Gary LouallenDAYTON, Tenn. -- A Dayton Internet service provider is ready to develop a fiber-optic network in the city as soon as an agreement can be reached to attach his cable to city utility poles.
David Snyder, president of Volstate Internet and its telephone subsidiary Revtel, told Dayton City Council members Monday that he has won state registration for Revtel to provide phone service after two years of effort.
"I want to build a fiber-optic network where we have customers, and we have customers," he said. "We need a pole-attachment agreement."
He said the initial network would stretch along Railroad Street to Robinson Manufacturing on Market Street and to Bryan College.
"As customers demand service, we would build to them," he said.
City Attorney Susan Arnold said she has reviewed a proposed agreement, but recommended that the city's electric department superintendent and a lawyer more familiar with such documents review a proposed contract before one is signed.
Snyder said he would provide the attorney with other model contracts for her consideration as well. In other matters, council approved a $2.19 million contract with Pall Corp., of Port Washington, N.Y., to provide a membrane treatment system for the water plant expansion project.
City Manager Frank Welch said the company is one of two in the United States to provide such a product. The bid was some $800,000 under original estimates, he said.
Councilmen, with Mayor Bob Vincent opposing, voted to spend up to $35,000 to bring a fishing tournament, part of the Walmart FLW Tour, to the city in October 2013.
Councilman Gary Louallen said he expects the Rhea County Commission to share in the cost, as it did with a tournament a year ago. Louallen said 155 fishermen and 78 staff members would come for the tournament, which is estimated to have a financial impact on the community of more than $1.5 million.
"We've started an investment to develop the lake economy. I think this is a win-win situation," Councilman Steve Randolph said.
But Vincent questioned the project, saying the city's contribution would have to come out of its general fund, and there are many nonfishermen in the city who he believes would object.
Louallen responded that he expects the county to participate and said "we will receive much more" income than the city would spend.
Councilmen also called a public hearing for first reading of the 2012-13 property tax rate and budget. Welch said the tax rate would remain at the present 47 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Tom Davis is based in Dayton. Contact him at tsdavis@volstate.net.