Select Board — February 28, 2006 — Minutes

Source page 1

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
February 28, 2006
Salah Meeting Room

Present: Robert E. Burr, Jr., Chairman, Victor D. Del Vecchio, Vice-Chairman, Avril T. Elkort,
Member; Gerald A. Salvatori, Jr., Member, William T. Friel, Town Administrator, Judy Nelson,
Administrative Secretary.

Location: Salah Room, Memorial Hall

Meeting is called to order at 7:08 p.m.

Chairman Burr noted that Mr. Connolly was unable to attend due to a family commitment this
evening. Mrs. Elkort will fill in for Mr. Connolly as Clerk this evening.

Mrs. Elkort asked that we observe a Moment of Silence for retired Police Chief Dan Keleher who
passed away. Mrs. Elkort noted he was a long-time dedicated employee of the Town for over
forty years. As a sign of respect our flag will be flown at half mast and officers should wear a
black mourning ribbon on their badges. She asked that we keep Chief Daniel C. Keleher and his
family in our thoughts and prayers.

Public Hearing: This hearing is to discuss the New and renewal Cable Franchise Agreement
process as well as to receive public comment, concerns and or complaints regarding current
service and or what should be franchise requirements for any video provider in town:
James Simms, Chairman, Cable Advisory Committee; Peter Epstein, Esquire

Chairman Burr read the following statement: Tonight's Hearing is designed to elicit comments
and testimony regarding cable television services in the Town of Canton. The Board of
Selectmen, as statutory Issuing Authority, encouraged people in the audience to share their
thoughts and ideas on this subject. Mr. Burr noted that viewers at home and other citizens can
similarly share their ideas by writing or e-mailing the Board of Selectmen at the Town Hall.

He noted before we started a little procedural background might help: First, the current Comcast
Cable Television License expires on 09-30-08. Pursuant to State and Federal Law, the Comcast
renewal process starts by Comcast notifying the Town of its intention to seek renewal of its
license to operate in Canton. That Notice must be received anytime between 09-30-05 and 03-29-
06. So, the Town and Comcast are just starting the renewal process. The Board of Selectmen
plans to conduct a so-called formal Ascertainment Hearings in late 2006 and 2007. I want to
emphasize that tonight's Hearing is not an Ascertainment Hearing.

Secondly, the Board of Selectmen has initiated a state-mandated process to license additional
cable operators in Canton. Such operators, in effect, would compete against Comcast for
customers in Canton; they would not replace Comcast. Pursuant to state regulations, the
Selectmen placed a Notice in the local newspaper the week of January 25, 2006, seeking
Applications for a cable television license in Canton. Applications from interested parties are due
the week of March 15, 2006.

So, with that short introduction, we can proceed with tonight's Hearing. The Selectmen anybody
in the audience to step forward, state your name and address, and share your thoughts and ideas
with us about the cable television services in Canton.

Mrs. Elkort read the Public Notice as it appeared in the Patriot Ledger on 02-13-06 and 02-20-06.