Town of St. Joseph has high-speed Internet through Verizon

Talk about it

The St. Joseph Town Board announced Thursday night that Verizon has added infrastructure to its cellular towers and has expanded to include high-speed Internet access, anywhere in St. Joseph served by Verizon cellular.

The cost is $60 per month, with a $35 onetime activation fee. Further details will be coming soon to the town Web site, www.townofstjoseph.com.

Joint Library Agreement

Members of the Joint Library Foundation and the Hudson City Council discussed St. Joseph’s continued participation in the Hudson Area Joint Library agreement.

In November, the citizens of St. Joseph voted down two measures, to buy a building for the library and to allow the town to fund the library.

“I’m glad we saw it through, but it came through at too great a cost to the community,” said town Chairperson Theresa Johnson.

“I was disappointed at the way information was produced and distributed to the towns,” said Supervisor Kevin Moelter.

Members of the Joint Library Foundation argued that the will of the people is to have this library agreement, and that the vote in November was not against the library itself, but against a tax increase for the building.

They also argued that it would still be cheaper tax-wise to stay with this agreement, rather than going with the county library system, and would allow that tax money to be spent close to home. In addition, the town would have veto power in any further tax increases regarding the library, something that the town would not have at the county level.

“We appreciate St. Joseph’s participation; we have never taken for granted your support,” said Hudson Mayor Dean Knudson. Although he conceded that, “The plan was not economically feasible from the beginning.”

The Town Board decided to stay as part of the agreement for the time being. However it was agreed that a better plan must be put forth.

“I’m OK with staying in this agreement, but I am not OK with another project like this one,” said Johnson.

Somerset soccer field

A request failed that would have authorized the Town Board to make a donation to Somerset schools. The money would have helped fund the construction of a new varsity soccer field, as well as two “green areas” equal in size to a varsity soccer field.

The school is raising money for the $57,250 project.

The town of St. Joseph does budget $100 a year specifically for school-related requests for Somerset. Traditionally, this money is donated to the school’s senior party. Supervisor Rick Colbeth motioned to donate that $100 as a “show of support” for the school.

“I understand the need for it, but I’m not sure it’s the right place for governmental commitments,” said Johnson. “I’m on the fence.”

When the motion came to a vote it did not pass.

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