Presentation at 2016 Massachusetts Sustainable Campuses and Communities Conference

1. Town of Leverett
Sustainability
Conference
April 16, 2016Marjorie McGinnis
Executive Administrator
Manager of Municipal Light Plant
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2. About Leverett
• Population 1,800
• Franklin County
• Bordering Towns: Amherst, Montague, Sunderland, Wendell,
and Shutesbury
• Form of Government: elected three-member Selectboard,
several other elected and appointed officials
• Approximately 43 miles of roads
• 2012 per capita income was $36,503 (MassDOR)
• Approximately 53% of the land in town is classified under
M.G.L. Chapter 61 for forest, agriculture, or recreation
protection.
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Location
• Influence of Amherst/Northampton area
• Franklin County
• Access to urban but live remote

3. Sustainability = People Want to
Live/Visit Here
• Broadband
• Town approved debt authorization of $3.6 million to build a
fiber to the home internet system in 2012 – now called
LeverettNet
• Construction started in 2013 and was complete in 2015
• Overseen by a newly created Leverett Municipal Light Plant –
Created under M.G.L. Chapter 164
• Offer symmetrical 1-Gigabit-per-second (1 Gbps) Active
Ethernet connectivity for every household/business location in
town
• Offer internet alone, phone alone or both – no TV
• Managed through contracts for Internet Service Provider (ISP),
Network Operator and Maintenance services
• Connects to the Internet through a 2-Gigabits-per-second
connection to Massachusetts Broadband Institute "middle
mile" network
• Promotes home businesses/education/worldwide connection
and participation
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4. LeverettNet Dedication
October 2015
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6. Other Features
• Town Efforts
• Well maintained
• Good schools
• Safety Complex built in 2002
• Library built in 2003
• Community Preservation Act
passed in 2002
• Agricultural Commission
passed in 2006
• Affordable Housing Trust
passed in 2007
• Energy Committee
• Green Communities
Designation 2011
• Community Compact 2015
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7. Community Organizations
• Leverett Village COOP
• Peace Pagoda
• Leverett Crafts and Arts
• Rattlesnake Gutter Trust
• Active Historical Society
• Farms
• Multiple religious
organizations
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8. 4/21/16
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Peace Pagoda

9. Land Preservation
• Paul Jones Working Forest
• Teawaddle Hill Farm
• Rattlesnake Gutter
• Trails Committee – Trust and
Conservation Commission
• CPA funds
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10. History kept Alive
• Historical Society and Historical Commission
• Cemetery Commission
• Active preservation of historic sites - buildings/cemeteries
• North Leverett Sawmill
• National Register designations
• Museums
• School programs
• CPA funds
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11. Political Activism
• Residents politically involved
• Active board and committees
• Town meeting resolutions – local, regional and
national issues
• Feeling of connection to Amherst/Northampton
area, Franklin County area and the world
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12. Summarize
Support, Involvement, Belief, Work
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