Sen. Witkos, Avon Delegation Applaud Approval of $700,000 for Town-Wide Fiber Optic Network Expansion

December 9, 2022

Sen. Witkos, Avon Delegation Applaud Approval of $700,000 for Town-Wide Fiber Optic Network Expansion

(HARTFORD)—State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw (D-Avon, Canton), State Representative Tammy Exum (D-West Hartford, Avon, Farmington), and State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-8th District) announced that a $700,000 grant has been secured to expand fiber optic internet service throughout Avon. The State Bond Commission approved the funding at its meeting Thursday.

The expansion consists of linking the Town and Board of Education facilities via fiber optic network to the Avon Police Department, Town office complex, Department of Public Works, the Animal Control facility, fire companies, all schools and central office, the Senior Center and pool, Avon Public Library, the Countryside Park building, transfer station, landfill radio site, and Ridgewood radio site. This new connectivity between municipal buildings provides a $40,000 in savings to taxpayers each year.

A fiber optic network can be impactfully beneficial to local communities because it transforms information in the form of light rather than electricity prompting unlimited speeds with low lag time. It also uses weather resistant cables and has an infrastructure that provides better secured connections withstanding outages. These connections can be essential for maintaining the town’s security cameras and electronic locks, phone system sharing, public wi-fi, and file sharing between buildings.

“I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for prioritizing the Avon town-wide fiber optic project on yesterday’s bond agenda,” said State Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw (D-Avon, Canton). “As we continue to look for ways to save taxpayer dollars while moving our cities and towns forward, this project accomplishes both and Avon will reap the benefits for years to come.”

“The benefits of this project are immense for the Town of Avon and Board of Education staff, in addition to students and residents,” said State Rep. Tammy Exum (D-Avon, Farmington, West Hartford). “Linking Town and Board of Education facilities through a fiber optic network will bring down and consolidate operating costs and reduce reliance on commercial providers. Thank you to Governor Ned Lamont and the State Bond Commission for recognizing the value of this project, and Rep. Kavros DeGraw for helping bring it to fruition with her advocacy.”

“Bringing reliable fiber optic internet services throughout Avon is a wise investment of state funds,” said Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-8th District). “This new and improved infrastructure will serve Avon residents and small businesses well, improving communications and connectivity for everyone. We thank the governor for recognizing Avon’s needs, and we are pleased to offer our bipartisan support for this project.”

The project is expected to begin when funds are released to the town.

  

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