News Details (Posted: January 25, 2008):

Grafton Officials Seek Citizen Input on Cable TV License

Full Description:

Grafton Officials Seek Citizen Input For Verizon Cable Television Licensing at February 13th Meeting

GRAFTON: As an important next step in the cable television licensing process with Verizon New England, Inc., Grafton town officials want citizens to have an opportunity to discuss what they would like to see in the newly proposed cable television service. The Grafton Cable Advisory Committee has scheduled a public outreach meeting for Wednesday evening, February 13th at 7:00 PM and encourages Grafton residents to make suggestions and provide public input on the proposed cable television license. The meeting will be held in Conference Room A at the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, 30 Providence Road.

The town must file a document, known as the Issuing Authority Report (IAR) as the next step of the licensing process with Verizon before March 20th. Citizen participation is part of compiling this report. At the February 13th meeting discussion can be on any topic, and might include citizen input on the length of the license agreement, the potential need for more broadcasts of town government meetings, continued funding for public, government and educational access channels, and senior citizen discounts. Those individuals and organizations who have previously made use of the PEG cable access services of Grafton Community Television are encouraged to come to the meeting and provide testimony.

"There has been much interest in having a second cable television franchise available in Grafton,” according to Cable Advisory Committee Chairman Robert Hassinger. “We hope that citizens will be equally interested in participating and discussing what they would like to see negotiated in this cable television license with Verizon. The Cable Advisory Committee wants to give Grafton residents an opportunity to make suggestions and provide input as the town prepares to deliver its Issuing Authority Report in response to Verizon’s cable television license application."

The February 13th meeting is open to all residents of Grafton. Members of the Cable Advisory Committee will be available at the public meeting to answer questions. In addition, the Cable Advisory Committee will accept citizen input in writing on the Verizon cable license until Friday, February 22nd via mail c/o Cable Advisory Committee, Grafton Municipal Center, 30 Providence Road, Grafton, MA. 01519.