Thanks to an immediate response from SLIC Network Solutions, the Village of Canton now has a “parking” hotspot for residents looking for Internet access from a safe social distance.
“Our goal in these uncertain times is to support Canton residents the best ways we can,” said Mayor Michael Dalton. “When Trustee Anna Sorensen came to me with the idea of providing a hotspot for members of our community, it seemed worth a shot.”
Sorensen, who serves on the Joint Town/Village Communications and Technology Committee, had seen that hotspots were available in other communities and knew it would be a help in Canton. “This provides an important service for people who don’t have connectivity – or adequate connectivity – at home and who would usually use the local library or local businesses for access. With those locations closed, they have nowhere else to go. Now they can come into the village and sit in their car and do what they need to get done.”
The hotspot was installed free of charge by SLIC next to Canton’s municipal building at 60 Main Street. The network, simply named SLIC Free WiFi, is available in roughly a 600-foot radius from the installation. People seeking internet access may park in the lot between the municipal building and the old McDonalds or the lot behind them toward MidTown Plaza. The signal should be available from some parking spots on Main Street as well as from parts of the gas station parking lot across Miner Street.
“We are very aware that not everyone in Canton has adequate internet access,” says Sorensen. This becomes a more critical and urgent problem in times of crisis. We are grateful that SLIC was willing and able to so promptly respond to this community need.”
The Village and Town continue to gather and share COVID-19 information and announcements on the municipal website www.cantonny.gov and on the Canton, New York Facebook page.
Last modified: April 6, 2020
