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Winfield presses AT&T after resident complaints about backyard fiber work; manager secures corrective action
Summary
After residents reported AT&T crews doing directional boring in backyard easements without clear notice, the village threatened a stop‑work order, got prompt corrective action (restored cut lines) and required improved door‑to‑door notification; future permits for other fiber providers will be conditioned on clearer construction notices.
Trustees raised resident complaints about AT&T contractors performing directional boring in utility easements across the village without adequate homeowner notification. The village manager described staff steps taken to resolve the problem and to improve future permitting.
According to the village manager, staff reviewed the permit issued to AT&T and found a condition requiring resident notification. After receiving multiple complaints, staff prepared to issue a stop‑work order and contacted AT&T executives. The village manager said AT&T representatives responded quickly, restored a cut phone line that affected a resident, and agreed to increase on‑the‑ground communication: additional door‑to‑door notices and reflyering so homeowners would be aware of upcoming work.
Staff said complaints have dropped after the corrective steps and that phase one of the work should complete by the end of the next week. Phase two — pulling fiber through installed conduits — will begin later; the village said future permit approvals for EZ Fiber and Lumos will include a review of contractors’ construction notices before permits are issued so residents receive clearer information.
Why it matters: Residents reported loss of service and lack of notice; the village’s intervention restored service and imposed stronger expectations on contractor communications. Trustees asked staff to require clearer resident notices before issuing future permits.
Next steps: The village will require improved contractor notifications for future permits and maintain a point of contact for resident complaints.
