Holden Selectmen Order Review of Ripple Fiber's Staff Costs

Select Board · Meeting of August 17, 2026

Holden selectmen press Ripple Fiber over town staff costs tied to its broadband buildout. DPW Director Nick Schwartz told the board a civil engineer is spending 19 to 20 hours a week on the project, plus water and sewer staff time on Dig Safe calls. Selectman Ranzoni said the town has "four and a half full-time employees dedicated to this project," calling it "taxpayer money — that's actually ratepayer money." No vote was taken; the town manager will bring a follow-up plan to a future meeting.

Ripple Fiber's Steve Marr reported 704 active customers, 62 percent network completion, and pricing now at $40 a month for 650 megabits. The board separately approved, unanimously, a Sweets and Java ownership change to Julia McSherry and Bill Breidenbach's Red Tail Bakers and reappointed Nancy Keelanen to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,132 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.