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Local presenter says Area 1 fiber funding will bring service to about 224 Orange addresses
Summary
A presenter told the March 3 town meeting that an Area 1 broadband grant has been secured and about 224 Orange addresses will be served; an "affordable drop" program will cover pole‑to‑home drop costs under the grant, but federal historic and national permits still need sign‑offs.
Orange — A presenter at the town meeting said the town is included in the Area 1 phase of a broadband build and that construction should reach the Orange area after work already underway in nearby towns.
The presenter, who identified herself as Siobhan Pecole, told voters the project has the Area 1 funding and most local permits and agreements in place but that historic‑preservation and other federal sign‑offs remain. She said construction is already under way in Cabot and Marshfield and will travel through Plainfield to reach Orange; the grant covers the expensive drop from the pole to a property under the program the company is calling the "affordable drop." The presenter said roughly 224 addresses in Orange are included in the grant area.
She described service tiers and sample pricing: a business tier up to 300 Gbps, a 2 Gbps residential tier at $249 per month and a 100 Mbps residential tier at $79 per month. She said the network is being developed as a nonprofit endeavor and that the exact details for implementing the affordable drop program are still being finalized.
The presenter invited residents with specific situations (long drops, underground service) to follow up; she offered to return to the meeting or be contacted after staff reviews the grant rules. The project timeline the presenter gave estimated construction work in Area 1 could start at the end of this year or early next year, subject to federal clearances.
What to watch: residents who want the service should confirm addresses on the list referenced at the meeting and watch for follow‑up announcements about enrollment and drop‑installation details.
