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Council vows follow‑up after residents and councilors report broadband gaps around Graham Lake
Summary
Councilors discussed mapping errors that left portions of the Grand Lake/Grama Way area without reliable high‑speed service despite provider build lists; staff will follow up with Maine Connectivity Authority, review BEAD/BEAD mapping and assign a project manager to advance options for the affected residents.
Councilor Stein brought an item back to the floor after several residents reported that grant and provider maps incorrectly showed fiber coverage for parts of Grama Way and Branch Pond Road when service was never delivered.
Staff said much mapping is reported by census block and that if a single building in a block has service, the whole block can be marked as covered. The council heard that Fidium initially included the area on a build list but then deferred the project because of cost, and that Federal BEAD mapping and MCA (Maine Connectivity Authority) polygon awards have introduced additional complexity.
Council directed staff to assign an internal lead to follow up with MCA (contact Kendra Jo Bridal referenced in the exchange), to re‑examine mapping, and to keep the issue on the project management priority list. The mayor and city manager also floated interim options—such as subsidized satellite service or outreach to providers to re‑evaluate build feasibility—but emphasized staff should first exhaust BEAD/MCA and provider mapping corrections. Residents were invited to share any correspondence with providers to support the city’s outreach.
