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Interlaken council votes to pursue franchise agreement with Comcast for fiber installation
Summary
The Interlaken Town Council voted April 1 to ask its attorney to review a draft franchise agreement with Comcast for a volunteer-provided, at-cost fiber-optic buildout and to position the town for installation this summer.
The Interlaken Town Council on April 1 authorized staff to pursue a franchise agreement with Comcast to allow the company to install a fiber-optic network in town and asked the town attorney to review a draft agreement.
Councilors and staff said Comcast would install most infrastructure at no cost to the town and residents would pay the usual connection and subscription fees if they choose service. Town staff said the work could begin as soon as this spring and continue into the fall, and that any road cuts would be subject to town specifications and a one-year liability/repair period following service activation.
Town staff described how Comcast’s contractor, Mastech, submitted a right-of-way permit application before a franchise was in place. Bart, a town staff member, told the council that Comcast “is willing to come in here, install all the infrastructure for fiber optic, for free,” and that the company was approaching Interlaken as part of a larger program to fill service gaps. Bart also recommended the council forward the draft franchise to the town attorney for review before formal approval.
Council members expressed support for pursuing the agreement, citing broadband reliability and future-proofing if the existing local provider changes ownership or withdraws. Staff noted the typical homeowner installation would involve a short trench and a one-inch conduit to the house; new-customer installation fees were described as roughly $300–$500 and advertised retail speeds up to 1 gigabit (promotional first-year pricing noted by staff).
Staff said Comcast would attempt to bore under roads and driveways where possible to avoid asphalt cuts but acknowledged some cuts might be required; the company must meet the town’s trench and patch specifications and carry a 365-day repair obligation starting when Comcast offers service. The town attorney will review the draft franchise for legal and operational terms before the council considers final approval.
The council approved a motion to proceed with pursuing a franchise agreement and to forward the draft to the town attorney for review. The motion carried on an oral vote.
