Town of Caroline cites round‑2 broadband grant; four towns discuss Southeast Recreation Trail extension

Mark Whitmer, supervisor of the Town of Caroline, updated the Tompkins County Legislature on two municipal matters: a broadband build‑out grant (round 2) that covers areas of his town, and an intermunicipal proposal to extend the Southeast Recreation Trail.

Whitmer said Frontier and other providers were involved in the broadband round and that local mapping for the grant had excluded some large areas; the town will watch final maps and outcomes. On the trail, he said four towns, in coordination with the county planning department, are considering an extension and would approach NYSEG (which owns the right‑of‑way) about a license agreement; subsequent work would involve outreach to adjacent property owners and a planned community event to provide information and receive feedback. Whitmer said the town and county are considering how to address landowner concerns and identify precise cost estimates before moving forward.