Willard council approves Send Away telecommunications franchise to serve underserved areas

Willard City Council voted to approve a telecommunications franchise agreement for Send Away after the company described a rural deployment plan aimed at addresses the state identified as underserved.

Brian, identified in the transcript as the applicant’s representative, told the council the company would begin planning immediately and expected to break ground in the spring. He said the project targets data points on state maps that show locations below the federal thresholds (25 Mbps down/3 Mbps up for “unserved” and 100 Mbps down/20 Mbps up for “underserved”), and that the deployment is funded through federal aid allocated to the state’s rural broadband program.

The council pressed the applicant and staff on routing and easement questions. Jeremy (staff) confirmed much of the work will take place in state right-of-way and that the company expects to rely on existing easements where possible. Brian said most of the network will be underground but that poles may be used in rocky areas. He also emphasized that the company hires locally and provides a local point of contact for repairs.

Council members expressed concern about prior instances where a local provider strung lines through private yards and urged the company to avoid repeat controversies. One council member proposed creating a neutral sign-up mechanism so residents who lack adequate service can submit information without the city appearing to endorse a specific carrier; other members urged caution about promoting a particular provider publicly.

A motion to approve the Send Away telecommunications franchise agreement was moved and seconded. The council voted in favor and the motion carried.

The council did not debate contract text at length at the meeting; staff and legal review had previously circulated materials in the meeting packet. The applicant and city agreed to coordinate on right-of-way use, repair contacts and community outreach going forward.