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Board of Selectmen Meeting <br /> May 14, 1996 <br /> The meeting was convened at 6:06 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, <br /> Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Vice Chairman George Hines, <br /> Secretary Camille Anthony, Selectman Bruce MacDonald arrived at 6:11 p.m. Present also were <br /> Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of interested parties: Michael Longo, <br /> Kevin Kirwin, Richard Cohen, James Guarente, Peter Epstein, Brendan Hoyt, Jr., Thomas <br /> Fennelly, Bill Brown. <br /> Town Manager's Report <br /> On motion by Anthony seconded by Hines, the Board voted to approve a Proclamation for the <br /> VFW Poppy Week for the week of May 20 - 25, 1996. The motion was approved by a vote of <br /> 3-0-0. <br /> Discussion/Action Items <br /> Review Cable TV License Renewal Options - Peter Epstein, Special Counsel for Cable <br /> Television, was present. He reviewed the renewal process. He noted that in accordance with the <br /> formal process, by this Fall the RFP should be put together and sent to Continental Cable. They <br /> have four to eight weeks to respond, and then three weeks to negotiate. The RFP must go to <br /> Continental Cable by January 1, 1997. They would have until March 1, 1997, to respond. <br /> { Negotiations would have to be finished by July 1, 1997. <br /> -- George Hines asked if there were disadvantages to the formal process. It was noted that there is <br /> more work in developing the ascertainment and preparing the formal RFP. A cable TV operator <br /> will look at the ascertainment process more closely. The Town will get detailed financial <br /> statements. The operator will be US West not Continental Cable. US West is not a traditional <br /> cable TV company - it's a telephone company. Epstein recommended starting now. Camille <br /> Anthony asked if we should have done the formal process initially, and Epstein said that either <br /> option was acceptable. MacDonald noted that it sounds like this does not preclude the informal <br /> process - you can have negotiations. MacDonald asked about the content - issues of local <br /> programming, local office, and upgrade of equipment are negotiable. Richard Cohen asked what <br /> happens in the formal process if you don't get agreement within four months. Epstein noted that <br /> you either come to a conclusion, or issue a preliminary assessment of denial. The time frame <br /> could be extended. If the extension is not granted, then the preliminary assessment of denial is <br /> issued and then there is an administrative proceeding to consider the denial. There is a local <br /> administrative hearing. If at that hearing the Board of Selectmen reiterates the denial, then <br /> Continental Cable could go to court. Camille Anthony asked what happens if you go to court. <br /> Epstein noted that Continental Cable will be disputing the reasons for denial. Since these are <br /> State regulations that the Town is enforcing, the appeal could go to Mass Cable Commission. <br /> MacDonald asked about the administrative review, who is it that reviews. Epstein noted that it <br /> would be either the Board of Selectmen, or someone that the Board of Selectmen may designate. <br /> George Hines asked how the Cable TV Advisory Committee feels. Richard Cohen noted that <br /> - they recommend the formal process. They didn't get Continental Cable's proposal for a long time. <br />