Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
BOS 08-19-08
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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.
Source page 2
He noted that for those reasons, the Cable Advisory Committee was recommending not to approve the license renewal. Mr. Epstein spoke on the renewal process that is required by both State and Federal Regulation Law. He noted that the Town was limited to a deadline of August 30, 2008 to respond to Comcast's renewal proposal. Since the Town and Comcast had not been able to come to an agreement, he recommended that that BOS make a motion to preliminarily deny the renewal proposal and issue a detailed statement of reasons for the denial. The statement of reasons should be sent to Comcast. He noted that after the preliminary assessment of denial was issued, Comcast would still continue to operate and honor the current license other than providing to Canton a Capital payment. Mr. Connolly noted that it was vitally important that Canton Community Television continue to operate as it is an important public service. Motion was made to issue a preliminary assessment of denial of Comcast of Massachusetts/New Hampshire LLC's cable television renewal proposal to the Town of Canton, dated April 30, 2008 and to issue a written statement of reasons, in accordance with 207 CMR 3.06(3), detailing the reasons for the preliminary assessment of denial. Motion: Mr. Salvatori Second: Ms. Elkort Vote: 4-0 Reynolds Street: Traffic Calming Measures: Tim McIntosh, VHB Mr. Del Vecchio rejoined the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Mr. Friel noted that the neighbors of Reynolds, Cotter and Vaughn Streets had requested a meeting with the Board of Selectmen to discuss possible traffic calming measures in the neighborhood to assist with the speed and volume of cars that enter and exit the Canton High School property and the recreation fields complex. Mr. Friel noted that VHB, traffic consulting firm, had done studies in the past and more recently focusing on speed and volume of Vehicles on Reynolds, Cotter and Vaughn Streets. He noted that the neighbors had met with Town officials, that Police had been patrolling the area to monitor the exit from the parking lot onto Reynolds Street as that was considered to be largely where the problems have been found. School staff had also been assisting by advising students of safety issues and the speed limit. He noted that there is a policy in place that if a student receives a ticket, they will loose their parking privileges.