Government 
Community access now in town’s hands
By Kathryn Koch
Tue Oct 02, 2007, 02:42 PM EDT
Marshfield -The town will take over operation of local cable access television under the terms of a new 10-year contract with Comcast cable in a move that cable advisory committee members say will reinvigorate Marshfield’s local cable programming.
Marshfield’s Cable Advisory Committee and Boston attorney William Hewig announced to selectmen Monday night that they have agreed to terms with Comcast renewing their cable license agreement. The agreement dictates that Comcast will make an initial payment of $100,000 to the town within 35 days so the town-incorporated Marshfield Community Access Inc. can start operations.
“I think it’s going to be a lot better,” Hewig said. “It’s now going to be your programming, not Comcast programming.”
Cable advisory committee member Jim Hayden said the agreement signals the rebirth of community programming in Marshfield. He said the goal is to improve the quality of programming and make the community more aware of the opportunities they have to give voice to their concerns and opinions about issues of local interest.
“I think we can do a better job of getting the word out,” he said.
Hank Dannemann, chairman of the cable advisory committee, also recognized by selectmen as Person of the Week, said everyone on the committee had a hand in the negotiations.
“The committee has worked tirelessly for quite a while and has done a wonderful job,” he said.
Hayden said having control of local access programming also opens the door to more opportunities for students. He said Marshfield High School teacher Jason Soslow has been focusing on the education aspects of the agreement for the committee.
Comcast spokeswoman Lou Russo congratulated the town on the new agreement after two years of negotiations.
“We’re delighted that it’s resolved, and we think the content of the license agreement is fair to cable subscribers, the community and the company,” she said.
Selectmen Chairwoman Patti Epstein said it’s clear that cable advisory committee members put many hours in working through all the details to finalize an agreement.
“I’m just grateful this is finally done,” she said.
Now the selectmen have the job of finding replacements for themselves as members of the board of directors of Marshfield Community Access Inc. and adding new members. The selectmen are listed as incorporators and members for legal reasons. A board of five to nine members would be appointed on the advice of the cable advisory committee.
Members of the cable advisory committee are unable to serve on the corporation, Hewig said, due to the state’s conflict of interest laws, but can serve as advisers.
The new 10-year agreement went into effect Oct. 1. Marshfield Community Access Inc. will take over public, educational and governmental (PEG) programming Jan. 1. Cable advisory committee member Bill Clifford said time is of the essence as far as appointing members, who will in turn work on getting a manager in place and carrying out a startup plan.
“There’s a lot to do, but it’s really exciting,” Clifford said.
Hewig said the town could soon reach a similar agreement with Verizon when that company’s plans to expand into the local cable market are finalized.
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