It appears to me that Google is simply sponsoring the deployment, and did not build and will not actively manage the installation. According to the coverage map [1], technical support is provided by Sky Packets, a company that plans, builds, and maintains wifi networks in municipalities. Also, the Chelsea Improvement Company's webpage [2] says: "Google's sponsorship paid for the capital cost of the network."
[1] http://www.chelseaimprovement.com/static/pdfs/wifi/CIC_Free_...
[2] http://www.chelseaimprovement.com/neighborhood/free_wifi.htm...