BOS 08-19-08

Source page 1

Minutes
Board of Selectmen Meeting
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Memorial Hall - Salah Meeting Room
Present: John J. Connolly, Chairman, Avril T. Elkort, Vice-Chairman, Gerald A.
Salvatori Jr., Clerk, Robert E. Burr, Jr., Member, Victor D. Del Vecchio, Member,
William T. Friel, Town Administrator, Jennifer Andrews, Administrative Secretary
Meeting was called to order at 7:09 p.m.
Mr. Connolly requested a moment of silence for Beverly Foley, member of the Canton
Association of Industries. He noted that she had been very active in the Town and she
will be greatly missed.
Public Hearing: Comcast Cable License Renewal
Mr. Del Vecchio rescued himself from the public hearing.
Motion was made to open the public hearing to discuss the Comcast of
Massachusetts/New Hampshire LLC's cable television renewal proposal to the Town of
Canton.
Motion: Mr. Salvatori Second: Ms. Elkort Vote: 4-0
Mr. Friel informed the Board of Selectmen that the CAC and town personnel had held
several meetings with Comcast regarding the renewal of its current license but had been
unable to reach an agreement. He noted that Peter Epstein, Cable Counsel, Tanya
Willow, Canton Community Television, and Jim Sims, Cable Advisory Committee were
present at the meeting to report to the public.
Mr. Sims made a presentation to the Board on reasons why CAC was recommending
issuing a preliminary assessment of denial for the renewal of the Comcast license. He
noted that Canton had asked Comcast to renew the license under the existing terms with
no changes. He noted that under Comcast's proposal, the following items that are
currently being provided, would be eliminated: customer service station in Canton,
funding for equipment facilities for Canton Cable Television, cable casting from remote
locations, technical assistance, support for INET, and customer provisions and
protections.