Representatives from Frontier and Comcast briefed the Westville Town Council on separate plans to bring fiber service to parts of town, each describing coverage footprints, timelines, construction methods and points of contact for residents and the town.

The presentations matter because both companies aim to expand broadband choices in Westville and will perform construction work in public rights-of-way that requires town coordination on permits, contractor licensing and restoration standards.

Michael Keith, representing Frontier, said the company plans to pass about 1,000 customer locations and that roughly 65% of the build will be aerial and 35% will be bored underground. “Speeds aren't keeping up, so we're upgrading all of our areas to fiber to the home,” Keith said. Frontier said it will use hubs and knee-high pedestals in the right of way, generally place buried fiber about 36 inches deep unless the town requests otherwise, and expects permitting to take about 60 days with first turn-ups possible in July or August.

Frontier identified Todd Pankey as its construction manager and named ServSafe USA as a vendor working on the local build. Frontier staff emphasized contractor locating practices and said the company will provide a contact list for the town.

Phil Goodrich of Comcast said Comcast plans an initial build focused on business districts and alleys near Main Street, with the primary hub behind the library near Belfrazo Street. “We’re really excited to be proposing this project in Westville,” Goodrich said. Comcast’s construction specialist, John Holmes, said the company anticipates starting “probably early June, if all goes according to the planning process” and that the county and state permits for Comcast’s plan were already in hand.

Comcast said its construction partner for underground work is a local firm identified in the meeting as Hoosier Cable (also referenced as a business partner on the project). Comcast described a process of directional boring followed by fiber pulls, splicing crews and weekly permit and restoration standards; Comcast and Frontier each said they would provide door hangers, yard signs and a contact list so the town can forward resident complaints.

Council members raised concerns about open access boxes, contractor behavior and easement conflicts. Town staff and company representatives agreed that contractors must register with the town, carry the town-required certificate of insurance and, when necessary, adjust hub placement to avoid obstructing windows or driveways.

Discussion only: both companies presented plans and timelines; no formal action or franchise agreement was approved at the meeting. Town staff was designated as the contact point to coordinate permitting, contractor registration and resident communications.

The companies promised to share detailed construction standards and contact lists with the clerk’s office and public-works staff so the town can monitor restoration, locating practices and complaint response times.