Township officials are looking at options beyond a millage that could provide broadband service to rural Manchester Township residents.

Amid all the controversies about the topic of broadband internet service to rural Manchester Township, the township board is waiting to learn the results of its commissioned feasibility study by Communications Consulting Goup (CCG). Meanwhile, a small subcommittee, along with other members of the board, continues to supplement the study by exploring a variety of options, to determine if it is possible to provide reliable, quality coverage to residents without asking for a millage.

Township trustee Ron Milkey was one board member who sat in on a recent conference call with Midwest Energy and Communications to learn about its co-op high speed internet service. According to Milkey, this company, which is actively planning to expand in to Southeastern Michigan soon, would be more like a subscription service. Currently building out its service in the southwest corner of the state, the plan would require an advance buy-in, which then would make these subscribers "members" of the cooperative effort. As described by Milkey, the company would cover a portion of the cost of installation if it receives an adequate number of subscribers to cover the remaining percentage.

One thing that appealed to Milkey and others about this plan, is that it would provide a "pay-to-play" option and the only people who would pay for the service would be those who choose to purchase it, rather than taxing all township residents for a service some don't want, and others already have available. CCG, which also did a study in Sharon Township, recommended a millage in that situation, which failed to pass in a May 8 special election. However, because Manchester Township also includes the Village of Manchester, which already has broadband access, this complicates the idea of assessing a millage, as many residents in the village may not wish to pay additionally for a service that is already available to them. And because a millage or bond issue would tax each parcel separately, farmers and other owners of vacant parcels would pay a substantially higher rate for service that would not be utilized.

Trustee Lisa Moutinho, who is on the subcommittee appointed by the township board, said that the information from MEC will be shared with the entire board at its next meeting. "While this seems to be an ideal solution, we owe it to our residents to fully explore it, and all possible options," she said. "So we will continue to network with other communities and service providers to see what other viable options may exist."Moutinho added that that "(The board) has been asked by many residents to explore the possibility of broadband equity, and I believe we are delivering. By this fall, we will be able to report our detailed findings to the community."

These findings include not only MEC and others that the committee has been studying, but also the results of CCG's feasibility study. The broadband subcommittee met recently and agreed that an open and informal public informational session prior to a township board meeting, including CCG, Rep. Donna Lasinski, and interested township residents will be held immediately prior to a township board meeting. This format, said Moutinho, will allow and encourage citizens to provide feedback and ideas for consideration.

"I'm hopeful that it will give CCG a good lens on our community and the challenges we face," she said. "The information will help them provide the best possible solutions to us."

She added that once the study is under way, the subcommittee--which currently includes, in addition to Moutinho, village resident Cindy Dresch and township resident Dan Muller--can then make a determination about scheduling one or more formal town hall meetings with a more structured agenda. Ryan Klobucar, the Manchester Township resident who rallied others to have the township undertake this effort, is also involved on the committee in an advisory capacity. The subcommittee is still seeking to fill positions representing real estate and education. Moutinho said that she expects to ask the board to re-open the posting of these positions, with the addition of a "broadband expert," until they are filled. None of the public meetings have yet been scheduled. Moutinho said that the township website, social media, and local news resources will all be used to provide notice to residents, and everyone who is interested, an opportunity to attend one or more of the meetings.

The Manchester Township Board meets regularly at 7 pm on the second Monday of each month at the township hall, 275 S. Macomb Street.