Verizon FIOS representatives want two more years added to their contract with the town, saying they need the added time to finish installing the high-speed fiber optic service to outlying subdivisions, where they have to dig trenches in the roads to lay the cable.
But selectmen Wednesday were in no mood to hop on the bandwagon, saying the September 2012 deadline negotiated more than four years ago may be as long as they will wait.
The sticking point seems to be the amount of information Mansfield insists on before they will grant a permit to Verizon, or any contractor, to work on a town subdivision road. The company is used to supplying "schematics" - drawings so basic that town attorney Lou Ross told the board his three-year-old daughter could do them.
Ross, who represents the town in the talks with Verizon, and Public Works director Lee Azinheira, reported the results of the most recent round with Verizon on Friday to the board at this week's regular meeting.
"They are asking for a two-year delay because of requirements by the town for the road opening permit," Azinheira said. "We ask over and above what most communities require - we wanted scale drawings."
Ross - no relation to Town Manager Bill Ross, who is on vacation - was there to ask for the board's vote to begin a 14-day public notice period, and a 21-day public comment period on the Verizon proposal to extend the time in the contract with the town. Board members were not content to include only the time change in the proposal, however, saying there are other aspects of the contract on the town side that need changing.
Olivier Kozlowski wanted to include wording that would correct the lack of Boston channels on FIOS, as well as the time extension, saying Mansfield residents can watch Lakeville selectmen's meetings, but cannot get the greater Boston area channels they want.
Doug Annino was not sympathetic with the cable company, saying Verizon is a huge corporation, and should have checked more carefully on town requirements when the contract for FIOS was first negotiated.
"We have to protect our citizens and our roads," Annino said, adding the company should not be allowed to push the town around just because Verizon is "a big television guy."
"I'm not particularly keen on extending the deadline for putting these things in," said George Dentino. "If we vote not to extend it, then what? The discussion should be what happens if and when."
"They will breach their contract in another year," he said. "Our leverage is only in not giving the extension."
Azinheira noted posting the notice of the comment period in no way indicates the selectmen support the contract change, but the board did not vote to begin the process, saying they would wait for the Town Manager to return so they can speak with him about their concerns.
"I want the ultimate notice to include everything," said Kozlowski.