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BAZETTA -- Planned fiber-optic construction in the township has yet to receive required township permits, prompting officials to check whether contractors have already begun work.
Brightspeed is expanding its fiber network into the township, with Congruex performing underground and aerial construction on the company's behalf. Township officials received a letter giving notice of the planned work, including maps showing construction in several areas of Bazetta.
While some cities -- Girard and Cortland among them -- have issued moratoriums on underground fiber optic work, Trustee Chairman Michael Hovis said that's not an option for Bazetta.
"Unlike cities, townships are limited with what we can do," Hovis said.
Congruex sent an email dated Aug. 20 to township officials notifying them of the project's scope and providing contacts for its underground and aerial construction operations.
Girard issued a ban on underground boring after such work broke into a natural gas line and caused a house on State Street to explode in late April. Similar work in Cortland also was paused after a project caused a gas leak.
Townships can require companies doing such work in township rights of way to apply for permits. Hovis said Tuesday that the required permit had not been pulled. He instructed Road Superintendent Mike Arnold to inspect the areas where work was planned; on Wednesday, the trustee confirmed that no work was being performed on township right of ways without a permit.
According to information provided to the township, residents in affected areas are expected to receive door hangers approximately a week before construction begins. Project maps included in township records show planned fiber construction in several residential areas, including Beaver Trail, Timberline Development, Keystone Trail and the Lakeview Mobile Home Park area.
As of Tuesday evening, markers were already up in some of the areas showing locations of underground utilities.
In other business, trustees:
• Accepted a $5,000 cemetery grant to be used for straightening and repairing grave markers and installing foundations. Trustees also accepted a $13,000 bid from Niles Foundation Co. for the cemetery work. The grant will cover $5,000 of the cost, with the remaining $8,000 to be paid from the township's general fund.
• Approved sponsorship levels for the Christmas in Bazetta Park event ranging from $50 for an "Elf" sponsorship to $1,000 for a "Sleigh Ride" sponsorship.
• Announced the Zoning Commission meeting that was to take place Wednesday has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 23.