Burns Harbor approves Frontier permit extensions for three fiber projects through Dec. 30, 2025
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Summary
The board voted to extend three Frontier outside-plant permits to Dec. 30, 2025. Frontier representatives said schedule adjustments and internal prioritization delayed the work; the company will provide route prints to the Burns Harbor building department.
The Burns Harbor board voted to extend three Frontier outside-plant permits for fiber construction until Dec. 30, 2025, after Frontier officials said internal scheduling changes delayed the projects.
"This is back in our schedule, so we're asking for the extensions," Oscar Rodriguez, outside plant engineer for Frontier, told the board. Rodriguez said the company funds most projects internally and that the delays were due to shifting priorities across the state; he did not identify a specific external cause for the delay.
A board member moved to extend all three permits to Dec. 30, 2025; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll call vote. The transcript records votes of "Yes" from the following members during the roll call: Bernie Haviarag, Roseanne Bozak, Michelle Watkins, Gordon McCormick and Jeremy Newhart. The permit identified in the agenda as "Frontier permit extension 221122213022131" was discussed as part of the three-project package.
Frontier agreed to supply detailed route prints to the Burns Harbor building department and to place door tags and right-of-way signage when crews work in neighborhoods. Rodriguez said a centralized Frontier phone number is available for residents to report issues. The company’s inspector, Eric Wright, was present online and offered to drop prints or meet on site as needed.
Board members asked whether the extended dates would be sufficient; Rodriguez said two of the three projects already had December 30 dates and that extending the third to match would be appropriate. Board members also raised concerns about mapping of underground infrastructure: town staff said the town’s records for street-light circuit locations are incomplete because an earlier contractor is no longer in business and some engineering documents could not be located. Frontier said the prints should help the town avoid accidental cuts and that the company will repair any damages caused by its contractors.
The board directed Frontier to provide prints to the Burns Harbor building department (town hall on State Road 149; the building department is on Navajo behind it) and to coordinate with town staff on special instructions before work begins.
