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Friday, February 9, 2018
Mayor Bettencourt takes initiative to install fiber loop By Christopher Roberson
S
o m e t i m e s w h e n yo u want something done right – or in this case, done at all – you just have to do it yourself. That was the position taken by Mayor Edward Bettencourt regarding the installation of a high-speed fiber loop in the city. “High speed fiber networks are critical components of 21st century municipal infrastructure,” he said. “Third party network providers like Comcast and Verizon have not stepped up to better serve our city users, so Peabody is taking an important first step to create our own high-speed fiber network.” To date, Comcast and Verizon have only provided Peabody customers with “limited choices.” Therefore, Bettencourt recently announced that his office will be working in concert with the Peabody Municipal Light Plant (PMLP) to install the fiber loop. After completion, the fiber loop will connect all PMLP installations that are currently “scattered throughout the city.”There will also be an open system design, which will allow for high-speed connections throughout the schools, libraries, the Police and Fire Departments and the Department of Public Services. Bettencourt has also requested that additional capacity be included in the fiber loop, as there could be an option to eventually provide gigabit-speed Internet service. In addition, by having its own fiber loop, the city would be free from “third party providers who might not agree to standards regarding Internet neutrality or who offer Internet connectivity at arbitrarily reduced speeds or at artificially premium prices.” PMLP Commissioner William Aylward said he is looking forward to the new communication nexus. “The Police and Fire Departments will be able to communicate more efficiently; the schools will all be tied together as well,” he said, adding that traffic cameras could also be added down-
town and “Adding this fiber loop will benefit many different departments throughout the city.”
Looking ahead, Aylward said he expects other cable and Internet companies to express an interest in leasing
the fiber loop, which would give residents even more options. “Our feeling is that cable TV is soon to be a thing of
the past with streaming, satellites and the Internet,” he said. “This will certainly set us up for the future.”
Pizza Fest funds donated to Haven from Hunger/Citizens Inn
Shown, from left to right, are Corey Jackson, executive director of Haven from Hunger/Citizens Inn, Mayor Edward Bettencourt, Pasquale DeLeo, owner of Plum Tomatoes Brick Oven Pizza, his daughters Isabella,5 and Olivia 10, his wife Tracey, Deanne Healey, president of Peabody Main Streets, Mary Bellavance, administrative assistant in the Mayor’s Office and Councillor-at-Large Thomas Gould. On Feb. 5, Haven from Hunger/Citizens Inn received a check for $4,000 from the funds raised during the August 2017 Pizza Fest. (Advocate photos by Christopher Roberson)
Lady Tanners hockey edge Fenwick, 2-1
Peabody forward Sammie Mirasolo is thwarted by Bishop Fenwick goalie Cailyn Wesley on this breakaway bid last Saturday while BF’s Elise Staunton trails the play. The Tanners were able to withstand late-game pressure from crosstown rival the Bishop Fenwick Crusaders and come away with a hard-fought 2-1 victory last Saturday at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink. See story and photos on page 5. (Advocate photos by Greg Phipps)