A Clearwater Twp. resident is looking into ways to bring faster broadband Internet into the township.

 

At Monday’s monthly meeting, Andrew Chi spoke to members of the board about the possibility of working with Midco to locate a tower for wireless internet.

 

Chi, who lives on Ireland Ave., says he works for an electronics company out of his home and has been struggling with slow and unreliable internet.

 

He said Midco is already running fiberoptics along Hwy. 24 and will be able to supply Annandale with Internet in the future.

 

He said he spoke with Midco about expanding into the township, but was told it was unlikely.

 

“Communities off Hwy. 24 are not part of their business plan,” he said. “They don’t target those low density areas.”

 

Chi asked whether locating a tower on the township hall site or other site would be an option for a “central point of presence,” where internet can be transmitted wirelessly to homes in the area. He said the range would be about five miles, with an option for other connecting towers to expand further. He said a 150’ tower would probably be sufficient, but a 200’ tower might be better in order to clear the trees in the area.

 

Supervisor Bill Langenbacher said he was concerned about the proximity to Hwy. 24.

 

“We’re so close to Hwy. 24, if the tower is that tall, there isn’t room for it to tip over,” he said. “We dealt with an issue like this in Silver Creek. They made sure the tower was further away from the road.”

 

“I think proximity to the highway is not a concern,” said Chi, “as long as the engineering is done.”

 

Supervisor Scott Miller asked if Chi was looking for property, investors or money.

 

Chi said he was just looking to see what the interest was in the community and whether a tower was an option.

 

“We as a township would support your efforts,” said Langenbacher. “I don’t think it’s the board’s position to start instigating something like that. It has to be between the customers and the service provider.”

 

Township Clerk Jean Just said another option would be to contact a company called Extra Time.

 

She said the company made a presentation to Corinna Twp. People in that township thought it was a good idea.

 

“They set up two towers and did a lease agreement with Camp Friendship. They ended up with a lot of people hooking up with them,” she said. “The feedback has been very good.”

Just said maybe Extra Time can add a tower in Clearwater Twp., piggybacking off one of their other towers.

 

“That’s another avenue for you,” she said.

 

Chi said he would contact Extra Time and get more information.