Longmeadow voters have now soundly rejected the municipally owned fiber network twice—first at 2026 Annual Town Meeting (Article 7) and again at the June 2 Annual Town Elections when the Proposition 2½ debt exclusion ballot question was defeated. The message from taxpayers was clear: they do not support using taxpayer funds and municipal borrowing to build a town-owned broadband network.
Some supporters argued that a municipal network could create a new revenue stream for the town. However, the proposed network was structured as a nonprofit municipal utility. Any surplus revenue would be reinvested into the network or returned to subscribers through lower rates. Unlike a private company, the network was not designed to generate profits that could be used to support town services or reduce property taxes.
The challenge facing the municipal proposal was that it relied on significant taxpayer investment while attempting to maintain subscriber rates that were competitive with private providers. Voters ultimately concluded that the financial risks outweighed the potential benefits.
Gateway Fiber offers a practical alternative.
Gateway Fiber is an experienced private fiber provider with recent Massachusetts projects in Gardner, Pittsfield, and Northampton. Unlike a municipal network that would still require extensive planning, financing, and construction preparation, Gateway Fiber has already completed substantial development work in Longmeadow. The company has submitted pole applications, worked through utility attachment requirements, and made make-ready payments to pole owners. These efforts have already advanced the project beyond the preliminary stages and position Gateway Fiber to move more quickly than a municipally funded alternative.
Most importantly, Gateway Fiber's proposal does not require taxpayer funding, municipal borrowing, or taxpayer-backed financial risk. Residents would receive the benefits of a modern fiber network while the company assumes the investment and operating risks.
Because Gateway Fiber is a private company, its success depends entirely on attracting and retaining customers. The company must offer competitive pricing, reliable service, responsive customer support, and a network that residents want to use. If it fails to meet customer expectations, residents can choose another provider. This market-driven accountability creates strong incentives for efficiency and customer satisfaction without exposing taxpayers to financial losses.
Competition is also good for consumers. The arrival of a new fiber provider can encourage all internet providers to improve service, increase speeds, and keep prices competitive. Even residents who choose not to subscribe to Gateway Fiber may benefit from the increased competition that a new entrant brings to the marketplace.
The role of town government should now be to respect the outcome of the votes and work cooperatively with Gateway Fiber and any other qualified provider interested in serving Longmeadow. Rather than creating obstacles, town officials should facilitate private investment that can deliver the broadband infrastructure residents want without burdening taxpayers.
The issue before Longmeadow is no longer whether the town should have fiber broadband. The issue is how best to achieve it. Voters have rejected a taxpayer-funded municipal approach. Gateway Fiber presents an opportunity to bring high-speed fiber service to Longmeadow through private investment, competitive pricing, and a faster path to deployment.
Town leaders should embrace that opportunity and work with Gateway Fiber to make fiber broadband a reality for Longmeadow residents and businesses—without asking taxpayers to bear the cost or the risk.
Jim Moran
48 Avondale Road
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