This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Town Cable Communications Regulatory Code."
This chapter shall take effect and be in force from and after passage. All prior ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed.
A. 
The Mayor and Council finds that the further development of cable communications may result in great benefits for the people of the Town. Cable technology is rapidly changing, and cable plays an essential role as part of the Town's basic infrastructure. Cable television systems occupy and extensively make use of scarce and valuable public rights-of-way, in a manner different from the way in which the general public uses them, and in a manner reserved primarily for those who provide essential services to the public subject to special public interest obligations, such as utility companies. The Town finds that public convenience, safety and general welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory powers vested in the Town or such persons as the Town so designates to protect the public and to ensure that any franchise granted is operated in the public interest.
B. 
Further, it is recognized that cable systems have the capacity to provide not only entertainment and information services to the Town's residents but can provide a variety of broadband, interactive communications services to institutions and individuals.
C. 
In light of the foregoing, the following goals, among others, underlie the provisions set forth in this chapter:
(1) 
Cable service should be available to as many Town residents as possible.
(2) 
A cable system should be capable of accommodating both present and reasonably foreseeable future cable-related needs of the Town.
(3) 
A cable system should be constructed and maintained during a franchise term so that changes in technology may be integrated to the maximum extent possible into existing system facilities.
(4) 
A cable system should be responsive to the needs and interests of the local community and shall provide a diversity of information sources and service to the public.
(5) 
A cable operator should pay fair compensation to the Town for the use of local public rights-of-way.
D. 
All provisions set forth in this chapter shall be construed to serve the public interest and the foregoing public purposes, and any franchise issued pursuant to this chapter shall be construed to include the foregoing findings and public purposes as integral parts thereof.
The Town may delegate the performance of any act, duty or obligation, or the exercise of any power, under this chapter or any franchise agreement to any employee, officer, department or agency, except where prohibited by applicable law.