That’s not easy — at least, not when he’s looking at internet providers.
He went to the Optimum store next to Fresh Market to get information about his current plan.
Right now he has 2 cable boxes and 2 phone lines, plus DVR and a core package. With taxes, it’s over $300 a month.
The MSG channels, for Knicks and Rangers games, were just blocked, due to an inability of Optimum and MSG to agree on carriage fees, Dave adds.
“I’m not even sure what the core package gives me now,” he says. “It’s so messed up.”
The Optimum folks could not print anything out, or even provide many details about different plans. “It varies,” they said vaguely.
Instead, they gave Dave a phone number to call, to learn more and negotiate.
He went to Optimum’s Norwalk location, and got nowhere there either.
“These locations are set up to sell phones and exchange cable hardware,” he says. “They’re very non-friendly consumer environments. It’s so strange to run a business this way.”
Frontier was no better.
He ended up on the phone with a call center “in some netherworld. They can’t fully describe or explain their offerings either. And they can’t email me information, ‘due to company policy.'”
All Dave wants is to educate himself about options (and get documentation of what he’s offered, so there is no bait-and-switch).
Since Dave can’t get much (or any) info from the companies himself, he hopes “06880” readers can help.
What do you know abou the cost of Optimum and Frontier? The quality of service? What are their strengths, weaknesses and differences?
Click “Comments” below. As always, please use your full, real name.
What’s up with the line of cars parked on the Birchwood Country Club side of Riverside Avenue (near Rive Bistro and the medical offices) every day? I can’t believe they’re parking for the train, or any of the nearby office parks. (Bob Mitchell)
I’ve wondered about that for years. As best I know, the cars belong to Westport Auto Craft, the highly regarded body shop. Apparently they get moved there from in front of and behind the building during the day, to make room for those being worked on.
However, few of them ever look wrecked. And I’ve never seen anyone actually moving one of the vehicles back and forth.
Riverside-area readers: If there’s a different or better answer, please let us know.
What is your favorite Westport restaurant right now? And what’s your favorite one that’s gone? (Anonymous)
You’re kidding, right? Do you think I’d tackle this hornet’s nest alone?
Westport has a robust dining scene right now. Readers: Click “Comments” to let us know your favorites — and why.
As for long-gone: I’m not sure. But I sure wouldn’t mind traveling back in time for burgers from Chubby Lane’s and Big Top, or meatballs (and the ambiance) at the Arrow.
One of my many go-to Westport restaurants.
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If it’s New Year’s, it’s time to … get rid of the Christmas tree.
It can be disposed of online — well, the registration is done that way, anyway. Scout Troops 39 and 139 will happily pick up yours. Click here for the form.
You’ll get a confirmation email. Then, this Saturday (January 7 — by 6:30 a.m.), put your tree by your mailbox.
There’s a suggestion donation of $20 per tree. Tape an envelope with cash or check (payable to “Boy Scout Troop 39”) to your front door.
NOTE: All Christmas trees are mulched into wood chips, and donated to the town. So no wreaths or garlands (the wires ruin the machinery).
Also seen at Compo Beach: this message to “rock” (ho ho) 2023.
It’s the handiwork of Ross and Wendy McKeon. And the “rock” part can be taken literally: They’re the parents of 2000 Staples High School graduate Drew McKeon. Among his many talents, he’s the longtime drummer in fellow Westporter Michael Bolton’s band.
Yesterday’s Roundup included a photo of a utility pole on Hillandale Road. An “06880” reader explained why it’s hard to get broken ones fixed, or obsolete wires or cables removed.
The example shown was hardly the worst. Michael Lonsdale noticed more, on the short stretch of Kings Highway North between Main and Canal Streets.
(Photos/Michael Lonsdale)
It will not be easy to address the issue. Each pole has multiple “owners” — Eversource, Altice and Frontier, for example.
Low hanging wires and excess poles are low priorities. They’re prime candidates for buck-passing.
But the lower the wires droop, and the more old poles tilt and rot, the more dangerous they are.
When they come down in a storm, excess poles and obsolete cables make clean-up that much harder.
Our electric and telecom companies have lots to do. Removing unsightly — even dangerous — wires and poles are not at the top of their lists.
And unlike weeds or brush, this is not something we can take in our own hands.
Thoughts? Click “Comments” below. Please be constructive, not nasty. And be sure to use your full, real name.
In 2018, Marliese Aguele wrote a guest post for “06880.” She decried the ugliness — and danger — of the increasing number of cables on utility lines.
This update was all set to run in mid-March. It got pushed back several times, due to more urgent COVID and other news.
But now — in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias — it seems more relevant than ever. Marliese says:
Westport is invaded, with trucks everywhere installing heavy 5G cables.
Providers like Optimum, Verizon and Frontier compete for contracts to install cables, which is very lucrative for them.
Contracts are outsourced from providers to companies of their choice anywhere in the country. Trucks do not display the name of a company, so no one can reach them after sloppy installation.
This town is overloaded with thick cables, curled-up cables, new black attachments wrapped around the cables, looking uglier than ever, installed haphazardly crisscrossing overhead in all directions.
Low cables on South Compo Road. (Photo/Morgan Mermagen)
There are poles with 17 cables attached. No consideration for esthetics. The town receives generous revenues from cable installation companies. That is all they care about.
Nobody wants to get involved, or has the authority. Driving on the Post Road, I took the liberty of speaking with an installer. He explained that companies are required to get a license/work permit from the state Public Utilities Regulatory Agency.
I spoke to another installer on Long Lots, working overhead from a truck with a New Jersey license plate. I was shown a document headed “Parkside Utility,” with no town or phone number.
I wondered why a license did not require a stamp and receipt of fee that all professionals and companies must pay. Who makes sure Connecticut is not being defrauded of much needed revenues?
I realize it is a difficult task to install the cables. I appreciate companies that make an effort, as best they can. Unfortunately, other firms perform very sloppy work.
Cables crisscross the crowded Post Road/Roseville/Hillspoint intersection.
How many more cables can they attach to overloaded poles? They droop lower and lower. It is only a matter of time before the pole on Kings Highway North snaps in half, killing the driver of a car waiting for the Wilton Road light to change. I make sure never to stop under it.
Frightened, I called the police. I was told to call the utility company.
There must be an end. Visitors are appalled at the ugliness that invades Westport. We deserve better.
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