LYNDEBOROUGH – If all goes as planned, residents in North Lyndeborough will finally have access to broadband and other services offered by Comcast, thanks to ARPA (American Recovery Plan Act) funds granted to the town and a lot of work by a group of residents. Following a public hearing on Wednesday, May 18, the Board of Selectmen authorized Town Administrator Russ Boland to sign the franchise agreement using up to $100,000 dollars in ARPA funds.

About 25 people attended the half hour hearing in the town office.

Comcast representative Brian Christianson said he had been contacted by resident Lisa Post last year to see if they could provide service to about 60 homes north of the mountains, the Mountain Road and Second New Hampshire Turnpike areas. He met with the committee several times, he said. Since they do not currently provide any services in town, they require a franchise contract.

Service which will be extended into town from New Boston.

Town Administrator Russ Boland said the funds were part of a $181,000 grant, half of which has been received. Other funds have been applied for in order to use the ARPA money for other infrastructure projects. “None of the money will come directly from local taxation, your property tax bill.”

Lisa Post said her committee had first contacted Consolidated, “but it was unavailable until 2026. Comcast has been very helpful. They will provide highspeed internet, TV, and other services.”

Selectboard Chairman Fred Douglas said, “We want to make sure people know, we spoke with several companies over the past years but their costs were prohibitive. We recognized citizens were moving out of town because they couldn’t get services. This hasn’t gone unnoticed – it’s been on our front burner.”

Resident Bob Rogers commented on current phone service. “We’ve had a serious problem when the power goes off for more than five or six hours and our cell pho9ne coverage is so poor we are unable to call the fire department.”

It is hoped that this service will help solve that problem.

Pam Culverton of Nichols Road said she is “all for it since I work from home” but with her long driveway “will I have to pay extra?”

Christiansen said, “No, you’re on the list.”

Douglas said he was concerned that everyone was included.

Committee Member Mike Deculbelis said, “We talked to everyone.”

Boland said the proposed contract had been reviewed by legal counsel.

Asked when they would get service, Christianson said, “I believe we can get this done this year.”

Asked if everyone had to sign on now, he said no, and in most cases, there would not be an extra cost if a decision was made to join later.

People can keep their phone numbers, which are New Boston.

The vote to sign the contract was greeted with cheers and relief.