Howell Council Discusses Citizen-Led Internet Service Committee

HOWELL, NJ - Municipal officials on the Howell Township Council say they're willing to consider the creation of a citizen-led committee regarding ongoing internet service issues occurring in the township.

During a virtual meeting on Nov. 10, the council discussed renegotiations between Howell and its internet service provider Alice, as well as the potential for a citizen-led committee amid hundreds of complaints surrounding internet issues on the township website. Read more: Howell Twp Offers Optimum 'Complaint Survey' Ahead Of Renewal

“I’d be interested in … having some citizens involved in this. What do we have, 600 complaints on our own website, and we crashed the Optimum website,” said councilman John Bonevich.

“I can guarantee … we know there would be a line down [Route] 9 for that, to be on that committee. There’s some angry folks.”

Related: Twp Council Slams Internet Provider In Howell: 'It Is Horrible'

In September, the township unveiled an online survey this week for residents to detail any service issues. The form is aimed at gathering information before the upcoming franchise renewal with the internet provider.

“We’re going to look into the citizens part,” Bonevich concluded. “We could have a committee where one or a few could join.”

An educator residing in Howell Township shared her concerns with Patch in September over poor internet connectivity, both for herself and for students. As detailed in a June letter to Mayor Berger, the instructor wrote that internet issues at her Candlewood home have impacted the educational experience of over 80 students in a nearby district.

"I am a teacher who needs to remotely/virtually teach over 80 students in the eighth grade. I have impacted over 80 families due to my inability to zoom sessions with my students or email them their work. I am also the mother of two children who need to complete their assignments for school," she wrote.

Are you experiencing internet issues in Howell or surrounding areas? Let us know in the comments below.

Residents can file a complaint with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities here.