Vermont engineer revives pay phones to provide free calls in rural areas
- Patrick Schlott, an engineer in rural Vermont, recognized the lack of cell service and saw an opportunity to help his community.
- He installed the first of several free pay phones at the North Tunbridge General Store, with additional phones requested by community members.
- This initiative has restored access to communication for residents, proving beneficial for those without cell phones and enhancing safety in the community.
In rural Vermont, an electrical engineer named Patrick Schlott has embarked on a project to revive and restore old pay phones to provide reliable communication options for residents in an area known for its poor cell service. Realizing that there was no cell coverage for 10 miles in either direction from where he lived, Schlott saw an opportunity to make a positive impact on his community by offering pay phones for free to public users. After approaching the owners of North Tunbridge General Store, Mike and Lois Gross, he installed the first pay phone outside the store, which has since benefited users in need. As word of this project spread, interest in installing more pay phones grew, leading to additional installations at local landmarks, including the Latham Library in Thetford and an informational booth in Randolph, off Interstate 89. Schlott sources the old pay phones from various locations including flea markets and online listings, with costs ranging from $100 to $500 per unit. He funds ongoing expenses, which are minimal — about $2 to $3 per month for each phone line and less than $5 per month for calls. One unique aspect of Schlott's initiative is that he acts as the operator for the phones; if someone dials zero, the call redirects to his personal cellphone, though he keeps his number private using an application. This service has already made an impact, with 370 calls being registered in the first five months since the initial installation, providing vital communication for residents, including students without cell phones. Patrick Schlott's dedication to this project reflects a larger commitment to community welfare and resourcefulness. As he continues to cover the costs for the phones, he recognizes the importance of maintaining these old-school communication devices rather than letting them end up in landfills. Schlott is currently in the process of organizing another installation at Brownell Library in Essex, indicating not only the success of his initiative but also a growing community interest in providing reliable means of communication in areas with inadequate mobile services.