Chebeague Island Broadband

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Overview & Links

June 04, 2024

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Overview

 The current Chebeague Broadband Committee has met since April, 2021 with updates reported on the Town Web Site, as well as in face to face venues and Zoom meetings. 
  1. We developed a Request for Proposal (RFP)  which was released July 13, 2021.
  2. Axiom Technologies was selected to provide town-owned Internet service to Chebeague
  3. Broadband has been a discussion item at many Wednesday evening Select Board meetings.
  4. On December 4, 2021, 83% of Chebeague voters present at Town Meeting voted to approve $975,000 to match/exceed funding from the State of Maine ConnectMaine Authority.
  5. On March 20, 2022, the Broadband Committee submitted a grant application to the ConnectMaine Authority in the amount of $800,000.
  6. On April 27, 2022, the ConnectMaine Authority voted to approve our grant request for $800,000 in funding to be matched by as much as $975,000 as authorized by our Town Meeting last December, 2021. Of the eight (8) awards made out of 23 applying towns or groups of towns, Chebeague was #1.  The Committee extends its gratitude to all who have been supportive throughout this challenging process.
  7. On s February 23, 2023 the ConnectMaine Authority increased the grant funding by $170,00 to $970,000 in recognition of a switch from State to Federal funding and several unanticipated expenses.
  8. Debt service for the grant will be funded by Axiom from subscriber revenues; no increase in taxes due to broadband
  9. Through the subsequent months, the Committee worked to secure needed financing, and make-ready arrangements with Axiom, Consolidated Communications, Central Maine Power, the Maine Connectivity Authority,  and the Town of Chebeague Island.
  10. Construction to is planned to start in April, 2024 with completion by July, 2024
     

 

Broadband Committee

Michael Porter <mporter@mp-marine.com>, chair
Michael Grew <michael.grew@gmail.com>
Ehrhardt Groothoff <ehrhardtg53@gmail.com>
Richard Hackel <richardhackel@gmail.com>
David Hill <drhill@chebeague.net>, Board of Selectmen liaison
Adam Kagan <adam@kaganfamily.com>
Gary Oderda <Gary.Oderda@pharm.utah.edu>
Vail Traina <sunsethill20@gmail.com>

 

Meetings on Zoom
(typically Mondays, 5:00 pm)

https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID is 326 962 753
Password for the meeting is 175989

 

New Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
How to sign up if you qualify

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/03/03/affordable-connectivity-program-faq/

 

Town Websites
https://www.townofchebeagueisland.org/

https://www.chebeague.org/ 

 

Some Informational Links
Axiom Technolgies
FCC
​Island Institute
​ConnectMaine
​Maine Broadband Coalition