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State-authorized fiber crews to start installs in Beecher; trustees warn residents about easement work
Summary
Trustees discussed an upcoming state-supported fiber installation that will use utility easements and directional boring; the village says the work is authorized by state law and residents will receive door hangers and QR-code notices.
Trustees reported that a state-authorized broadband project will begin installing fiber in parts of Beecher the week of June 2, and that crews will work within utility easements using directional boring.
"We had a meeting. Matt and I had a meeting with SIRF representatives... they're gonna start, where they're putting the fairway, Miller and Orchard East, fir and forest area. Installing their fiber. June 2 is kind of the projected start date," a trustee reported at the May 27 meeting. The speaker said the company will distribute door hangers two to three weeks before work begins in each section and that parkway signs with QR codes will show contact information.
Trustees and staff told residents the village cannot block companies that are authorized under state law to use utility easements for broadband expansion. "Just for the record, this is a state law. We have no control over them coming or not coming. If they're coming, we're forcing them into the utility easement," a trustee said.
Officials said the contractor handling locates is DirectLine and that directional boring will be used in many places so yards will not be dug up. They also warned that if multiple providers each perform separate bores through the same area, residential property could see repeated work and the village has limited authority to prevent that because the state grant program and related statute authorize access to easements.
Trustees said they have discussed restoration responsibility and will try to coordinate with providers; they expect to receive section-by-section schedules from the provider and to share marketing materials and a contractor phone number so residents can direct questions to the installer.
No formal board action was taken; trustees urged residents to watch for notices and to use posted contractor contact information for complaints or questions.
