Please see below this week’s project update from Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Councillor Angelo Bentivegna for the Rural Ward 6 Internet Broadband project, as we continue working with stakeholders and residents to provide information about the completion of this essential rural broadband project.
We look forward to the next meeting with residents that is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. – more details will be shared closer to the date. Please save the below dates for future meetings:
- Wednesday, May 18 at 5:30-6:30 p.m.;
- June: Wed. June 15 at 5:30-6:30 p.m.;
- July: Wed. July 13 at 5:30-6:30 p.m.;
- Details for how to join will be shared closer to each date.
Update as of March 22, 2022:
Approvals
The Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) will issue the development permit as soon as they, Conservation Halton and Halton Region have had the opportunity to review the latest submission of the drawing package and the Best Management Practices Report from the applicant (IASL/Standard Broadcasting) addressing recent comments that had been provided to the applicant. The drawing package was submitted earlier this week and the agencies are currently reviewing it. The Best Management Practices Report still needs to be revised by the applicant and submitted for review but representatives from the applicant indicated they are planning to have that done today. A meeting was held this week with the applicant and related agencies (Conservation Halton and NEC) and the collaboration and information-sharing has been going very well.
The NEC appeal period expired on March 22nd at midnight and we are happy to report that there were no appeals filed by the deadline.
The other agencies involved continue to be in a position to issue their permits shortly after the NEC permit has been issued. As we reported last week, the Region of Halton must issue a road occupancy permit, which can be done within a day of the two-week appeal period concluding. They confirmed at this week’s meeting they have consulted with capital works staff and are coordinating any road work. There are no expected delays at this time
Municipal Consent Permit Fees
At the March 22 Regular meeting of Council, the motion brought forward by Mayor Meed Ward and Councillor Bentivegna to waive municipal consent permit fees for current rural broadband projects in Burlington was approved unanimously.
The motion considered to waive the one-time fees for the City of Burlington Municipal Consent Permits related to any rural broadband project in the city of Burlington including the current Internet Access Solutions and Bell Canada applications in the amounts of $24,471.44 and $9,360.54 respectively.
The full motion can be read here: https://mariannemeedward.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Motion-Memo-Waive-Consent-Fees-Rural-Broadband-March-2022.pdf
Arborist
City of Burlington reported that the arborist that will be involved when required would be able to flex between multiple work sites when possible on any given day to help maximize efficiency. The applicant will report back next week on whether an arborist has been lined up yet.
Construction process
IASL/Standard Broadcasting continues to be confident that construction is expected to begin in May.
Pipelines, Hydro, Creeks, Regional Road construction
IASL/Standard Broadcasting has been provided with information from Burlington Hydro as to what information is required to facilitate a Joint Use Agreement and also provided some pole data for some of the creek crossings. IASL/Standard Broadcasting reports they’ve completed the first crossing analysis and are working on the other 4. They continue to work together on this item.
ASL/Standard Broadcasting has heard back from 2/3 of the related pipeline companies involved and is preparing the information they require and will follow up again this week with the one they have not yet heard back from.
Next Steps:
The group will meet again next week to check-in on the status of the NEC permit and other pending permits, as well as continue to provide updates on any outstanding items or required information/assistance to keeping this project moving as expected.
Timeline:
Below is information that has been shared with the community in previous updates, but is restated here for convenience.
March-April 2022
Per the applicant’s webpage, once permits are issued IASL/Standard Broadband will:
- finalize and post their construction schedule on their webpage
- order locates for underground utilities
May-June-July 2022
Per the applicant’s webpage, once locates are issued, IASL/Standard Broadband will:
- bring in equipment
- begin construction, which is expected to take three months
Webpage:
The city has set up a dedicated Rural Internet Installation webpage for the two rural broadband projects currently underway here: https://www.burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/rural-internet-installation.asp
Please check back regularly for updates. If you have subscribed to the page, you’ll receive an alert each time new information is posted.
Comments/Questions:
Please feel free to share this correspondence with other rural residents who may be interested.
If you have any additional questions, please let us know at mayor@burlington.ca and ward6@burlington.ca and we will endeavour to get answers and include them in a future update.
Please be assured that we are all working toward the same shared goal of securing rural broadband for our residents as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Marianne & Angelo
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward & Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna
RELATED LINKS:
- Burlington Ward 6 Rural Broadband Internet Project Update: March 18, 2022
- Burlington Ward 6 Rural Broadband Internet Project Update: March 10, 2022
- Burlington Ward 6 Rural Broadband Internet Project Update: March 4, 2022
- Burlington Ward 6 Rural Broadband Internet Project Update: Feb 25, 2022
- Burlington Ward 6 Rural Broadband Internet Project Update: Feb 18, 2022
- Burlington Ward 6 Rural Broadband Internet Project Update – Feb. 11, 2022
