Changes coming to cable TV, New Stoneham public access station in the works
Published on July 14th, 1999
STONEHAM , MA - Town leaders want to add another channel — and maybe a whole new public access operation — to community access television in Stoneham.
On Monday, July 12, Town Counsel Bill Solomon spoke with representatives of Media One Cable about the possibility of a nonprofit local group taking over Stoneham public access.
"Rather than have the cable company run the public access and government channel, we would have a nonprofit public access group," Solomon said.
Selectmen Darin Leahy likes the idea.
"A private, nonprofit group might do a better job," Leahy said.
Selectmen Patrick Jordan said the board has received complaints about Media One's meeting coverage.
At a minimum, Solomon said, Stoneham officials want a third channel added to public access to go along with the general and educational channels; the third channel would be a government channel, broadcasting news and information from Town Hall.
Media One is currently working with the board to implement the new government channel.
"This would create more interaction between the public and town government," Solomon said.
Under the current licensing agreement Media One runs a general public access channel for the town, and Stoneham High School runs an educational channel. Stoneham officials originally decided against an optional government channel.
The original licensing agreement also entitled Stoneham to $75,000 if another community took advantage of the Media One public access cable television studio. And Woburn has.
"We previously informed Media One we would eventually want the money," Solomon said. "But we wanted to have a plan for how to use it first."
With Media One running Stoneham public access television, the town does not have to worry about capital or operating costs.
If the town takes over under an amended or new license, then Stoneham will incur increased capital (equipment) and operating expenses, but the licensing agreement would provide for a means of funding.
Under a new agreement being hammered out by Stoneham and Media One, Media One would pay up to five percent of the gross revenue from the Stoneham cable system and an initial payment to help acquire necessary equipment to get started.
Solomon said the town is considering an early renewal of Media One's license, which is due April 5, 2002, under these new conditions.
Media One officials including Government Representative Tim Murnane, Solomon's direct contact, are at a conference until Thursday.
Solomon and the selectmen have consulted with Bob Hogan, who runs the education channel out of the high school, and Ruth Kennedy, Director of Community Television in Wilmington (also away at a conference), as well as other technology experts.
The board must figure out what they think is best for the town and then negotiate with Media One.
The issue has not yet been placed on the selectmen's agenda, but Solomon suggested that action is not far off.
"I think the selectmen are quite excited about getting more public access to town government," he said.
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