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Intrepid Fiber details safety, notification changes and proposes soft restart in Frederick
Summary
After construction complaints and at least one utility strike, Intrepid Fiber told the board it has tightened utility-protection procedures, replaced a subcontractor, increased resident notification and inspections, and proposed a slower 'soft restart' of construction that will extend build timelines into late 2026 or 2027.
Representatives from Intrepid Fiber presented a progress and remediation update to the board and asked permission to resume construction under a more cautious, phased approach.
Shane Pever and Jeff Palacic described the company's progress to date — approximately 2,500 home connections and roughly 250 subscribers — and outlined steps taken after community complaints and utility location issues. Those steps include following subsurface utility engineering (SUE) methods, requesting locates from utility owners, extending potholing and slot-trench work until lines are positively identified, replacing a subcontractor that drew multiple complaints, instituting on-site inspectors, and adding resident notifications (door hangers documented with a photo and mailed notices). The company also said it has added vehicle and crew-management rules (carpooling and proper registration) and conducted a contractor-wide "safety stand down" on utility protection and strike response.
"Safety is by far our top priority," a company representative said, and the presenters acknowledged the restart will be intentionally slower than the original plan. Intrepid estimated that phase 1 coverage originally expected by the end of the summer is now likely to extend into the end of 2026 or potentially into 2027.
Town staff said they have increased coordination and will hold routine meetings and inspections to monitor progress; staff recommended a soft restart with selected neighborhoods and stronger preconstruction coordination with utilities (including a locate-meet where utilities walk the planned work). The board expressed support for the more cautious plan and for increased accountability and communication with residents.
The presenters asked the town to approve the controlled soft restart so construction could resume in permitted areas with added protections. The board indicated support and staff said they would continue monitoring contractor performance and community feedback.
