Whiteland authorizes Brightspeed MOU requiring sewer camera, insurance and bond before underground work

Whiteland Town Council voted to let the town manager sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Brightspeed that sets requirements for the company’s underground fiber work in town.

Town staff described the MOU as providing protections above what the town will adopt in a forthcoming right‑of‑way ordinance amendment. The MOU requires pre‑ and post‑construction camera inspection of sanitary sewer lines in areas of underground boring, a replenishable $100,000 bond maintained for two years after construction, and a certificate of insurance with $3,000,000 limits. The town’s sewer staff will review the camera recordings and document any active defects discovered during inspection.

A Brightspeed representative on the call said the company wants to begin the underground portion of the project as soon as possible and that Brightspeed believes the MOU goes “above and beyond” the town’s planned ordinance requirements. Council members asked whether the town would receive the camera recordings; staff confirmed recordings would be turned over to the town for review.

Council President called a motion and the MOU passed on a roll‑call vote of 3–0. Staff were authorized to execute the MOU so Brightspeed could proceed with the underground work while the council and legal counsel finish the planned right‑of‑way ordinance amendments.

Ending: Councilors said the agreement provided appropriate protections for the town’s buried infrastructure and allowed Brightspeed to begin underground construction while the town completes its ordinance update.