Around the Point - December issue

Whidbey Telecom chief operating officer Donna Hilty attended the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee meeting on November 26 to discuss the stalled progress on the company’s broadband project after archeological artifacts were discovered while installing underground fiber on Marine Drive back in May.

“It is our hope and our plan this will be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction so we can start getting back to work in the first quarter of 2024, and finish 18 weeks after we begin,” said Hilty.

According to Hilty, the delays were due to the fact that several federal agencies are involved in discussing necessary mitigation measures with the Lummi Nation, a process that typically doesn’t take as long when federal funds are not involved.

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The Circle of Care board is in talks with the Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) to begin a yearlong pilot project that will bring public transportation to the Point.

“At present, WTA are planning on donating a van to the Circle of Care. Circle of Care will then receive a donation in the form of a grant, I assume, from WTA that will fund driver’s hourly wages, cost of gas, cost of repairs, and cost of insurance,” Circle of Care executive director told trustees at their last meeting.

The Circle of Care would initially manage the bus for a year and then a more formal organization would need to be put in place. The organization has been asked to create an annual budget to move forward.

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Point Roberts Park and Recreation District board chair Mitch Friedman has submitted paperwork needed to allow public use of the multi-purpose room at the Point Roberts Primary School.

The school district will charge $3/hour for the use of the room. While unheated, the room is suitable for basketball or pickleball during inclement weather. Groups or individuals interested in using the room should contact the parks district.

The district held a special meeting on November 21 to approve a proposal by newly elected commissioner Stephen Falk (who takes his position in January) to apply for a Washington State Department of Commerce grant for electrical vehicle charging stations at the community center.

The grant would cover 75 percent of the costs with the remainder of the costs borne by the district. A motion was passed to apply for the grant for one DCFC and two Level 2 chargers. If the grant is awarded, it will cost the park department approximately $25,000.