This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Westtown
Broadband and Telecommunications Ordinance of 2001."
The Township of Westtown finds that the development of broadband
systems has the potential of having a great benefit to and positive
impact on the people of Westtown. Because of the complex and rapidly
changing technologies associated with cable television and telecommunications
systems, the township also finds that public convenience, safety,
and general welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory
powers vested in the township or such persons as the township so designates.
Further, the township recognizes that broadband systems have the capacity
to provide not only entertainment and information services to township
residents but also a variety of broadband, interactive services to
township agencies and other institutions. For these purposes, the
following goals, among others, underlie the provisions set forth in
this chapter:
A. Cable services and telecommunications services should be available
to as many township residents as possible.
B. A broadband system authorized to provide cable and telecommunications
service should be capable of accommodating both the present and reasonably
foreseeable future cable- and telecommunications-related needs of
the community.
C. A broadband system should be constructed and maintained during the
franchise term so that new components may be integrated to the maximum
extent possible into existing system facilities.
D. A broadband system should be responsive to the needs and interests
of the local community. The township intends that all provisions set
forth in this chapter be construed to serve the public interest and
the foregoing public purposes, and that any franchise issued pursuant
to this chapter be construed to include the foregoing findings and
public purposes as integral parts thereof.