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Somerset board hears plan for $15.5 million, 144‑mile underground fiber network
Summary
A Ripple Fiber representative told the Somerset Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners the company plans a $15.5 million, roughly 144‑mile underground broadband build through town, with a 24–36 month timetable; the board and staff raised concerns about utility locates, trench depth and staffing impacts.
Stephen Maher of Ripple Fiber told the Somerset Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners on June 3 that the company plans to install about 144 miles of underground fiber in town in a project the company values at $15.5 million and expects to complete in 24 to 36 months.
The presentation described installation with a ditch‑witch at roughly 20 to 24 inches deep, an anticipated pace of about 2,000 feet per day, and a plan to leave approximately 5–10% of private ways out of the build. "This will be a $15.5M investment," Maher said. Ripple told the board it will run direct‑to‑home service and intends to build a local service center with technicians in the Southcoast region.
Why it matters: an underground build of this size would require close coordination with utilities and town permitting, affect street work schedules, and add routine field‑work burdens for town crews. Superintendent Christopher Wickman told the board the project "will be a full‑time job for us" and asked whether Ripple would reimburse or hire the town to perform utility locates and other support; Ripple said it is not interested in paying for utility locates currently. Wickman also raised concerns about sewer depth conflicts and other buried utilities.
Ripple said it will request GIS files from the water, sewer and other utilities and expects to provide plans within about 60 to 90 days. When asked about experience in Massachusetts, Ripple said it has active contracts in Holden and West Boylston. The board asked for information on prior Massachusetts work and for plans so staff can review conflicts with existing infrastructure.
What’s next: Ripple is in the planning stage and the company and town staff will exchange GIS and plan information. Board members signaled interest in reviewing the engineering plans and in clarifying who is responsible for utility locating and any needed repairs before construction.
