City Working on Deal to Bring Verizon to Medford

A framework is in place that would allow a Verizon franchise for cable and internet in Medford, Mayor Michael McGlynn said Monday.

The two sides have reached an agreement and will be in touch with the state later this week, McGlynn said.

"Attorneys for the city and Verizon, at some time this week, will follow up with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and ask what procedure we have to follow to accomplish that," McGlynn said.

In 2009, Verizon had plans to expand to Medford. They ran wires through 70 percent of the city, but abruptly left after the company made a corporate decision to stop expansion in Massachusetts, McGlynn said.

"It was never a situation wher we did not want Verizon," McGlynn said. "They made a corporate decision but now have worked with us to make sure we get Verizon in here."

During his State of the City speech on Oct. 18, McGlynn said since December in an effort to get a deal done and has heard from many citizens who believed the city was responsible for the company not having a presence in Medford.

"The happiest day of my life will be when Verizon comes to Medford," McGlynn said.