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Springfield council delays approval of GoNet Speed fiber work after members raise equity and traffic questions
Summary
City councilors voted to continue more than two dozen GoNet Speed permits that would allow underground conduit installation across neighborhoods after members urged more vetting on buildout commitments, neighborhood impacts and equity of coverage.
Springfield City Council members voted on July 14 to continue consideration of 27 separate permits from GoNet Speed that would authorize underground conduit and fiber installations in neighborhoods across the city. The council’s vote means the petitions will return to the next regular meeting for further review rather than receive final approval that night.
Supporters said the work brings a second retail internet option to parts of Springfield now dominated by a single provider, giving residents potential choice and competition. Several councilors said they want more detail on the company’s buildout plan and on how the rollout would affect neighborhoods during construction.
Councilor Delgado, who proposed continuing the matter, said, “I do not feel comfortable voting on this. I feel like there's still a lot more that we as a city need to do before we make this decision.” The motion to continue was seconded and carried after a roll-call vote.
Why it matters: The petitions cover excavation in public rights-of-way on dozens of streets and would allow GoNet Speed to place 1 1/4-inch or 2-inch conduit between utility poles and install fiber to serve residences. Councilors pressed for answers about where the company will build first, how quickly it will move through lower-income neighborhoods, and what consumer protections will be in place if the company stops expansion midstream.
Details of the debate: City DPW director Chris Signoli told the council the work is primarily “tree-belt” work between poles and that most of the locations listed would require minimal excavation. When asked when construction would begin, Signoli said the company “would most likely start immediately” and indicated crews could be on-site within a week or two.
Councilors who favored immediate approval warned that delaying dozens of individual underground-conduit petitions would hold up residents who are already waiting for service. Councilor Walsh said she opposed continuing the items because the installations are underground and many residents likely requested them; she said postponing would delay service for families already on wait lists. Other councilors said they supported the continuation to allow a committee or subcommittee to review the plan, ask GoNet Speed for a detailed citywide schedule, and discuss ways to stagger work to reduce traffic impacts.
What the council did: The motion to continue the items to the council’s next regular meeting carried. Councilors noted the company was present and could be asked to provide a fuller presentation to a committee between meetings.
Next steps: The petitions will return to the council agenda at the next regular meeting. Council members asked staff to coordinate a technical briefing or committee hearing with GoNet Speed, DPW, planning, and economic development to clarify buildout commitments, service locations, traffic mitigation and how the company will prioritize lower-income neighborhoods.
Speakers quoted or cited in this article spoke during the July 14 council meeting public proceedings and the subsequent regular meeting session.
