News

Hello Neighbors!

One issue I’ve been engaged in is expansion of fiber communications, specifically, BrightSpeed.

It is anticipated that BrightSpeed will be installing fiber optic cable in Tara Hills. It could be within the next week or two. Or it could be several months. We don’t know an exact schedule but there are some things you need to be aware of and prepare for.

This installation will involve at least partial excavation and digging of yards along existing telephone easements. BrightSpeed has existing easement through the legacy United Intermountain/CenturyLink telephone lines that are already in the neighborhood. There is nothing the HOA can do to stop this.

I have spoken with the City Attorney and they feel it would be prudent for all homeowners to take photos and document current conditions of any landscaping/shrubberies near the road that could be impacted by installation of utilities (though that is not official advice of counsel). If any homeowner is significantly concerned about how their property might be impacted, the City Attorney advised them to contact an attorney to see what their rights as a homeowner are. 

There are some things that we, as a community, can do and are doing to make sure that BrightSpeed is making a good faith effort to be a good neighbor. 

• Advising homeowners to take photos, measurements or any other observable data points or evidence of existing landscaping, to help better document current conditions, should any of it be damaged and need to be replaced.
• Advising homeowners to ensure that BrightSpeed has existing utilities identified and marked via the 811 process prior to ANY excavation work beginning. This is required per state law. It is not the homeowner’s responsibility to call in the 811 request as this is BrightSpeed’s project and responsibility. A homeowner may stop excavation work from occurring if utilities have not been properly identified and marked. The City Attorney says it will be okay to inform her if they are not following this process.
• Ensuring that BrightSpeed does not damage storm drains, manhole access covers, pavement, curbs, streetlights or any other city-owned property and reporting any observed damage to the city, including City Attorney’s office (photos definitely help). 

I don’t know who BrightSpeed plans on using as their contractor and will make efforts to find out who that is and engage them once I find out. While they don’t technically have to restore property after their work (if it’s in their easement) it is common place to, at minimum, fill in holes, lay down grass seed/fertilizer/possible starter top soil, and spread straw to help optimize grass growth. 

I’ll continue sharing as I find out more. Thank you all!

Nick Rutledge