The document provides information about the town of Leverett, Massachusetts. It discusses Leverett's population, land area, income levels, and form of government. It also summarizes Leverett's efforts to promote sustainability, including building a fiber optic network called LeverettNet that provides high-speed internet to all households and businesses. LeverettNet is overseen by the town's municipal light plant. The document also notes Leverett's community organizations, land preservation efforts, historic preservation activities, and politically active residents.

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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5. 4/21/16
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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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