Cablevision Input Needed ASAP in Bedminster

Faced with making a decision as to whether to extend Cablevision of Raritan Valley's franchise by the end of this year, and under what terms, township officials are asking residents to log their input with the township as soon as possible.

"I'd really like to get this information out to the thousands of Cablevision customers in The Hills who, like me, have many questions about cable TV," said Bedminster Township Committeewoman Carolyn Freeman, who is coordinating the renewal of Cablevision's franchise on behalf of the Township Committee.

She said the goal is to obtain input from as many Bedminster customers as possible so that the township can work out the best possible franchise agreement to serve the town.

The agreement runs out at the end of the year with Cablevision of Raritan Valley, which serves The Hills area of Bedminster Township, she said.

Following Monday's Township Committee meeting, Township Administrator Judy Sullivan said that residents should give their input as soon as possible.

Freeman said that along with complaints filed with Cablevision in the future, residents should also contact Sullivan with that information, or other input.  Sullivan can be reached at 908-212-7000, ext. 401, or at jsullivan@bedminster.us.

No public hearing date set yet

The township is required to hold public hearings before issuing an ordinance granting renewal of municipal consent or passing a resolution denying renewal according to state law, Freeman said. However, no hearing date has yet been set, township officials said on Monday.

On Tuesday, Freeman said Cablevision has requested a 15-year term, but told the township they will accept a 10-year franchise renewal.

According to The NJ Board of Public Utilities Guide to Franchise Renewal, "The maximum franchise term allowed in the state is 15 years with a possibility of an automatic renewal term for an additional 10 years." The same guide said that a franchise term of 10 years is not unusual, and there have been renvewals in the state for less than 10 years, she added.

Freeman said she has been reviewing the state and federal regulations pertaining to renewal and have been conferring with the municipal attorney, John Belardo, and Cablevision's Director of Government Affairs, Don Viapree. Viapree also attended the July 15 Township committee meeting.

Freeman said she is exploring such issues as complaints and reasons for cost, availability of a government access channel, major terms of franchise, and why Verizon Fios is available only in a limited area of the township near Bernards. 

Part of Bedminster, outside of The Hills, is served by Comcast, she noted.

Freeman said she had sent Belardo and Viapree a list of questions that included everything she felt that she, as a consumer and municipal official, wanted to know about cable television, but did not find in the statutes and regulations. 

Belardo was to resume his review of an ordinance regarding a renewal, according to the July agenda.