A.
Each franchisee shall state in its proposal to enter
into an agreement for the award of a franchise hereunder its initial
monthly rates, installation charges and all other charges including,
but not limited to, equipment fees, late fees and other administrative
charges, if any.
B.
The franchisee shall give subscribers at least 30
days' notice of its intention to change monthly rates, equipment charges
and installation charges by mailing notices thereof to each of the
current subscribers to whom such charges will apply. The franchisee
shall give the Township Manager or his designee 45 days' advance notice
of any rate change together with date required by the Cable Act as
necessary to justify such increase.
C.
The franchisee shall not, as to rates, charges, services
or facilities, make or grant any undue privilege or advantage to any
party nor subject any party to undue prejudice or disadvantage, provided
that the franchisee may establish reasonable classifications of customers.
Nothing in this chapter prohibits the reduction or waiver of charges
in connection with temporary promotional campaigns, provided that
the same waivers are provided to all similarly situated customers,
or providing a senior citizen discount.
A.
The township shall have the option and the right to
regulate all rates and charges, except to the extent it is prohibited
from doing so by law, and in the event that the township exercises
such option, no rate or charge may be imposed without the approval
of the township, except such rates and charges that the township is
prohibited from regulating. In the event that the township exercises
such option, any change made without approval is an illegal change
and a franchisee is prohibited from requesting or requiring a subscriber
to pay an illegal rate as a condition of providing service.
B.
All rates that are subject to regulation by the township
must be reasonable. The township may adopt such regulations, procedures
and standards as it deems necessary to implement rate regulation and
may regulate rates by amendment to this chapter, by a separate resolution
or ordinance, by amendment to a franchise agreement or in any other
lawful manner.
