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The Cable Television Advisory Committee is a permanent committee consisting of the following members:
Barry Blesser, 2006, David Johanson, 2005, Richard Pew, 2006, Gregory Poulos, 2006, Susan Timberlake, 2005,
Mark Carthy, 2007. Much of the progress we made through 2004 was the direct result of the hard work and dedication of outgoing chair, Richard Norris. Without Dick’s tireless efforts, we would not be where we are today.
This year, the Cable Television Advisory Committee’s major efforts were devoted to the mandated license renewal process, given the expiration of the existing Comcast license on October 1, 2004. October 1, 2001 marked the commencement of the 3-year license renewal process, pursuant to the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, Section 626. ~The Town has opted to proceed using the Section 626 “formal process”. In addition, we are conducting informal negotiations with Comcast in an attempt to conclude the renewal process.
One of the clauses within the US Cable Communications Act of 1984 is: “ to assure the cable systems are responsive to the needs and interests of the local community.” In order to find out what the needs are, the Town hired a consultant, Rika Welsh, to assist with aspects of the needs assessment and ascertainment. The Town conducted a survey of its residents, and received about 1000 responses. In January 2004, we had a series of community focus groups to survey the needs of the Town of Belmont. Over one hundred people representing approximately 60 organizations were involved. The results of the needs ascertainment produced a comprehensive understanding of the interests of the Town’s varied organizations, as well as its’ residents. Among the many findings, it became clear that PEG Access was important, the Senior
Citizens were in need of some discount, and customer service needed improvement.
During the formal process, the committee made extensive use of the full results of the needs assessment. In negotiations, it became clear that COMCAST was unwilling to meet the needs of the town’s government, organizations, and its citizens. During the summer of 2004, The Board of Selectmen issued a preliminary denial for franchise renewal.
At that point, the formal negotiations moved to a formal legal process. Comcast appealed the initial preliminary denial to the licensing authority in the early fall 2004. As of the end of 2004, Comcast and the Town are currently involved in legal proceedings for the appeal to The Board of Selectmen.
It is the committee’s belief that the Town of Belmont has very solid standing for denial of the franchise renewal, based on the needs of the town. The committee believes that if the Selectmen find the denial to be correct, based on the ascertainment, Comcast will most likely appeal to the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy. If Comcast is unsuccessful at this level, it will most likely appeal to a Federal District Court. If Comcast is unsuccessful there, it will most likely appeal to the US Supreme Court. It is also the committee’s belief that the cable operator will not stop the legal process until all legal avenues are exhausted. This could possibly be expensive, consuming major time and resources of the Town.
A major element of the new license will be how PEG (Public, Education, and Government) access facilities, and services are provided. ~Under the existing license, the cable operator staffs and runs the TV studio in the high school, broadcasting local programs over the Town’s community channels. ~Among the many the reasons for denial, Comcast has stated its’ intention to no longer run the local studio. This posed a major issue in the franchise renewal. The Town believed strongly enough in the local access studio, to begin the process of forming a separate Nonprofit 501 (c) 3 to run the TV studio.
Looking ahead in 2005, the committee expects a resolution to the ongoing franchise renewal with Comcast. In addition, the committee looks forward to pursuing a second cable franchise operator, such as RCN or Verizon. This serves the Town and its’ residents in many ways: in increased competition, (we see additional funding for the TV access studio), more choice for residents and lower prices or more value.
I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for the fine work of the entire Committee. ~Additionally, I would like to thank the Cable Access Committee, attorney Peter Epstein, Lee McCanne, Tim McCarthy, and staff of the Selectmen’s office, especially Joyce Munro and Mel Kleckner, for all of their help and support.
Respectfully submitted,
Gregory G. Poulos, Chairman
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