Residents told the Roads & Safety Committee on Jan. 8 that private fiber construction in Stowe had caused damage to lawns, light posts and landscaping, and raised concerns about notification, repeated excavation and multiple utility boxes being installed in front yards.

Engineering staff described the permitting and inspection process that private fiber companies must follow. "All contractors performing work within the city right of way or utility easement are required to submit plans and apply for a permit," the engineer explained, adding that contractors must post a surety bond and that the city conducts a final inspection before returning the bond. The engineer said contractors are required to provide two forms of notification to affected properties (for example, mailers and door hangers).

The committee confirmed the city issued a stop‑work order to MetroNet (now referred to in parts of the record as T Fiber) after reported utility hits and resident claims. The engineer said MetroNet met with the city, addressed the specific discrepancies and provided documentation that mailers had been sent; after the issues were resolved the city allowed work to resume.

Residents urged stronger oversight. "If a shrub or a flower bed is within a utility easement, the contractor is not required to replace it if damage or if it dies by the type of work," an engineer said, adding that the contractor had been willing to provide white flags to help homeowners mark private irrigation and pet fencing before work.

Mayor and law office staff signaled potential regulatory steps the city is exploring, short of preempting PUCO authority. Law Director Riley noted that state rules administered by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio limit some local controls but said the city is looking at fine‑tuning local contractor registration and bonding requirements to increase accountability for subcontractors.

Why it matters: homeowners reported both property damage and uncertainty about how long construction disruptions would persist. The city said it will hold contractors to their bonds until restoration is complete, will provide more information about mailings when available, and is considering modest ordinance adjustments to strengthen local registration and oversight of subcontractors.