CONWAY — Computer work enabled Robert A. Armstrong Jr. to move to Conway 36 years ago.
Then, around 2005, a group of “computer activists” formed WiredWest out of concern about the lack of broadband in western Massachusetts. Eleven years later, high-speed Internet access is still an issue for Conway. Armstrong now serves as Conway’s representative to WiredWest, which advocates for regional community-owned, fiber-to-the-home network for Internet.
This is where Armstrong believes he can apply his skills and experience as a Selectboard member. He faces opposition from Gerald L. Levitre for a three-year seat in Thursday’s election. Selectboard member Jim Moore is not running for re-election. Polls will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Conway Town Hall.
Armstrong chaired the reformed Conway Broadband Committee, which renegotiated the town’s Comcast franchise agreement, which allowed the town to join Frontier Community Access Television. Armstrong now serves as president of FCAT’s board of directors.
“With WiredWest, a group of us partially-served cable towns have been able to negotiate with the state a $5 million broadband extension that, with funding from Comcast, will extend our network to cover almost everyone in town,” Armstrong said in a statement.
He told The Recorder it is likely to cover more than 98 percent of Conway residents.
After moving to Conway, Armstrong worked from home for many years, designing computers and software for Digital Equipment Corporation. In the 1990s, he also helped Conway Grammar School teachers with the school’s new computer lab.
Armstrong eventually went back to school to earn a teaching degree and a year ago he retired as a math teacher at Holyoke High School.
He said he is against the proposed, though suspended, pipeline project, and he supports the idea of building a solar farm in Conway.
“Conway is blessed to have a number of people in town who sell solar systems,” he said. “And they are trusted people.”