Council discusses fiber optic project

The Thompson Falls City Council met last week for a public hearing to discuss city zoning related to marijuana sales. The city passed Ordinance 350, which would act like an “emergency zoning ordinance,” as Mayor Mark Sheets put it. The ordinance details where marijuana businesses can sell their product, stating that any such business must be located on the south side of Main Street, among the other major businesses. The ordinance was passed to meet with state requirements which determine the proximity of such businesses from schools and churches.

According to Sheets, the city does not want businesses to make a habit of forming in residential areas. “We want to maintain the residential nature of the neighborhoods,” he said. He spoke about the few small home businesses that are already located in the residential area, saying that they are quite small and by their nature do not draw a lot of traffic. The city’s worry would be mainly traffic drawn in by such a business.

The city also met with Blackfoot representatives during the meeting. JB Ray, the Network Infrastructure Manager for Blackfoot, spoke about complaints given by community members regarding the fiber optic project. Blackfoot has been working through a contractor to put in the fiber optic lines. Ray said he understands there is a mess but assured the council that it is a very big project. The crews will be going behind themselves to clean up as they get closer to the finish line. “It’s a big job. It truly, truly is,” said Ray, adding that they have been rushing to try to get the line in the ground to stay on schedule. Ray explained that Blackfoot wants to start getting homes hooked up by March 21. Blackfoot’s goal is to get the whole area “off of copper,” or turn off all the regular internet lines, by the end of 2022. “People are going to be pretty darn happy with the service,” said Ray, speaking highly of the internet speeds.

City council member Larry Lack voiced concerns about how his own property, and others, had been treated by Blackfoot’s contractor. Lack spoke of a live internet line that crews had taken out. When questioned about it, the contractors said they had not taken out the line. Mayor Sheets and other council members also had concerns voiced in interviews after the meeting. According to Ray and Blackfoot, the contractors will be contacting residents by phone to come out and do what they call “drop work.” This is the process of hooking homes to the main fiber lines. According to Sheets, there is concern that the contractors will not be diligent when contacting residents because they have not been that way with the city. Sheets is afraid it may become worse when they move onto private ground. Sheets and the city encourage community members to call Blackfoot with any complaints.

Ray assured that the contractors are doing their best. He explained that all complaints should be directed to Blackfoot directly, at (406) 541-5000. Once that number is contacted, the caller should ask to speak to Customer Operations. More information about the fiber project can be found at http://www.blackfoot.com/networkupgrades.

During the meeting, Sheets spoke about an agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation. Over the summer the state will be resurfacing Main Street. According to Sheets, the city will have access to the asphalt “grindings,” or removed asphalt from the old surface. Sheets explained that the city will be able to use them on any public city surface including the ball field parking lots, the pool parking lot, the numerous streets and alleyways, etc. “We’ve got no limits on what we could use that on,” said Sheets. The grindings can be laid down like gravel, and when rolled over creates a firm base that can have fresh asphalt put over it. Sheets explained that alone it could also act as a good temporary surfacing.