Mahwah
April 20, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 9
Township council opposes cable TV legislation
by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Township Council has passed a resolution that opposes companion bills in the New Jersey Assembly and Senate that would limit the obligation of a cable company to provide cable and Internet connections to municipal buildings. The Mahwah Council maintains that the legislation, known as the “Market Competition and Consumer Choice Act,” would fundamentally alter the regulation of telephone and cable television service in New Jersey. Those changes, the council said, are so sweeping that the legislation deserves deliberate review and analysis and must not be fast-tracked. Currently, all municipal buildings are eligible for cable television benefits, but these bills would limit the obligation to just one municipal building. According to the resolution, the legislation would also eliminate the requirement that cable companies provide basic service and Internet to municipal buildings and schools at no charge, and it would not require the cable companies to provide a return feed to allow cable-casting to live municipal events and meetings. In addition, the legislation would reduce the franchise fee payable by certain cable companies that have converted from a traditional franchise to a system-wide franchise, and it would not require cable companies to meet or surpass any existing line extension policy, or meet any applicable consumer protection requirements, all of which are required by the current law. The resolution states the proposed verification process for determining whether a company operating in a “competitive franchise area” is inadequate and it demands that the proposed process for renewal of a system-wide franchise must be corrected to require that the renewal be under the same terms and conditions as the original franchise. In addition, the resolution claims the legislation eliminates the right of a municipality operating under a municipal-consent based franchise to petition the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for a higher franchise fee. In the resolution, the township council strongly urges
the legislature to oppose the proposed legislation until certain amendments are made and there has been an opportunity for all stakeholders to fully analyze the impact of these proposals and determine the fiscal impact of the bill on municipalities throughout the state. Senate Bill S2664, with primary sponsors Raymond Lesniak (D-20 Union), Stephen Sweeney (D-3 Camden/ Gloucester), and Thomas Kean Jr. (R-21 Essex, Morris, Somerset, and Union), and six co-sponsors, was introduced in January. The bill was reported from the Senate Economic Growth Committee that month for a second reading. Assembly Bill A-3766, with primary sponsors Majority Leader Joseph Cryan (D-20 Union), Conference Leader Jon Bramnick (R-21 Essex, Morris, Somerset, and Union), Deputy Speaker John Burzichelli (D-3 Camden/Gloucester ), and Sheilay Oliver (D-34 Essex/Passaic), and 23 cosponsors, was introduced in February and was passed that month 66-7.
The Mahwah Spring 2011 Town-wide Cleanup will begin at 9 a.m. in Continental Soldiers Park on Saturday, April 30. The event, under the direction of the Mahwah Beautification Advisory Committee and the department of public works, will run until noon. All residents, businesses,
Town-wide cleanup campaign set
schools, community groups, and organizations are invited to participate. After the cleanup, a complimentary lunch will be provided for all participants. To volunteer, call Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio at (201) 934-8313.
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