Longmeadow Fiber’s financial model is indeed NOT proven, and NOT the same as other models, even as they relate to Fiberspring.
To build Fiberspring, South Hadley’s Municipal Utility borrowed the money, not the town. Longmeadow doesn’t have a municipal utility and would bear the debt for Fiber, placing all of the risk on taxpayers. 

South Hadley owns and operates its own municipal fiber network through SHELD, the same model Longmeadow officials are pointing to as a proven path forward…

Whitman officials are warning of a challenging financial road ahead, as the Select Board and Finance Committee reviewed a projected $1.3 million operating deficit for Fiscal Year 2027…

Massachusetts municipalities are navigating what the MMA has rightly called a “Perfect Storm.” Rising costs, rigid revenue limits under Proposition 2½, and decades of eroding state aid have placed cities and towns under significant financial pressure…

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey enters her third term with a packed agenda for 2026. Fresh off her election win, she’s pushing forward on major priorities…

Baystate Health, one of the largest employers in Western Massachusetts, has announced a voluntary buyout program for employees in non–direct-patient-care roles across the system and its subsidiary, Health New England…

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School committee voted 7–1 to hold an Islandwide election in 2026 to decide local funding for a major high school building project…

Marblehead officials are warning of a challenging financial outlook for Fiscal Year 2027, as rising costs and slowing revenue growth strain the town’s budget…

For the second time in 2025, Massachusetts has halted millions in local aid payments to Holyoke due to the city’s failure to reconcile its cash accounts and submit required financial reports…

Massachusetts sheriffs are facing intense scrutiny from lawmakers after over spending in multiple counties, with Hampden County being $27 million over budget…

Hadley is facing a significant budget shortfall following a failed passage of two property tax override questions…

Hadley is confronting a budget shortfall that could force cuts to its fire department, a move raising concern not only locally but among neighboring communities…

Massachusetts cities and towns are grappling with what municipal leaders are calling a “perfect storm” of fiscal pressures…

Longmeadow residents have voted to fund a $151 million new middle school project, replacing the aging Glenbrook and Williams Middle Schools…

On May 20, Southwick held its annual Town Meeting, giving residents the opportunity to vote on several key issues affecting their community. One of the most significant proposals was whether the town should borrow $16 million to fund a town-owned broadband network…

There is increasing concern among Western Mass residents about the rapid decision-making process affecting vital community resources without adequate public input—a situation that could worsen with high-cost broadband projects that are not a critical community need…

[West Springfield] Recently, West Springfield’s Mayor, William Reichelt, submitted a resolution to the West Springfield Town Council seeking a full investigation into Eversource, a local utility company. This comes after West Springfield residents noticed an unexpected increase in their monthly utility bills…

[Southwick] Recently, the Southwick Water Commissioners voted unanimously to raise sewer rates in the city. This came after prolonged discussions spanning the course of last year because no one wanted to see these rate increases happen…

[Southwick] Recently, concerns have begun to arise from lawmakers on Beacon Hill around the budget for the fiscal year 2026. The numerous factors causing the concern stem from decreases in tax revenue combined with post-COVID spending, leading to growing concerns that budget cuts will have to be made to key programs…

[Southwick] As Southwick moves forward with plans to potentially build a town-owned fiber optic network, significant questions about the survey process designed to measure community support have emerged…