MLP approves minutes, preps Nov. 3 router pilot

MLP Committee · Meeting of October 21, 2026

SHUTESBURY — The Shutesbury MLP Committee finalized plans for its first router replacement pilot, beginning November 3, and approved its September 23 minutes by a 3-0 roll call vote. MLP Manager Gail Huntress reported 124 sign-ups for the roughly 120-unit pilot, ordered through a competitive bid from a Colorado-based Netgear distributor, and said she worries about low uptake and future router inventory. Huntress also announced she has been hired as Wired West's new executive director, with no conflict of interest found by the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission.

Contractor Craig reported the utility has spent $38,000 of its $70,000 annual maintenance budget, including $14,000 and $16,000 pole-transfer jobs, with $85,000 in retained earnings as backup. Board member Jim Hemingway warned installation "is much more difficult, I'm afraid, than we think it might be," while Huntress called the smartphone-app process "pretty slick." The board also shifted its regular meeting to the second Wednesday of the month starting December 9.

In the full story:

• Hut Security and Fire Detection
• Maintenance and Service Report
• Financial Update
• Police Detail Policy
• Approval of September Minutes
• Wired West Executive Director Announcement
• Meeting Schedule Changes
• Router Installation Pilot
• Field Note: Utility Pole Follow-Up
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,243 words

Source: the MLP Committee meeting of October 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.