Spencer Council approves fiber broadband pact, expands street crew

High-speed internet expansion and local infrastructure updates took center stage June 1 as the Spencer Town Council tackled a swift but productive agenda during its regular bi-weekly meeting.

The session, led by council president Jon Stantz, vice president Evan McKalip and council member Ginger Kohr, featured unanimous votes on major technological advancements and vital department personnel shifts. Clerk-Treasurer Cheryl Moke was also present to oversee municipal business.

The headline item for the evening was the approval of a Broadband Economic Development Agreement between the Town of Spencer and Mainstream Fiber Networks, LLC. Aimed at strengthening regional connectivity, the pact moved forward seamlessly when Stantz offered a motion to sign the agreement. McKalip seconded the motion, which secured unanimous approval from the board in a definitive 3-0 vote.

The council also finalized routine paperwork for the Sudol property, located at 40 W. Clay St. A motion by Stantz to sign the presented planning and zoning mylar map was seconded by McKalip and passed with an identical 3-0 vote.

Prior to these measures, the council quickly handled routine business, unanimously passing motions to approve both the minutes from the previous meeting and the latest docket of municipal claims.

In operational reports, street department superintendent Tony Floyd approached the council with a personnel request to handle the town's seasonal workload. Floyd requested that a former temporary laborer be brought back onto the payroll in a permanent part-time capacity, logging 24 hours per week. Recognizing the department's ongoing maintenance needs, the council gave the transition its full approval.

Spencer Police Chief Terry Sips provided an update on law enforcement personnel and operations, noting a key return to the lineup. Assistant Chief Rannix Tinsley was officially cleared to return to active duty. Additionally, Chief Sips informed the council that he has obtained competitive repair quotes for two department fleet vehicles.

Several updates were benched due to absences. Sewer department superintendent Ryan Klaassen and town attorney Richard Lorenz were both away from the meeting. As a result, no reports were submitted on behalf of the sewer department, town attorney, redevelopment commission, parks board or the fire territory.