Pawcatuck businesses without internet plead with town for help

Stonington — A group of downtown Pawcatuck business and property owners are pleading with town and utility officials to help bring broadband internet service to their buildings.

Currently three commercial buildings along the north side of West Broad Street, between Bess Eaton donuts and the Amtrak railroad trestle, have to conduct business without internet access. This means no credit card processing, no email and other functions that most businesses in 2016 take for granted.

Owners of two of the buildings say they do not want to proceed with their plans to create a dozen or so apartments on their second floors until internet is installed because, without it, they will have trouble attracting tenants. They say the lack of broadband internet service is making it difficult to continue the revitalization of the downtown area.

For more than a month, the business and property owners have been working with Selectman Mike Spellman, who is trying to get an internet provider such as Thames Valley Communications to string or bury a line from the south side of the street to serve the businesses.

On Wednesday night, the property and business owners appeared before the Board of Selectmen asking for immediate help.

“If this continues, why should people continue to put their money into downtown Pawcatuck?” said Josiah Dodge, the owner of Irish Rose Tattoo, 29 West Broad St. “Business won’t want to stay here if they can’t even check email.”

Sally Johnson, who owns Salon Be in the same building as Dodge, told selectmen she has invested a lot in her business but she will not renew her lease when it expires in May unless town officials figure out a way to supply internet service.

Jim Lathrop, who owns the building at 29 West Broad St., and wants to develop apartments there told the board, “I’m going to lose my largest tenant over this and I can’t blame her.”

To stress his point, he turned to a large group of Stonington High School students attending the meeting as part of a local government class and asked if they would move into an apartment without internet service. None raised a hand.

“We’re ready to go now (with this project). Give us internet so we can make the downtown better,” he said.

Jeff Pucci, who owns the building that houses Mel’s Downtown Creamery and other businesses, said he wants to renovate the upstairs into six to eight apartments but not having broadband internet would pass on the cost of accessing the internet to his tenants. He said having apartments would increase the value of his property — producing more tax revenue for the town — but without internet service, he may have to look at doing something different.

Lisa Konicki, executive director of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, said the businesses are operating at a serious disadvantage without broadband internet.

“People who invest in communities expect to have it,” she said. “It’s an issue of inequity. They’re not getting basic services that other businesses do.”

She urged the selectmen to fast track the project.

Spellman said possibilities include stringing a line from Mechanic Street along the Amtrak railroad trestle, or from Donahue Park or burying a line in a conduit from the south side of the street.

He said the line also would help in the development of the former Campbell Grain Co. property.

Rex Buettgenbach, the general manager for Thames Valley Communications, told selectmen his company has identified downtown Pawcatuck as an underserved area and “the wheels are already in motion” to address that finding. He added that stringing wires across the Amtrak trestle would take an “Act of Congress” and suggested the town also reach out to other internet providers for assistance.

Director of Planning Jason Vincent said one solution that had been done in other communities, and one which he has begun working on, is to create a mesh wifi network that serves the entire downtown by placing wifi equipment in LED streetlights. There is a question, though, about who owns the existing poles.

Spellman said that while that may be a good long-term solution, there has to be an immediate short-term remedy to help the businesses.

“I’ve been here a year and half without internet. Is it going to take another year and half?” Dodge asked. “Just put up the wire.”

After the meeting ended, Spellman and Selectwoman Kate Rotella discussed possible routes and pole locations for a line that Spellman had drawn on a piece of paper for her.

Rotella expressed frustration that what seems like such an easy fix to her is so difficult to get done.

“Let’s just do this,” she said.

“If this continues, why should people continue to put their money into downtown Pawcatuck? Business won’t want to stay here if they can’t even check email.” JOSIAH DODGE, PAWCATUCK BUSINESS OWNER