The Town of Cheshire Building Committee approved funding to cover the first 12 months of fiber service for each new elementary school, accepting a staff recommendation to select Frontier as the provider.

Staff explained Frontier provides redundancy not available from the other vendor considered (Crown Castle) and does not charge an installation fee. The committee approved a prepayment option for the first year of service at $610 per month for 12 months — $7,320 per school — with state reimbursement available: 65% for Barnum and 50% for Norton as outlined by staff.

A member asked whether the recurring subscription-style expense fell within the building committee’s authority; staff replied that the state’s review and the carve-out for a reimbursable installation makes this an allowable owner expense that the building committee may authorize. Committee members moved and seconded motions to prepay the annual amounts for Norton and Barnum; both motions passed by unanimous voice vote.

Staff agreed to supply the committee with prepayment logistics, a purchase order and documentation showing how state reimbursement will be handled for auditing and closeout.