HOLYOKE — A citizens’ petition for a ballot question on whether Holyoke and Gas Electric should conduct a feasibility study on residential fiber-optic internet service edged forward Wednesday, with the Charter and Rules Committee sending the matter to the full City Council.

If approved, the question will appear on the November ballot.

The petitioners “implored” HG&E to conduct a feasibility study on a gradual rollout. The findings of any study would undergo a review by the council by April 2022 or sooner.

Locust Street resident Laura Clampitt, who initiated the petition, thanked HG&E for their efforts in the city. She said the utility provides high-speed, fiber-optic service to commercial customers.

“These residents would love to purchase those services as well,” Clampitt said. “We would like to encourage HG&E to explore that option and present those findings in a public manner."

She called for a partial or gradual high-speed internet rollout using the existing commercial network.

“We’ve seen the figures for the full rollout, $20 million or so. We understand that’s not feasible at this time,” Clampitt said. “We would appreciate HG&E looking into doing a partial rollout.”

Suffolk Street resident Kenneth Lefebvre said HG&E has a “substantial network” that crosses the city, especially in high-density areas. While he noted costs are involved with wiring homes and hiring additional customer service staff, the utility already made a significant capital investment in the network.

He asked HG&E and the council to explore residential options for fiber-optic services, noting that residents stream video and operate home businesses.

Right now, Comcast is the sole internet provider for Holyoke residents. In 2014, the City of Holyoke renewed a 10-year cable and internet service contract with the company.

Lefebvre reminded the committee the question is nonbinding, with no enforcement mechanism in place.

James M. Lavelle, HG&E’s general manager, made a brief appearance before the committee.

Lavelle said he supports the concept of municipal telecommunication services, and explained that the city’s existing fiber-optic network does not rely on any tax revenue. “It’s entirely self-supporting,” he said, based on money accrued through the commercial operation.

Lavelle said HG&E is a “capital intensive” organization. He estimated a residential buildout would cost $30 million or more.

He said the utility completed a five-year capital investment in upgrading hydroelectric generating plants and substation infrastructure, which totaled $75 million.

"There’s no room for resources to do the buildout as was referenced,” Lavelle said. “We have been, for the last several months, looking at a gradual build to see if that would be viable. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.”

Lavelle added that HG&E continues to consult and gather data from local utilities on whether a municipal, high-speed network is feasible. He suggested a ballot question was unnecessary.

Lavelle added that HG&E must examine the capital and investment risks associated with a residential buildout, which eventually affects ratepayers. He expects a gradual buildout analysis by June 2020.

At-large City Councilor Rebecca Lisi said residents filed the petition as a way to “gauge the interest and support” for residential internet service. She added that past customer surveys conducted by HG&E were piecemeal.

“The petitioners are trying to help you to get a better or more holistic read of public support and sentiment the fiber network,” Lisi told Lavelle.

Lavelle replied that the survey data was “as good as you get” or about the same or better quality than the petitioners expect. HG&E does a customer survey every three years. “We will be updating that this current calendar year,” he said.

The petitioners want future surveys to extend beyond calling home phones numbers.

Ward 2 Councilor Terence Murphy, the committee chairman, said results from a ballot question would reflect the interest in high-speed services. “It’s a nonbinding question and three years out from reporting,” Murphy said.