COMMUNITY NETWORK

A bill before the Utilities Committee by Bangor Democratic Sen. Joe Perry explains itself as a means to help towns develop computer systems that provide “free or low-cost access to information and services through a centrally managed network or intranet or Internet connection.” Useful but dull. What the bill actually does is much more interesting and important.

For starters, LD 1767 hits at least four of the major legislative truisms, as follows: Maine must advance technologically; state and local governments do not have additional money for new programs; the old way of government doing business is driving Maine out of business, if not its businesses out of Maine; and, community matters immensely here.

The formal name of LD 1767, An Act To Encourage Community Network Development, begins to get at the real benefit of the program. Begun a decade ago in Hermon, this computer network uses a central server with lots of memory, publicly available software and castoff computers, gutted and retrofitted with computer cards. Jeff Wheeler, the director of information services for HermonNet, says he can assemble a 30-unit cluster of computers for about $3,500, with upgrades needed only at the central computer. The system can provide free controlled Web access to all students at home or school and provide open access to adults.

What makes the HermonNet system more than just an affordable version of the state’s laptop program is its emphasis on community. As Mr. Wheeler and Tony Brinkley, a University of Maine associate professor of English and the interim director of Franco-American Studies, recently wrote, “While the use of technology is original and in many ways remarkably innovative, what is central to the Hermon model is the understanding of community and community development. Without this central understanding, the technology is just technology and imitation of the Hermon model will fail.”

The network’s success lies in its ability to be accessible to everyone because of its low cost and in its use as a place to bring together ideas central to a community, whether debating town plans, or clustering talented people who would otherwise remain unconnected.

Sen. Perry said he added a modest fiscal note to the bill ($100,000 over two years) to help with start-up costs, but says he is most interested in letting municipalities and schools know about the potential of this system. The Legislature would do well to direct state government, especially the Education Department, to share the details of Hermon’s system and let common sense take it from there.