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Harrison Township approves METRO Act permit for Ezee Fiber to install underground broadband
Summary
Trustees approved a METRO Act permit allowing Ezee Fiber to install primarily underground fiber in Harrison Township; the Township attorney recommended approval and the Clerk said the Act limits local control over timing and process.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Harrison Township Board of Trustees on Oct. 14 approved a METRO Act permit for Ezee Fiber to install fiber infrastructure in the township's public rights-of-way.
Clerk Adam Wit told the board that Ezee Fiber is a multi-state fiber provider whose network passes over 225,000 homes and connects more than 40,000 residents. The company submitted a METRO Act application to place primarily underground fiber and indicated a preference for front-yard installation when possible. The Township attorney reviewed the application and recommended approval.
"The act also limits our control as the local government and approval at this point is more of a formality in the process," the Clerk said during the meeting. The METRO Act establishes a standardized permitting process for telecommunication providers to use public rights-of-way and sets a permit-fee structure intended to compensate local governments while streamlining deployment.
Trustee Lawrence Tomenello moved and Trustee Liza Brown seconded approval of the METRO Act permit; the motion carried. The minutes note that Ezee Fiber has received METRO Act approvals from neighboring communities and indicated it plans to begin installation where it secures permits and permissions first.
