Minutes
Meeting of Southern Berkshire Technology Committee
13 May 2009
Great Barrington, Massachusetts

A meeting of the Southern Berkshire Technology Committee was held on 13 May 2009 at
the Town Hall, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, at 4:00 PM, as previously posted.
Present were Charles Flynn (Chair), Tim Newman (Vice Chair), Bob O’Haver, Bob Lichter
(Secretary), Jim Lovejoy, Michael Storch, Brian Killeen, and Paul O’Brien.

The minutes of the meeting of 29 April 2009 were approved unanimously.

Charlie Flynn agreed to continue as Chair of SBTC.

Charlie Flynn reported on his participation in a meeting with legislators, school
committee representatives, and the Commissioner of Education in Boston about
consolidation of school districts as a cost‐saving measure. He noted that the discussion
did not include the use of technology to facilitate this possibility, and pointed out that
technology—and broadband in particular—is required for effective communication
among widely separated schools. He felt that the idea generated some resonance, but
noted also that budget constraints in future years required acting on building out
broadband capabilities sooner rather than later.

Charlie Flynn reported also that the Department of Education is starting an initiative to
improve data collection and analysis for schools. He and Paul O’Brien suggested that the
Lee and Southern Berkshire Regional School Districts collaborate to collect, store, and
access data, and that this step, together with the value of broadband for businesses and
local governments, could be a significant part of a proposal leading to build‐out of a
broadband system in the region. It would also be useful to cooperate with other
education‐related efforts, such as the Berkshire Compact for Higher Education and STEM
Pipeline Network.

Tim Newman reported on his exchange of correspondence with Sharon Gillett, the newly
appointed Director of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. SBTC resolved to set as a
priority the organization of a meeting with Gillett and the MBI before a proposal
mechanism is established in order to help shape how the MBI’s efforts proceed. The
Committee agreed that others, such as the Connects and certainly our local legislators,
could be invited to participate, but the meeting would be organized and led by SBTC. At
the same time, the Committee agreed that it needs to push ahead with developing the
technical aspects of a plan, and to continue to put pressure on legislators for support.
The status of the non‐disclosure agreements between the member towns and National
Grid was discussed. Towns have to provide proof that the individual signing the
document was authorized to do so. However, once the agreement with National Grid to
provide pole data is in place, the Committee is in a position to approach Western
Massachusetts Electric Co. With both utilities participating, engaging Verizon may be
unnecessary, because the data will contain not only poles that the utilities own but also
ones to which they are connected.
As reported earlier, Charlie Flynn has been in contact with Rich Vinnette of the Lee
Community Development Corporation, who in turn put him in contact with Rhonda
Serre of Mass Development, about providing assistance in developing a proposal. Charlie
will meet with her about this. The Committee noted that although it must continue to
remain in communication with MBI and the political leadership, the plan will go forward
with or without them.

The Committee also agreed that inviting Lee, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge to join
SBTC is desirable. Bob Lichter will inform Charlie Flynn of the name of the West
Stockbridge contact with whom the Alford Broadband Committee had worked.
The Committee discussed the other components of the Berkshire Regional Planning
Commission grant to SBTC. Charlie will contact Sarah Lavallee to get the status of its
efforts on reviewing town bylaws and permitting procedures to identify and minimize
barriers, perhaps also developing a template for use by all towns.
Jim Lovejoy discussed Mount Washington’s plans to develop its own broadband effort.
Because of the unique topographical and geographical features and opportunities there,
the Committee agreed that the town’s efforts and possible success could serve as a
model for what the rest of the region could do, and pledged to support the town. SBTC
would serve as a conduit about the results to the Commonwealth.
Bob Lichter reported that Alford had approved $1,500 for the SBTC. Sandisfield has also
approved the $1,500 appropriation, as reported by John Burrows by e‐mail.
After further discussion and review, the Committee agreed on the following action items:

• Continue contacts with MBI and Gillett to arrange a meeting by 15 June; Tim Newman will continue to take the lead.
• Continue obtaining more technical information; Jim Lovejoy will take the lead.
• Continue the pole mapping and permitting examination.
• Designate Mount Washington’s efforts as a template for SBTC.
• Initiate working with MassDevelopment for proposal planning.
• Invite Lee, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge to join SBTC.
• Send a thank‐you letter to Tony Blair for his assistance.

The next SBTC meeting will be scheduled after the status of a meeting with Sharon Gillett
is known.
The meeting adjourned at 5:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert L. Lichter
Secretary