Boothbay selectmen believe the current broadband survey covering internet accessibility will have some predictable results. Consultant Tom Myette is close to finishing his 40-hour survey of internet in Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor. Myette was conducting a  business interview April 24 and was unable to attend the Boothbay selectmen’s meeting last week. 

But Selectman Kristina Ford reported on some of his findings interviewing local businesses. She explained Myette had completed four interviews and may have a preliminary report ready for a May 8 public hearing. Ford reported Myette’s early findings show local businesses have access to high speed internet.

But some people don’t think a survey is necessary to know internet isn’t as abundant in Boothbay’s residential areas.  Two Back River Road residents described their internet service as unreliable and too expensive. Barbara Dusseault and Kiersten Lynch pay $400 a month for phone and internet service. “I’m tired of all this,” Lynch said. “We pay for 5G, but its rarely gets to 3G.”

Dusseault described continuous problems with poor service. She described a Sunday night outage resulting in her contacting the company for assistance. “They tell you to unplug this and reset the system which doesn’t work. And when you ask for a technician, all they can say is one will be there on Thursday,” she said. “And a day or two later it’s all good so you know they can do something there.”

Last winter they tried to boost their service by seeking a half-mile line extension from a local internet provider. But the extension came at a huge price. The  company quoted a cost for six people to pay $9,000 each. 

Selectman Steve Lewis wasn’t surprised to hear residential customer complaints. “Never thought there was a deficiency for businesses. I always thought the problem was more on the residential side,” he said. “I think we will hear more stories like this at a public hearing, but I still think it’s important for us to do a door-to-door survey. That is the only way we will know what people have and don’t have.”

Selectmen may hold a public hearing in two weeks and hear Myette present a preliminary report. Once Myette submits his full report, selectmen would then decide what direction the broadband initiative takes. Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. May 9 in the municipal building’s conference room.