Dumont Telephone outlines fiber route, board queries drainage protections and permit retainer
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Summary
Roger Craig Olsen of Dumont Telephone briefed the board on fiber expansion needing multiple crossings; supervisors emphasized protecting century-old drainage tile and explained the district’s permit practice of retaining $2,500 per crossing until post-inspection, with the typical refundable portion being $7,500 per crossing after inspection.
Roger Craig Olsen, representing Dumont Telephone, asked the Franklin County Board about permit terms and cost expectations for a proposed fiber expansion that would require several road crossings.
Olsen summarized engineering showing eight crossings to reach three customers and asked whether the county had an estimate for the refundable portion of the permit retainer. County staff explained the standard practice: a $10,000 payment per crossing with the county keeping a minimum $2,500 to cover inspections and potential post-construction remedies, then returning the remainder after Lee (county inspection) submits his bill. A county staff member explained, “If his bill comes in at $1,000, that’s covered in the $2,500; we’re not keeping it beyond what’s needed.”
Discussion focused on known risks from directional boring and past incidents where contractors inadvertently damaged or filled tiles with grout. Supervisors urged Dumont to use local directional-bore contractors and to pre-locate tile with a tile-contractor to reduce risk. Olsen agreed to send the board a follow-up email outlining the $10,000 breakdown and the company’s plan for locating and protecting tile.
No permit award or change in policy occurred at the meeting; the presenter was asked to provide documentation and maps of the proposed crossings for staff review.
