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County weighs limited resumption of Lumos fiber work after utility strikes
Summary
Commissioners heard that multiple strikes of underground utilities prompted a stop-work order for Lumos; county staff recommended allowing only non-drilling fiber pulls while limiting drilling to 5,000–10,000 linear feet per week and reassessing. Commissioners were split on the proposal.
County staff told the Board of Commissioners that multiple utility strikes — including gas and water lines — led to a stop-work order for Lumos fiber construction earlier in June, and that the order was briefly lifted before being reinstated after further incidents. Nick Creevy said the county allowed work to resume June 23 but reinstated the stop-work order June 27 after additional strikes and a reported water-line hit.
Creevy told the board he recommended allowing Lumos to continue work where fiber can be pulled without additional drilling and to limit drilling to “10,000–5,000 linear feet a week” while county locating teams catch up. Darren Stout, a Lumos representative, told the board that Lumos “take[s] ownership of all strikes” and described monthly safety training. Al Knable and Frank Loop expressed support for a monitored, temporary resumption; Vice President Jason Sharp said he wanted a more detailed corrective-action plan before allowing drilling to continue.
The board did not record a formal vote beyond the earlier agenda addition; Commissioners said they would reassess Lumos operations after the short trial period. The discussion included residents’ complaints and requests for clear on-site Lumos contacts; Mr. Stout distributed his business card for direct follow-up.
