1996-01-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes

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Board of Selectmen Meeting January 2, 1996 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Vice Chairman George Hines, Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectmen Dan Ensminger, Bruce MacDonald, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Counsel Cheryl Blaine, Special Counsel Peter Epstein, Cable TV Committee Members Richard Cohen, Jim Guarente, and the following list of interested parties: Paul Feely, Nancy Eaton, Ann Greenwood, Franca Barrasso, Harold Hulse, Gloria Hulse, Kristin Gerhartz, Steven Ciccatelli, Esq., Ron Strandberg, Kenneth Brown, William Griset, Jr., Michael Hayes, Dorothy Hayes, Richard E. Bell, Jr., Donna Spelman, Mark Favalaro, Dana Hennigar, Ed Peduto, Kate Kaminer, Joe Connelly, Nelson Burbank. Continental Cable TV Negotiations Peter Epstein noted that with regard to the Cable TV process, the Town could use a formal or informal process. He recommends the formal process be pursued. He noted that some statements in Continental Cable's filings were inaccurate. He reviewed his memo of 1/2/96. Dan Ensminger asked how much teeth the last sentence has, and Peter Epstein noted that it did not have much teeth other than direction to negotiators. Sally Hoyt noted that the issues she has heard are: lack of response to customer complaints; program selection/quality of programs and rate increases. Dan Ensminger noted that we have no authority over program selection and rate increases. Epstein noted that the Town can exert authority over the lack of responsiveness. Bruce MacDonald noted that the local office is an issue. George Hines noted that the ball is in the Town's court with respect to a temporary restraining order. He would recommend that the Town take no action. Peter Epstein noted that he is not endorsing any option. One option is not to deny the license. One concern about taking no action is that you don't know what the court will direct. Taking no action keeps this issue within the jurisdiction of the court in some manner. Dan Ensminger asked how much time this would take in court. Peter Epstein noted that we would have to go back at least one or two times. An issue might also go to the State Cable TV Commission, but it might not. Option 1 is unpredictable. George Hines noted that the Town had renewed the license for 90 days. Continued authority to negotiate was given to the Town Manager and Counsel. The Board offered to meet with Continental Cable face to face.