to
run a Broadband system or are chances high we'd have to hire a Network
Admin in conjunction with a Town Administrator? Is the system "state of
emergency" worthy? In short, because of the projections, I want to know
with due diligence that we're not pouring more money into something that
down the line winds up abandoned because we don't have the means to
maintain and operate it.
2. Fair and Equal Access. Against my better judgment, I'd vote yes in a
New York minute if Broadband was borrowing to ensure all of Warwick had
equal access. But it's not. It's talking about a considerable increase to
lucky customers, an incremental increase to trapped customers and still
does nothing for those with zero access. I've watched a lot of my friends
struggle with connectivity the past 4 years - mostly families (and one
computer professional.) My friend Erika has even openly vented about it
here on the L. If Broadband is a town wide effort then it needs to be
equitable and accessible town wide first. Spend the money and approve
necessary edits that are good for everyone and then talk upgrade.
In short, I don't understand the big rush over broadband like we're
working against some ticking bomb. We're not. It's an upgrade..not an
emergent repair. And knowing we face future financial challenges that
require forethought makes me even less inclined to hop on a hooting and
hollering bandwagon that's flying by with people hanging out the windows
screaming that I have to get on right now. No, no I don't.
denyse dar
Painting the world happy!
www.denysedar.com
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