Select Board OKs New Spectrum Cable Contract

Select Board · Meeting of September 29, 2026

West Brookfield Select Board approves a new 10-year Spectrum cable deal nearly tripling public-access funding. The board voted unanimously to raise the town's PEG funding rate from 1.5 percent to 4.5 percent of Spectrum's gross annual revenue, securing a $25,000 equipment grant, though one Cable Advisory Committee member said "we were very disappointed that Shelley couldn't do better." Library Director Amy Agro told the board the library absorbed a $60,000 cut, 27 percent of its operating budget and the largest percentage library cut in the state this year, calling it "the dubious honor of being the number one largest library budget cut in the state." Agro also warned of a proposed FCC rule that could end the federal E-Rate program, which saved the library about $3,000 last year. The board also hired Jennifer Whalen to two part-time Senior Center posts, licensed a youth sports complex at the former elementary school pending insurance paperwork, and granted Ragged Hill Cedar Company LLC a one-day liquor license for five fall and winter dates.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 3,327 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.