The newly formed Dresden Digital Equity Group met Nov. 11 to explore uses of a recent sizeable bequest from a resident to promote access to digital devices and training in conjunction with a grant application submitted on behalf of the town to fund fiberoptic broadband construction and coverage.

Karen D. Vitelli, who died Sept. 12, left money for townspeople who could not afford computers, tablets, modems, routers and subscriptions for internet services, along with education and trainings for all residents to effectively use such devices. Judy Tunkle, who chairs the Dresden Broadband & Technology Committee, reported the new fund totaled $356,092.69 as of Veterans Day.

“Dresden is the first in Maine to get significant equity funding,” Susan Corbett, executive director of the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC), told the group via Zoom. She said the next step is to develop a viable plan to use the money and grow its income for the future.

An internationally renown archaeologist, KD Vitelli retired to Dresden in 2005 after a career of fieldwork and teaching at the college level to become chair of the Program in Classical Archaeology at Indiana University. She was best known locally for authoring a popular column titled “Seen in Dresden,” based on nature observations of a community of observers she had nurtured and developed over the years in Dresden. Her column appeared in the monthly Dresden Communicator newsletter.

The broadband committee and the Dresden Selectboard authorized Fidium Fiber to apply to Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) for a $1.3 million Affordable Connectivity Program grant to string fiberoptic cable to every house and business in town to deliver fast, reliable and affordable internet service. Nearly a third of households now lack access to cable or viable internet service.

MCA is due to decide the fate and scope of grant proposals in mid-December, and Fidium’s construction would occur in 2024. Those who now have Spectrum could decide whether to keep it or switch to Fidium. The fiberoptic alternative provides internet only, and residents would need to make separate video streaming arrangements.

 ​NDEC is temporarily holding the money due to its tax-exempt status, while a 501-C3 charitable organization charter is developed under Internal Revenue Service protocols. The legal work is being done without charge by attorney Justin Andrus, also a member of the town broadband committee.

Joining the group for its first session was Marita Fairfield, NDEC chief operating officer, who outlined the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program that provides funds for families on low incomes to connect to the internet. She said NDEC offers 45 mostly free classes to Maine residents ranging from internet security and fraud risks to aging well with technology. NDEC also helps towns purchase digital devices and trains digital facilitators to teach skills to residents.

The new group will reach out to local organizations to notify and assist residents about the financial internet assistance. The next meeting of the Dresden Digital Equity Group will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29 at Bridge Academy Library.

Attending the first session were Judy Tunkle, Ann Pierce, Scott Murry, Justin Andrus, Marcia Leask, Dr. Debra Gonzalez, Mary Walsh, Steve Collemer, Dave Hunt, Susan Lamb, and Don Gleason as selectboard representative in an advisory capacity.