At public forum: Fiber optic project brings center stage

Addressing a gathering of approximately 40 residents, John Savarese, Wilton's information technology director, said BVH Integrated Services, a Bloomfield-based consulting engineering firm, conducted a "technology infrastructure study" of the shared data link proposal. Their projection of the total cost is $1,673,185, but the town has asked for a proposed bond of $1,675,000.

This cost estimate takes into account the installation of the conduit and fiber and the preparation of the utility poles, along with design and other fees, Mr. Savarese said.

The proposed shared data-fiber technology communications system would link the library and all town and school facilities at costs of $500,000 in 2013, $875,000 in 2014, and $300,000 in 2015.

BVH has performed other such services for Yale University, the University of Notre Dame and Brookhaven National Laboratory, he said.

Mr. Savarese said the "total net savings" from the project after 20 years will be $328,966. The potential exists for more savings and accrued benefits as well, according to Mr. Savarese.

The pieces of the project have actually been in place for some time, he said, because Middlebrook, Comstock and Cider Mill were all linked in 1998, and the town hall complex of the fire, police, public works and municipal departments were connected in 2000.

With bond rates at historic lows and the trenching that will be done in town by Yankee Gas to expand the natural gas supply — which will allow the fiber technology conduit to use the same trenching — "a window of opportunity" exists, he said. "It's a lucky confluence of events."

Once again, Mr. Savarese emphasized that the project will provide town-owned, "reliable, underground conduit that provides emergency backup if any site loses its Internet connection because it will immediately "fall over to one of the other sites," among other benefits.

He also said most neighboring towns are already connected with a shared data link, including New Canaan, Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, Weston and Fairfield.

However, Joe King, of Mountain Road, said the case for the project was "not compelling" and described some of the savings listed by Mr. Savarese as "theoretical" and found only a $97,000 savings — from the elimination of technology costs at Comstock — as the only actual "hard savings."

He also said that "questions still abound ... There should be no rush to approve this incomplete plan."

Christopher DiMattio, a business executive, also said he saw "no financial return ... no urgency and no precise documented needs" for the project. He suggested that "alternative solutions" are available at lower cost.

However, Mr. Savarese said the plan is cost-effective. For example, he said that public Internet and cloud services would cost $1,907,900 during the same time frame, of 20 years.

Cloud is a metaphor for the Internet, and cloud computing encompasses subscription-based or pay-per-use service that is designed to extend existing capabilities.

Lynne Vanderslice, vice chair of the Board of Finance, who attended the meeting, asked Mr. Savarese what would happen if all three major town entities were "wiped out" by a hurricane, for example. "We do maintain some cloud back-up service," Mr. Savarese said.

After the meeting, Sandy Dennies, the town's chief financial officer, told The Bulletin the fiber optic project will cost the town approximately $130,000 in taxes per year. With an average assessment per household at $675,000, this will translate into a cost of about $18 a year for each taxpayer, she said.

At the information session Monday night, town officials also made presentations about the five other capital projects, including:

• A five-year roads restoration program at a cost of $1,684,200 per year, for five years. (The ballot question will ask for $3,329,800 — the cost for two years of the program.)

• Ambler Farm renovations: $250,000 ($125,000 for each of two years).

• Comstock Community Center roof repairs and generator: $836,000.

• Wilton Fire Department new engine-tanker: $695,000.

• School renovations: $1,645,000.

First Selectman Bill Brennan urged the public to support the projects, saying the projects are aimed at providing for "the future needs of Wilton for all our citizens, which we believe are as follows:

• Reliable public safety and emergency capabilities

• Improved communication systems

• Maintenance of valued town buildings and facilities

• Preservation of major assets, especially our 127 miles of town roads

• Improvement of the physical conditions of the schools.

Voters will have the final say at the annual town meeting at the Clune Center on Tuesday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. Voting will follow the meeting and an adjourned vote will be held on Saturday, May 5, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Clune Center.