After much conversation with the community in addition to three years of our own frustration, Suzanne and I are very aware that Fairpoint has not been a good business partner in the town of Marlboro and that there is a large number of residents who have a strong negative opinion about Fairpoint's business practice here in town. We are grateful that VTel has moved into the area to provide more options and greater competition, but we recognize that they don't reach everyone. Both services are important to the town.
When Fairpoint Communications contacted us in the early fall about updating Internet equipment on the site they have over by the fire station (the concrete pad on which their equipment sits is part of an easement for our property), Suzanne and I felt that their request presented an opportunity to help the town in some important ways, so we negotiated an agreement as a condition to extending their easement that includes the following:
--A $2,500 gift to the Marlboro School Association, to be invested in improving technology at the school.
--The arrangement of a community forum where a high-level representative of Fairpoint (someone who actually has decision making power) will be present to hear the community's concerns and frustrations.
--The establishment of a liaison between Fairpoint and Marlboro, whose role will be to hear and work directly to resolve issues of product or service that have not been dealt with properly by normal channels.
One reason we believe Fairpoint has not been invested in their service in our community is that we are a small, thinly populated town. It may be assumed that we do not speak with one voice. We would love for Fairpoint to be corrected on that assumption. Please consider adding your voice to the many others in town who have argued, pleaded and threatened Fairpoint over their business practice here in Marlboro by attending the forum. The details are below. If you have any questions or if you'd like to RSVP, please contact me at wayfarerbrian@gmail.com. It would be great to have a sense of numbers, so we know whether we need to set up the Outback or the Junior High.
COMMUNITY FORUM ON FAIRPOINT
DATE: Tuesday, February 9
TIME: 6pm
LOCATION: Marlboro Elementary School
Feb 1, 2025, 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Sandglass Theater's Winter Sunshine SeriesFeb 1, 2025, 11 AM
Bible StudyFeb 4, 2025, 6 to 8 PM