Selectmen review CCI broadband contract and budget priorities ahead of town meeting

Stonington’s Selectmen continued work on broadband, capital and operating budgets while reviewing a draft public‑private contract from Consolidated Communications (CCI) intended to extend fiber and internet access to underserved parts of town.

Town Manager Kathleen Billings-Pezaris said she had compared the CCI contract to a model agreement used by a nearby town and that one board member, Travis Fifield, asked for time during the meeting to review the contract. Billings said she would forward clarifying questions to CCI, including language about extra charges that could arise from unexpected work, and expected a contract timeline in the coming weeks.

The board used the meeting to advance overall budget work, discussing reserve balances, third‑party funding requests and possible use of surplus. At an earlier meeting the board set the 2020 mil rate at 1.157 and voted to use $150,000 from surplus funds to offset taxes; during the broadband discussions Selectmen emphasized careful vetting of contract terms before committing any local funds.

Why this matters: Broadband expansion is a locally significant infrastructure project that affects residents’ access to remote work, education and telehealth. Public‑private partnership terms affect the town’s exposure to construction‑related cost overruns and ongoing service expectations.

What’s next: TM Billings will seek contract clarifications from CCI, circulate responses to Selectmen and report back with a proposed timeline. The board also continued budget preparation ahead of town meeting deadlines.