Wilton Takes First Steps on Fiber Optic Network

WILTON, Conn. – The town has begun laying the groundwork for a fiber optic network that could help ensure access to important information in future emergencies.  

Conduits for a portion of the network are being put in place now as part of a project to recurb the road leading through Wilton Village, town officials say. Though it could be years before the network is completed, when it is, it will link Town Hall, the Wilton Library and the Board of Education building, according to David Palmieri, Wilton Library’s systems administrator. 

Laying conduits now, while the road is being worked on, Palmieri says, presents a cost-saving opportunity. Otherwise the town would have to pay again to have the road ripped up, he said. 

In addition to laying some of the conduits, the town is also starting the design work for the next phase. 

Palmieri says once the design is completed, an important first step will have been taken, even if laying the cables doesn't start for another five years. "We want the design leaving it very open-ended for future possibilities.”

The design cost of $48,500 is being split three ways, Palmieri says, with the library paying $5,000 and the town government and Board of Education paying $21,750 each.

The school board's share came out of the technology budget, said Chief Financial Officer Ken Post. “It’s a forward-looking project,” Post said, adding that the cables could provide “all kinds of possibilities” for the town.

Connectivity between the three buildings will allow for a redundancy system, or a way for the Town, Library and Board of Education to store backup information offsite in case of emergencies.

“If a tree falls down at town hall and knocks out their power and police can’t get to their server, well, a mile away here we are with power and we can help them out,  and visa-versa,” Palmieri said.

“I just think that the timing is so perfect with the road construction being done and the opportunity to put down conduit to have it underground and to have everything being done the way it’s being done,” Palmieri said.

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