image description

Money Sought For Study on Possible Pittsfield Broadband Network

Staff ReportsPrint Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city wants to know if it could become an internet service provider.
 
State Reps. Tricia Farley-Bouiver and Paul Mark have filed a budget amendment calling for "not less than $75,000 be allocated for the purpose of a feasibility study" to determine if the city can and should become an internet service provider. The amendment came at the request from Mayor Linda Tyer.
 
"This is in response to the demand we know is out there for broadband and quite frankly we are tired of waiting for the utilities and the cable companies to move on this issue," Tyer said.
 
"If we want to be competitive in a global economy, broadband is going to vital to that. It is vital for the William Stanley Business Park. It is important for businesses downtown. We're going to see if we can taker this on ourselves."
 
Municipal broadband systems have been taking hold in Western Massachusetts recently. The community-owned internet service is eyed to bolster speeds and decrease pricing in areas that are underserved by the utility companies.
 
The study, if approved, would examine if there is a market and an interest for the city to develop its own service. Tyer referred said the city has the possibility to become the "hub" for the entire county's high-speed internet service.
 
"We want to conduct a feasibility study to see if we can be the broadband, internet service provider," Tyer said.
 
The mayor noted Westfield as an example of such a system, and said city officials have been in communication with that service to gain insight. The Westfield network is expanding through partnerships with some 20 neighboring towns.
 
The study is only the first step and has yet to be approved in the state's budget. But, eventually, if feasible, the idea would be that the city builds out the high-speed internet network. The ultimate goal is to have enough subscribers to support the network's operations.
 
Currently, Pittsfield is mostly served by Spectrum but the relationship between the cable and internet provided and the city and state have been tenuous. 

Tags: broadband,   Internet,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories