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Selectboard weighs phone/fiber upgrade and VTC tech request amid budget caution
Summary
Town staff reported Wi‑Fi backup phones can only support three devices and providers recommend fiber to support five phones; the town also faces a $40,000 contract cost if it switches IT vendors, prompting selectboard caution about extra spending.
Town officials told the Selectboard that recent testing found the town's Wi‑Fi backup phones support only three devices and that a minimum of five phones would be needed; the provider recommended a fiber upgrade and said the town could be responsible for any difference in cost. Tommy O'Connor described vendor options and noted the town currently uses Comcast business internet but that Spectrum VoIP was mentioned as an alternative.
The board also discussed a Vermont Tech Company (VTC) request for a remote‑access device to allow off‑site support. Town members said switching IT providers now would require paying out the remainder of the VTC contract, estimated at about $40,000. "Until we get the budget under control we should not spend any extra money unless absolutely necessary," Julia Andrews said. Deb Jorschick questioned whether the town should pay for vendor convenience, and Casey Mathieu asked whether VTC's request could constitute a breach of contract.
