Internet speed improvements for Sharon are expected (truly) in 2022

SHARON — Could 2022 be the year that Sharon residents finally get high-speed internet service? Recent developments provide reason for optimism, according to the Sharon Connect Task Force, whose members gave an update over Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 8, to 28 virtual attendees.

Task Force Co-chair Jill Drew described how telecommunications engineers will be roaming streets and byways to map the utility poles of Sharon during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

This is a finishing step of a $30,000 pilot study, approved by the selectmen in June, exploring feasibility of creating a fiber optic network that would be owned by the town.

Sertex Broadband Solutions, a Plainfield, Conn., company, and Pike Telecom, a North Carolina construction firm, are expected to report on design requirements, estimated construction and connection costs, and projected uptake and annual operating/maintenance costs at a public meeting in January 2022.

Building a municipal fiber network would take several years and could be the most costly option for Sharon, Drew said, yet it would give the town true 1-gigabit per second download and upload capacity, as well as autonomy over pricing, levels of service, caps on data usage, and other factors now controlled by broadband corporations.

At the same time, attendees were told that Comcast and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection expect to hear a response in January to their joint application to the $268 million National Telecommunications and Information Administration grant fund.

If approved, their proposal would in 2022 underwrite a build-out of Comcast’s existing coaxial cable network to unserved residences and businesses, currently 240 homes and 27 miles of public roads — although data transmission speeds would be slower than what fiber networks typically provide.

Should the grant not come through, Comcast has floated the idea of a “cost-sharing” initiative through which town funds would subsidize connection in these hard-to-reach topographies.

Co-chair Meghan Flanagan described Comcast as showing new willingness to cooperate with and respond to Task Force inquiries, not only regarding network-building plans but also in addressing internet access problems faced by individuals.

Flanagan reminded attendees that the Task Force is eager to help anyone in town sort through internet options and to advocate on behalf of individuals dealing with broadband providers.

“Our job as a task force is not to advocate for any particular approach,” said Drew. “We are trying to research all the available options and present the pros and cons of each.”

Selectman Casey Flanagan praised the efforts of the all-volunteer task force and thanked them for their efforts over the past two years. “This has been a long time coming, and this actually feels real now.”

A video of the community update meeting can be viewed via the Task Force Web site, https://sharonconnect.org/

Latest News

Salisbury ski jumpers put on show for students

Gus Tripler prepares to jump from the new 36-meter jump.

Margaret Banker

SALISBURY - With the Winter Olympics just weeks away, Olympic dreams felt a little closer to home for Salisbury Central School students on Feb. 4, when student ski jumpers from the Salisbury Winter Sports Association put on a live demonstration at the Satre Hill Ski Jumping Complex for more than 300 classmates and teachers.

With screams of delight, student-athletes soared through the air, showcasing years of training and focus for an audience of their peers. The atmosphere was electric as the jumpers soaked up the attention like local celebrities.

Keep ReadingShow less
Classifieds - February 5, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Scoville Memorial Library: is seeking an experienced Development Coordinator to provide high-level support for our fundraising initiatives on a contract basis. This contractor will play a critical role in donor stewardship, database management, and the execution of seasonal appeals and events. The role is ideal for someone who is deeply connected to the local community and skilled at building authentic relationships that lead to meaningful support. For a full description of the role and to submit a letter of interest and resume, contact Library Director Karin Goodell, kgoodell@scovillelibrary.org.

Keep ReadingShow less
Legal Notices - February 5, 2026

Legal Notice

The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2026-0307 by Amber Construction and Design Inc for vertical expansion of a nonconforming structure at 120 Wells Hill Road, Lakeville, Map 36, Lot 09 per Section 503.2 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The Owners of the property are Joseph Edward Costa and Elyse Catherine Nelson. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application materials will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/planning-zoning-meeting-documents/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies of the agenda, meeting instructions, and application materials may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM at the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury CT.

Keep ReadingShow less
Putting a stamp on Norfolk

Antonio Alcalá

Provided

As part of the Norfolk Economic Development Commission’s campaign to celebrate the Norfolk Post Office and the three women who run it — Postmaster Michelle Veronesi and mother-and-daughter postal clerks Kathy Bascetta and Jenna Brown — the EDC has invited USPS art director and stamp designer Antonio Alcalá for a visit.

Postage stamps designed by Antonio Alcalá.Provided

Keep ReadingShow less