Dryden Fiber project continues to roll on

The town of Dryden continues to make efficient progress on the Dryden Fiber project, according to Town Supervisor Jason Leifer.

Since breaking ground on Dryden Fiber (tinyurl.com/2gw8lmsf), the project is in the midst of a pilot program that will provide broadband services for commercial business workers on Hallwoods Road and nearby, along with residents on Pinckney Road.

Leifer noted that New Jersey-based Knickerbocker Bed Frame company, which recently started operations in the facility between Hallwoods and Hall roads, was the first business to receive broadband internet from Dryden Fiber.

“We saw service working at Knickerbocker just last week,” he added.

According to Leifer, other businesses within the pilot program area have either connected to the service or are in the process of connecting to it.

After all of the businesses in the pilot program have received broadband service, Leifer said the plan is to start hooking up service for residents on Pinckney Road.

“We’re working on getting residential people hooked up soon,” he said.

Equipment for the service is set up, Leifer said, noting the goal is to market the service, sign residents up and schedule installation of Dryden Fiber’s broadband internet.

Leifer mentioned that anyone who is interested in the service is encouraged to submit information on the drydenfiber.com website.

“People should go there and let us know they’re interested,” he said, noting interested individuals and parties can start signing up for service.

Dryden Fiber’s service offerings include these levels:

– Silver: $45 per month for up to 400 Mbps download and 400 Mbps upload

– Gold: $75 per month for up to 700 Mbps download and 700 Mbps upload

– Platinum: $90 per month for up to 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload

According to the website, Dryden Fiber will have a model in place to reduce the rate for all subscribers in the future.

“This depends on your participation; the more subscribers Dryden Fiber has, the more value can be passed along to the customers,” the Dryden Fiber website states.

For households that cannot afford the service, Dryden Fiber officials encourage qualified individuals to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program.

“This program offers a discount of up to $30 per month towards the internet for eligible households that cannot afford the costs,” the website states.

Leifer noted that residents who live within the town of Dryden are encouraged to go to the website, look up information about the service and sign up if interested. Once the service is finished, service will be available to the rest of the town residents, the village of Freeville and a stretch to the hamlet of Varna.

“That way, we know to reach out to them once we get to that spot,” he added. “If we have a way to contact them, we can notify them about when the service reaches their area.”

Leifer is unsure of when future service will be available to residents in the village of Dryden but added that those residents are still urged to sign up if interested.

For more information, go to drydenfiber.com.

Dryden Dispatch appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com.

In brief:

Southworth Library announces holiday closings

Southworth Library, located at 24 W. Main St. in the village of Dryden, recently announced closings for the holiday season.

The library will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Dec. 26. The library will be open on New Year’s Eve during the regular hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, go to southworthlibrary.org.

Registration still open for ‘Shooting Stars’

Registration is still open for “Shooting Stars,” a co-ed and in-house basketball program in Dryden, which will take place every Saturday between Jan. 7 and Feb. 11.

The program aims to teach kids about basketball basics through games and skill-building activities. Those involved in the program will learn how to dribble, shoot, pass and play basketball with their peers.

The program is for children in kindergarten through second grade. Each Saturday of the program will be from 9 to 10 a.m. at Dryden High School.

Register at drydenrec.com or call (607) 844-8888 option 4.

Books & Brew to meet on Jan. 19

Books & Brew, a genre book club out of the Southworth Library, will meet at the Hopshire Farm & Brewery on 1771 Dryden Rd. in the village of Freeville at 6 p.m. Jan. 19.

The genre for the month of January includes reading stories about winter, ice and/or snow. Examples of books that include winter elements include poetry, nonfiction or a Norwegian thriller.

Club participants are encouraged to bring their book to the meeting and share what they’ve read.

Members of the club are more than welcome to bring a snack. The meeting will have beverages, including non-alcoholic options, at Hopshire.