Easement issues continue to delay Calvert's broadband project

The push to provide home internet service to every Calvert resident who wants it continues. However, the government staff person managing the county’s end of the Comcast buildout project reported June 4 that citizens who are denying easements needed for the connectivity process has the project six months behind schedule.

According to a memo to the county commissioners from Ashley N. Staples-Reid, the project program manager, the estimated buildout costs currently total $6.23 million.

During her presentation, Staples-Reid said, “One denied easement has the potential to halt and even prevent a project. One project could take three weeks. One project could take four months.”

She noted that the overall connection project is currently in its third phase. Originally, 409 homes were identified for connection. The number has since dropped to 390. A total of 123 Phase 3 projects remain, with 24 currently in construction.

Another issue creating “hurdles” is the fact that “Comcast cannot utilize” Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative’s or Baltimore Gas and Electric’s easements, Staples-Reid said. “That’s because SMECO and BGE are utilities and Comcast is a communications service.”

“So if an easement is not granted to another person then you’ll be dead in the water,” Commissioner Catherine M. Grasso (R) said.

“Pretty much,” Staples-Reid replied.

While the county had hoped to avoid removing projects that cannot obtain an easement, that is likely what will have to be done going forward.

The commissioners did not vote on a project removal policy but indicated Staples-Reid could keep the plan going if diligent attempts such as mailing property owners a series of easement requests by certified mail fail to yield results.

“Just keep doing what you’re doing,” Commissioner President Earl F. “Buddy” Hance (R) told Staples Reid.

While the procurement of easements from landowners to run cables to homes to poles has been problematic, obtaining funds for the buildout have been successful.

The project funds have come from the state in the form of an infrastructure grant, American Rescue Plan Act money. The county has not had to use any general funds for the expansion project.

On June 4, county government announced it had been awarded a $1.1 million grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s “home stretch for difficult to serve properties program.” Calvert County is one of 18 jurisdictions to receive housing and community development’s home stretch grant funding.

Local government officials also announced the opening of a 30-day enrollment period through July 5 as part of the new grant award.

For more information on the initiative, go to dhcd.maryland.gov/Broadband.