About the Shutesbury-Leverett Broadband Committee

The Shutesbury-Leverett Broadband Committee is an official joint Shutesbury-Leverett Town Committee.

Our Charge:

To bring high-speed Internet to Shutesbury and Leverett.

To accomplish this, the SLBC will take the lead in:

1. Researching and following the latest internet and associated technologies (including TV/video and
   telephone/voice when there are implications for internet services), including other towns' solutions;
2. Analyzing costs and financing options for various approaches;
3. Interacting with providers, experts, and the media;
4. Creating two-way communication with residents;
5. Consulting with, advising, and working closely with Shutesbury and Leverett Select Boards;
6. Gathering information from prospective providers;
7. Making recommendations to the Select Boards regarding prospective providers;
8. Placing special emphasis on internet and technology access for the schools, libraries, town halls,
   police and fire departments, home-bound residents, disabled residents, and seniors.

Our Values:

Universal access
Better services for our schools, libraries, town halls, police and fire departments
New services for seniors, disabled residents, and other home-bound and special needs populations
Economic development, particularly for small businesses, home businesses, and telecommuting
Protecting the rural character and pristine natural resources of our community
Local control
Affordability and options
Financially self-supporting solutions
Creating new ways to help homebound or less mobile residents to actively participate in public activities.

Members:
Drawing from the members of the pre-existing ad hoc commitee who have attended at least three meetings, the following residents of Shutesbury and Leverett are being submitted for appointment by the Selectboards:

Shutesbury
Weezie (Marie Louise) Houle
Howell Lee

Leverett
Glen Ayers
Rob Brooks, Chair

Note: SLBC has a desire, but not a requirement, that there be equal numbers of Leverett and Shutesbury residents. However, it is the explicit will of the group that each member, regardless of place of residence, represent the interests of both towns.