St. Lawrence County Technology Committee Meeting
Human Services Building, Canton, NY
August 18, 2011
Attendees: Bill Hunter, David Coffey, Heidi Ames (guest), Marc Rusch, Pat Turbitt, Laura Perry, Janet Campbell, Carrie Tuttle, Nathan Pratt (guest)
1. Meeting called to order at 3:03 p.m.
2. Introductions:
- Committee members introduced themselves to the two guests that were in attendance to discuss the NBRC grant application that DANC is planning to write to support a fiber build to the Corning Canton Plant (Heidi Ames from SLC Planning and Nathan Pratt from Corning, Inc.)
3. L. Perry reminded everyone that minutes from the last meeting have been posted. No committee members had comments.
4. C. Tuttle reviewed the proposed NBRC grant application to construct fiber to support the Corning Canton Plant; and circulated a letter of support signed by the Canton Plant Manager that explains why this project is critical to the success of the facility and retention of 250+ jobs.
a. The grant application is due 8/29 and D. Wolf and C. Tuttle will be completing the application. Letters of support are requested from the SLC Technology Committee and SLC Planning. H. Ames provided a resolution from the County supporting the application.
b. A letter of support may also be requested from Phil Wagshaw to illustrate how this project supports prior funds that have been committed for his project to run fiber from Heuvelton to Rens. Falls. The proposed new DANC fiber will run from Rt. 11 to the Canton Plant, and then continue on to Rens. Falls; which will provide redundancy in the reliability of the network.
5. Nathan Pratt, Corning, Inc. Canton Plant IT Leader, presented an overview of the products that Corning, Inc. manufactures and the specifics of the Canton Plant facility.
a. Verizon is the only current service provider to the Canton Plant. Current capacity is provided by 3 T1s with an ISDN backup. The 3rd T1 was turned on a week ago. ISDN line is not large enough to carry current load of the facility so a reliable back-up.
b. Future vision is to separate Internet traffic from traffic other core Corning applications and backup fiber will provide that opportunity.
6. L. Perry encouraged the Canton Plant to consider some kind of in kind contribution such as at cost fiber, or financial backing from the Plant.
7. H. Ames provided an overview of the Regional Economic Commission and let the Committee know that there is a public meeting at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at SUNY Potsdam.
8. P. Turbitt motioned to approve a resolution of support for the grant application and M. Rusch seconded the motion. C. Tuttle abstained from voting as her spouse is employed at the Corning Inc., Canton Plant. Resolution will be provided by L. Perry
9. No committees updates.
10. New Business
a. C. Tuttle provided an update on recent presentations she gave to the North Country Clerks Assoc. in Lewis County and at the North Country/Adirondack GIS User Conference in Wanakena. L. Perry will follow up with Local Govt. Conf. Planning committee about a presentation in Oct.
b. L. Perry reported that J. Campbell is moving on to another position and the Committee is in need of a secretary. Please forward nominations to her for discussion at the next meeting.
c. L. Perry mentioned that the County has a project to purchase and migrate to a new financial software package. The Committee has questions regarding why existing software is not meeting needs. Laura will follow up with the County t get additional information.
d. L. Perry relayed a need that has been expressed by local businesses to obtain additional technology training and discussion ensued about ways that Committee could facilitate some additional technology training.
11. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by C. Tuttle
