Broadband Committee

Home

Broadband Committee

The Wendell Broadband Committee Mission

To facilitate the acquisition or installation of high-speed Internet to Wendell, Shutesbury and Leverett.

Researching technologies with an emphasis on Internet and technology access for the schools, libraries, town halls, police and fire departments, homebound residents, disabled residents, and seniors.
Analyze costs and financing options by gathering information from prospective providers.
Work closely with Wendell's Select Board, making recommendations to the Board regarding providers or technologies.
Find the solutions that will best protect the rural character and pristine natural resources of our community.
Find solutions that afford the most local control, affordable, options and financially self-supporting solutions.
Consulting with, advising, and working closely with Shutesbury / Leverett broadband committees.

Draft Minutes of the 6-27-2011 meeting

Wendell Broadband Committee
June 27, 2011 Draft Meeting Minutes
Meeting opened at: 7:15 p.m. at the Wendell Town Offices.

Members Present: Robbie Heller, Robbie Leppzer, Nan Riebschlaeger, and Benjamin Schwartz.

Info on Broadband Article For Wendell Town Meeting 12/15/10

Robbie Leppzer, Chair, Wendell Broadband Committee

At our upcoming special Town Meeting on Wednesday, December 15 at 7pm, Wendell citizens will have an opportunity to vote to take concrete steps to develop a municipally-owned, fiber-optic high-speed broadband internet network for Wendell and other unserved towns in Western Massachusetts.

As Chair of the Wendell Broadband Committee, I co-led the original organizing efforts, with other broadband committee representatives from 47 unserved and underserved towns across Western Mass., to create the Wired West Cooperative.

Last June at our annual Town Meeting, Wendell citizens voted overwhelmingly to "enter into immediate discussions" with other Western Mass towns to create WiredWest.

Report to Wendell Select Board on WiredWest

Robbie Leppzer, Chair, Wendell Broadband Committee

Background

Spring 2010: Town meeting vote or select board action in 47 towns established intent to cooperate with other towns on the creation of Wired West to provide "last mile" broadband network to homes and businesses. This network will be funded by grants, bonds, and subscriber fees, and will not be dependent on tax revenue from the towns. Wendell passed this warrant article with an overwhelming majority vote.

July 2010: Massachusetts Broadband Institute awarded $45.4 Million (total $71.6 Million with state funds) to build "middle mile" broadband network now called MassBroadband 123, connecting to anchor institutions in 123 unserved and underserved towns with 1100 miles of fiber-optic cable.

Town of Wendell, Massachusetts

The Wendell Broadband Committee Mission

Draft Minutes of the 6-27-2011 meeting

Info on Broadband Article For Wendell Town Meeting 12/15/10

Robbie Leppzer, Chair, Wendell Broadband Committee

Report to Wendell Select Board on WiredWest

Robbie Leppzer, Chair, Wendell Broadband Committee

Background

Broadband Committee

Members

Meetings

Broadband Links

Broadband Committee Documents

Wendell A-Z

Wired West News

Combined Broadband Mailing List feed

Most Viewed

Old Home Day 2009