EDC heard that make-ready work for a municipal fiber pilot is underway in three service areas; project managers encouraged residents to register interest at whipcityfiber.com/southwick and noted initial construction will reach central corridors and three pilot neighborhoods.

Town staff announced make‑ready utility work for the municipal fiber trial on College Highway and surrounding neighborhoods and launched a Whip City Fiber sign‑up page (whipcityfiber.com/southwick); staff said lighting of the fiber is projected for late 2027 pending take rates and financing.

Select Board members described a pilot build of fiber in three service areas by Westfield Gas & Electric and said any further borrowing for expansion would require a future town meeting; residents questioned whether the pilot commits the town to additional spending and raised past tax‑break questions for a company tied to the project.

The Select Board voted to execute an IGA with Westfield Gas & Electric/Whip City Fiber to build a pilot fiber service area in Southwick. The agreement covers construction of a pilot area, use of Westfield infrastructure to host initial equipment, and preliminary residential rates; the pilot aims to deliver service to pockets of the town within six to 12 months.