Holden Selectmen Order Review of Ripple Fiber's Staff Costs
Holden selectmen press Ripple Fiber over town staff costs tied to its broadband buildout. DPW Director Nick Schwartz told the board a civil engineer is spending 19 to 20 hours a week on the project, plus water and sewer staff time on Dig Safe calls.
Select Board · Meeting of August 17, 2026
Holden selectmen press Ripple Fiber over town staff costs tied to its broadband buildout. DPW Director Nick Schwartz told the board a civil engineer is spending 19 to 20 hours a week on the project, plus water and sewer staff time on Dig Safe calls. Selectman Ranzoni said the town has "four and a half full-time employees dedicated to this project," calling it "taxpayer money — that's actually ratepayer money." No vote was taken; the town manager will bring a follow-up plan to a future meeting.
Ripple Fiber's Steve Marr reported 704 active customers, 62 percent network completion, and pricing now at $40 a month for 650 megabits. The board separately approved, unanimously, a Sweets and Java ownership change to Julia McSherry and Bill Breidenbach's Red Tail Bakers and reappointed Nancy Keelanen to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,132 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of August 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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