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BY MELANIE CSEPIGA
Times Correspondent | Thursday, October 09, 2008 | (No comments posted.)
LOWELL | After more than a decade of providing local Internet service and computer repair, Lowell-based RTL Systems Inc. is set to close its doors Oct. 31.
It wasn't welcome news to the Town of Lowell government offices, which have never had another Internet service provider, Clerk/Treasurer Judy Walters said.
RTL Systems Inc. provided Internet service to the town through its xvi.net. It also maintained the town's web page and conducted all computer repair.
"They made it so easy. For Tom, it was a community thing. He wanted to help," Walters said of the town's former police chief and RTL co-owner Tom Felder, now deceased. "We've definitely been spoiled."
Jan Felder, who has been RTL's primary owner since her husband's death, said the closure was not an easy decision but was dictated by the economy.
"It was part of Tom's legacy," she said.
In March 1997, RTL Systems was incorporated by partners Richard Ludlow, Lee Childress and Tom Felder. At its peak, it had about 1,100 accounts, both commercial and residential.
Eventually, Felder became the primary owner, with the business manager Cassie Smith owning a share.
"We're one of the last ones left," Smith said of local independent Internet service providers, citing Hebron-based Netnitco and Monticello's Fairnet LLC.
"People stayed with us for the personal service," Jan Felder said.
Employee Ginny Myers said it wasn't unusual to spend considerable time with clients who were not raised on computers and in need of more personal service.
"I'm going to miss all those customers," she said.
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