GREENFIELD — Officials from the local internet provider Greenfield Community Energy and Technology (GCET) voiced their frustrations at Wednesday’s City Council meeting after Mayor Ginny Desorgher pulled back American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from GCET’s budget.

The city previously paused the distribution of ARPA funds to GCET as city officials sought greater transparency on the internet provider’s use of funding. GCET is currently using ARPA appropriations for its North Build, a project that aims to bring service to the Bernardston Road, Colrain Road, Meadow Lane and Green River Road areas as well as the area of Leyden and Country Club roads.

GCET General Manager John Lunt previously said that of the remaining $400,000 of $1,035,000 in ARPA funds promised to GCET by former Mayor Roxann Wedegartner, roughly $91,000 is for the North Build and $321,000 is for “make-ready” costs, or the modification or replacement of a utility pole, lines or equipment to accommodate additional facilities. Lunt said last month that GCET has already spent roughly $500,000 to buy fiber-optic cables and install a local convergence point (LCP) building on Severance Street.

A written statement sent to the Recorder by Desorgher’s Chief of Staff Erin Anhalt on Thursday stated the provider’s budget is actually $800,000, [not $1,035,000] with $106,000 for completion of the North Build.

“The mayor approved an increase of GCET’s ARPA funding from $729,000 to $800,000 to cover not only the $637,000 of expenses to date, but also $106,000 for completion of the North Build, plus an additional $56,000 for good measure. The mayor is thankful for the hard work of so many at GCET to provide internet to the people of Greenfield,” Anhalt wrote Thursday afternoon. “The mayor is committed to the success of GCET. We are proud to be a community that is dedicated to providing digital equity to all. While a member of City Council, Mayor Desorgher pushed hard to make sure GCET served the most disadvantaged communities in town.”

Precinct 5 Councilor Marianne Bullock opened discussions on the matter by asking the mayor why the funds were removed from GCET’s budget, and whether she planned any alternative uses for the funding. In response, Desorgher said there are no set-in-stone plans for alternate ARPA funding uses, but that in her estimation, completion of the North Build should only cost about $180,000.

“There’s a lot of make-ready work that needed to be done down that end of town. From what I was looking at, most of that was completed,” Desorgher said Wednesday evening. “I’ve been reviewing what we spent on the licenses for three separate locations down there. The hut is in there [and] it looks like it’s just about ready to go. In my estimation, that $180,000 should be enough for that part of town to be completed, and if not, I just need better and clearer explanations.”

In a public comment section, GCET officials voiced their concerns over the budget cuts, with some, such as Lunt, arguing that the remainder of the North Build will cost more than the mayor estimated.

Lunt added that GCET, in his view, has answered all of the city’s questions regarding its use of funding, and planned to send a letter to Desorgher outlining the provider’s follow-through on all of its expenditures.

“I respectfully disagree with the mayor’s characterization of the money and how it’s been moved and what is needed and not needed. We have spent hundreds and hundreds of hours answering questions from the mayor, from councilors. We’re happy to do it [and] I do think it is our responsibility,” Lunt commented. “I’m a little baffled as to how there can be this much lack of clarity, or the need for more clarity.”

Wedegartner also spoke during public comment, stating that at the end of December 2023, GCET had $445,877 budgeted for the North Build. Wedegartner requested that City Council further question the allocation of funds by the city. 

“It is my understanding that some $305,000 was clawed back. The intent, as I said, was to ensure that this lower-cost internet service that’s used by the schools, it’s used by and available to anyone who wants a lower-cost internet option,” Wedegartner said. “I don’t know that the mayor really answered the question, what is the purpose of the $300,000 if it’s not going to be used or allowed to be used by GCET, so please continue to ask questions about that.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.