Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

Mayor’s Brown Bag Luncheon Series Explores Municipal WiFi

Mayor James J. Fiorentini today instituted a new means of obtaining input from residents, which he called his “Brown Bag Lunch With the Mayor.” Several times a year the Mayor will hold luncheons to discuss specific topics.

“The Brown Bag Luncheon with the Mayor” series is an opportunity for me to listen, learn and gives me a means of obtaining input before making major policy decisions. I intend to assemble the parties with knowledge of specific topics and bring them to city hall for a one hour discussion.”

Monday, the Mayor held the first of his Brown Bag Luncheons to discuss “Municipal WiFi—is it Right for Haverhill?”

WiFi, which stands for Wireless Fidelity, is a means of connecting to the internet without wires. Most airports have Wifi access, so that a person with a laptop that has a wireless card can access the internet. Some communities are now exploring whether to offer free internet access in their parks, schools and libraries.

The panel discussion explored whether it was feasible and economical to offer free internet access in parks in the city. The Mayor said he was interested, but only if it could be done at no cost to local taxpayers. Vendors at the meeting said that they would explore whether such a service could be supported by advertising. Vendors promised to get back to the Mayor with proposals sometime early next year.

Present at the meeting were David Spaulding, President of a local internet company, Nancy Rea of the haverhill Public Library, Pamela Carr director of the city’s Information Technology Department, Mayor Fiorentini, and vendors from other companies interested in providing internet access.

“I learned a great deal at this session,” said Fiorentini. “While no decision has been made on Wifi access, we are interested in exploring this further. What is more important is the means of meeting with residents and obtaining input.”

Fiorentini said his next session would be in January on new trends and ideas for zoning.