Mass Broadband Coalition Meeting tomorrow at 4:00

[Robert Espindola]

Good morning Broadband Coalition members,

I just wanted to remind you that we have a meeting of the Mass Broadband Coalition tomorrow, November 16th, at 4:00 P.M.  The Zoom link is attached.

So far, the Agenda will include the following:

• Guests from Open Cape - Presentation -  Q&A
• Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District to discuss  MBI's Municipal Digital Equity Planning (MDEP) program
•  Mass Broadband Institute - Discuss internet for All program comment period and Bead Challenge Process https://broadband.masstech.org/news (MBI guest speaker in December)
• Letter to Attorney General's office - discuss draft and possible additions to highlight anti-Broadband development propaganda by incumbent providers.
• Update on Local initiatives (Town Meetings, RFI’s, Public Private Partnerships, etc.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the addenda or suggestions for other topics.

I hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Thank you.

Bob

Join Zoom Meeting
https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/83873557232?pwd=9nFzsWuyvCUOg4edmU7h5KSPVmdpoG.1

Meeting ID: 838 7355 7232
Passcode: 241139

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Meeting ID: 838 7355 7232

Find your local number: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/u/kbEg9h713J

[Robert Espindola]

Coalition members.

Please see comments from David Cole (Westport).  He’s looking for feedback from anyone who has had difficulty establishing an MLP.

We can discuss his questions about MBI on our call.

Thanks,

Bob

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: David C. Cole <johnw...@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Nov 15, 2023 at 2:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Massachusetts Broadband Coalition] Mass Broadband Coalition Meeting tomorrow at 4:00
To: Robert Espindola <respi...@fairhaven-ma.gov>

Thanks Bob, I plan to attend. I have downloaded the MBI document and find it difficult to understand what the opportunities are for a town like Westport and what they are expecting from the comments. Is there someone who can enlighten us on those matters before our meeting next month?

We are having difficulties in Westport with our Town Attorneys, KP Law, who are questioning the legality of establishing an MLP exclusively for providing internet services. I have sent them documents from Falmouth and elsewhere but, so far, have nor convinced them. Is this an issue that other towns in our coalition have encountered, and, if so, how might they have addressed it? Could this question be sent out to our group for comment?

The coalition is proving very helpful. Thank you for initiating it.

David Cole

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[Ian Cain]

Hi Bob,

In Quincy, we received guidance that the MA Department of Revenue ("DOR") Division of Local Services ("DLS") has concluded that municipalities may utilize other organizational structures to own and operate broadband infrastructure and provide such services to end use customers. As such, we formed an enterprise fund through the city council as opposed to forming an MLP, which seemed to be the simplest and most expedient framework.

All the best,

Ian

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/ma-bc.org/d/msgid/members/CABqOtKTFgeZ49fxy65oyJJ7GabyEHfD2xfX6%2BFpFm8d-yHdUtQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Robert Espindola]

Ian,

Thank you.

In Fairhaven, our counsel told us that, according to statute, and unless special legislation was passed, an enterprise fund could not be used for only certain residential properties (ie those comprising the “take rate”.  He said that a Broadband project would have to be applied, as a water or sewer betterment would, to every property the project passes by.

Were you advised otherwise in Quincy?

Thanks,

Bob

[Joe Chamberlin]

The town of Milton established our MLP recently (via 2 town meeting votes).  We have the explicit intention to build a business/residential network and provide internet service town-wide.  Now whether we succeed or not in building our residential network is another question, but we've been upfront on that point from the very beginning of our journey 6 years ago.  I recall some questions around what the MLP allows a town to do and not do but the fact that we want to provide internet-as-a-utility was not detrimental. 

David please email me separately and let's see if I can put you in touch with the right people here in Milton.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/ma-bc.org/d/msgid/members/CABqOtKTFgeZ49fxy65oyJJ7GabyEHfD2xfX6%2BFpFm8d-yHdUtQ%40mail.gmail.com.