[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 1]
For the purpose of this Ordinance the terms defined shall have the meanings indicated:
ACT or CABLE TELEVISION ACT
Means that statute of the State of New Jersey relating to cable television, known as the Cable Television Act, N.J.S.A. 48:5A-1 et seq.
APPLICATION
Means Cablevision's application for Renewal of Municipal Consent, which application is on file in the Township Clerk's office and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof, except as modified, changed, limited or altered by this Ordinance.
BOARD
Means the Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey or its successor agency.
COMPANY
Means CSC TKR, LLC d/b/a Cablevision of Raritan Valley ("Cablevision") the grantee of rights under this Ordinance.
FCC
Means the Federal Communications Commission.
FEDERAL ACT
Means that Federal statute relating to cable communications commonly known as the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, 47 U.S.C. Section 521 et seq. and the Telecommunications Act of 1996, or as those statutes may be amended.
FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Means those Federal regulations relating to cable television services, 47 C.F.R. Section 76.1 et seq. (and, to the extent applicable, any other Federal rules and regulations relating to cable television, including but not limited to, those described in 47 C.F.R. Section 76.3), or as such regulations may be amended.
STANDARD INSTALLATION
Means the installation of drop cable to a customer's premises where the distance from the point of entry into the building being served is less than one hundred fifty (150) feet from the active cable television system plant.
STATE
Means the State of New Jersey.
STATE REGULATIONS
Means those regulations of the State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities relating to cable television. N.J.A.C. 14:17-1.1 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 14:18-1 et seq., or as such regulations may be amended.
TOWNSHIP
Means the Governing Body of the Township of Edison in the County of Middlesex, and the State of New Jersey.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 2]
A public hearing concerning the consent herein granted to Cablevision was held after proper public notice pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Act. Said hearing having been held and fully open to the public, and the municipality having received all comments regarding the qualifications of Cablevision to receive this consent, the Township hereby finds Cablevision possesses the necessary legal, technical, character, financial and other qualifications to support municipal consent, and that Cablevision's operating and construction arrangements are adequate and feasible.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 3]
The Township hereby grants to Cablevision its non-exclusive consent to place in, upon, along, across, above, over, and under its highways, streets, alleys, sidewalks, public ways, and public places in the municipality poles, wires, cables, and fixtures necessary for the maintenance and operation in the Township of a cable television system, and for the provision of any communication service over the such system as may be authorized by Federal or State regulatory agencies. Operation and construction, pursuant to said consent, is conditioned upon prior approval of the Board of Public Utilities.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 4]
This consent granted herein shall be non-exclusive and shall be for a term of fifteen (15) years from the date of issuance of a Certificate of Approval by the Board.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 5]
If Cablevision seeks a renewal of the consent provided herein, it shall, prior to the expiration of this consent, apply for a municipal consent and Certificate of Approval in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-16, and applicable State and Federal rules and regulations. The Company shall also petition the Board for approval authorizing continued operation during the period following expiration of the consent granted herein, and until such a time that a decision is made by the Township and the Board relative to the renewal of said consent.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 6]
The consent granted under this Ordinance to Cablevision shall apply to the entirety of the Township and any property hereafter annexed.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 7]
Cablevision shall be required to proffer video programming service along any public right-of-way to any person's residence within the portion of the Franchise territory, as described in the Application for Municipal Consent, at Cablevision's schedule of rates for standard and nonstandard installation.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 8]
Cablevision shall extend service along any public right-of-way outside its primary service to those residences within the franchise territory which are located in areas that have a residential density of twenty-five (25) homes per mile or greater, or areas with less than twenty-five (25) homes per mile where residents agree to share the costs of such extension in accordance with the line extension formula as provided by the Company in its Application for Municipal Consent.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 9]
Cablevision shall pay to the Township, an annual franchise fee, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-30, provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to permit the Township to require payment of a franchise fee by Cablevision that is higher than the fee paid by all other cable television service providers offering service in the Township.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 10]
Cablevision shall, upon request, provide free of charge, one (1) standard installation and monthly cable television reception service to all State or locally accredited public elementary and secondary schools and all municipal public libraries, as well as municipal buildings located within the Township.
Upon written request from the Township, the Company shall provide to State and locally accredited elementary and secondary schools and municipal public libraries in the Township, without charge, the following: (1) one standard installation per school or library; (2) one cable modem per installation; and, (3) basic cable modem service for the term of this Ordinance for each installation. This offer shall be subject to the terms, conditions and use policies of the Company, as those policies may exist from time to time.
Upon written request from the Township, the Company shall provide to Edison Town Hall, without charge, the following: (1) one standard installation; (2) one cable modem; and (3) basic cable modem service for the term of this Ordinance. This offer shall be subject to the terms, conditions and use policies of the Company as those policies may exist from time to time.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 11]
Cablevision shall perform construction and installation of its plant and facilities in accordance with applicable State and Federal law. The Company shall be subject to the following additional construction requirements with respect to the installation of its plant and facilities in the Township:
a. 
In the event that the Company or its agents shall disturb any pavement, street surfaces, sidewalks, driveways or other surfaces, the Company shall at its sole cost and expense restore and replace such disturbances in as good a condition as existed prior to the commencement of said work, as determined by the Township's Engineer under the Township's generally applicable laws, rules and regulations.
b. 
If at any time during the period of this consent, the Township shall alter or change the grade of any street, alley or other way or place, the Company, upon reasonable notice by the Township shall remove or relocate its equipment, at its own expense.
c. 
Upon request of a person holding a building or moving permit issued by the Township, the Company shall temporarily move or remove appropriate parts of its facilities so as to permit the moving or erection of buildings or for the performance of other work. The expense of any such temporary removal or relocation shall be paid in advance to the Company by the person requesting the same. In such cases, the Company shall be given not less than fourteen (14) days prior written notice in order to arrange for the changes required.
d. 
During the exercise of its rights and privileges under this consent, the Company shall have the authority to trim trees upon and overhanging streets, alleys, sidewalks and public places of the Township, at its sole cost and expense, so as to prevent the branches of such trees from coming in contact with the wires, cables, conduits and fixtures of the Company. Such trimming shall be only to the extent necessary to maintain proper clearance for the Company's facilities.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 13]
Cablevision shall establish and maintain during the entire term of this consent a local area business office or agent for the purpose of receiving, investigating and resolving complaints regarding the quality of service, equipment malfunctions and similar matters. Said office shall be open daily during normal business hours, and in no event less than 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of holidays.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 14]
The Office of Cable Television is hereby designated as the complaint officer for the Township pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 48:5A-26. All complaints shall be reviewed and processed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.5.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 15]
Cablevision agrees to maintain and keep in force and effect at its sole cost and expense, at all times during the term of this consent, sufficient liability insurance naming the Township as an additional insured and insuring against loss by any such claim, suit, judgment, execution or demand in the minimum amounts of five hundred thousand ($500,000.00) dollars for bodily injury or death to one person, and one million ($1,000,000.00) dollars for bodily injury or death resulting from any one accident or occurrence stemming from or arising out of the Company's exercise of its rights hereunder.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 16]
Cablevision shall obtain and maintain, at its sole cost and expense, during the entire term of this Ordinance, a bond in form acceptable to the Township in the amount of twenty-five thousand ($25,000.00) dollars. Such bond shall be to insure the faithful performance of its obligations as provided in this franchise.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 17]
a. 
The rates of the Company for cable television services shall be subject to regulation to the extent permitted by Federal and State law.
b. 
Cablevision shall implement a senior citizen discount in the amount of ten (10%) percent off the monthly rate of the broadcast basic level of cable television reception service to any person sixty-two (62) years of age or older who subscribes to the Company's cable television service, subject to the following:
1. 
Such discount shall only be available to eligible senior citizens who do not share the subscription with more than one person in the same household who is less than sixty-two (62) years of age; and,
2. 
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-11.2, subscribers seeking eligibility for the discount must meet the income and residence requirements of the Pharmaceutical Assistance to Aged and Disabled (PAAD) program in the State pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:4D-21; and
3. 
The senior citizen discount herein relates only to the broadcast basic level of cable television service, and shall not apply to any subscribers receiving service under a bulk arrangement, or to any additional service, feature, or equipment offered by the Company, including premium channel services and pay-per-view services; and
4. 
Senior citizens who subscribe to a level of cable television service beyond expanded basic service, including any premium or per channel a la carte service, shall not be eligible for the discount.
c. 
The Company shall have no further obligation to provide the senior discount herein in the event that (a) the Company converts the municipal consent granted herein to a system-wide franchise in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-25.1; upon Board approval of a certification that another cable television service provider offering services to residents of the Township files, in accordance to N.J.S.A. 48:5A-30(d), that it is capable of serving sixty (60%) percent or more of the households within the Township. In the event that the Company does cease providing the senior discount pursuant to this provision, it shall comply with all notice requirements and applicable law.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 18]
Cablevision shall be required to have the capability to override the audio portion of the system in order to permit the broadcasting of emergency messages by the Township pursuant to State and Federal requirements. The Company shall in no way be held liable for any injury suffered by the Township or any other person, during an emergency, if for any reason the municipality is unable to make full use of the cable television system as contemplated herein. The Township shall utilize the State-approved procedures for such emergency uses.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 19]
In the event that the service of another multi-channel video program provider not subject to the Township's regulatory authority within the Township creates a significant competitive disadvantage to Cablevision, the Company shall have the right to request from the Township lawful amendments to its franchise that relieve it of the burdens which create the unfair competitive situation. Should the Company seek such amendments to its franchise, the parties agree to negotiate in good-faith appropriate changes to its franchise in order to relieve the Company of such competitive disadvantages. If the parties can reach an agreement on such terms, the Township agrees to support the Company's petition to the Board for modification of the consent in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7.
If the parties are unable to reach an agreement on appropriate amendments to this franchise, the Township acknowledges that the Company shall have the right to petition the Board directly for such amendments in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7; provided, however, the Township shall be under no obligation to support Cablevision's request for such relief from the Board.
In any subsequent municipal consent, the Township shall require, at a minimum, the same terms and conditions of any other provider of multi-channel video programming subject to the Township's regulatory authority as those contained in the instant consent. In the event such subsequent consent does not contain the same terms and conditions as the instant consent, Township agrees to support the Company's petition to the Board for modification of the consent in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7 to relieve the Company of competitive disadvantages identified in the Company's petition.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 20]
Upon expiration, termination or revocation of this Ordinance, Cablevision at its sole cost and expense and upon direction of the Board, shall remove the cables and appurtenant devices constructed or maintained in connection with the services authorized herein, unless Cablevision, its affiliated entities or assignees should, within six (6) months after such expiration, termination or revocation obtain certification from the FCC to operate an open video system or any other Federal or State certification to provide telecommunications.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 21]
a. 
Cablevision shall continue to make available two (2) non-commercial public, educational and governmental (PEG) access channels as described in the Application for Municipal Consent. All Cablevision support for PEG access shall be for the exclusive benefit of Cablevision's subscribers.
b. 
The Township agrees that Cablevision shall retain the right to use the PEG access channel, or portion thereof, for non-PEG access programming, during times when the Township is not utilizing the channel for purposes of providing PEG access programming. In the event that the Company uses said PEG access channel for the presentation of such other programming, the PEG programming shall remain the priority use and the Company's rights with respect to using the channel for non-PEG programming shall be subordinate to the Township's provision of PEG access programming on such channel.
c. 
Cablevision shall have discretion to determine the format and method of transmission of the PEG access programming provided for in this Section 28-21.
d. 
Cablevision shall continue to provide and maintain one (1) fiber access return line each at the Township Building, 100 Municipal Boulevard and, the Education Center, 312 Pierson Avenue for use by the Township in the production of non-commercial educational and governmental access programming on the cable system. Cablevision shall have discretion to determine the format and method of transmission of the PEG access programming provided for in this Section 28-21.
e. 
In consideration for the rights granted in this Ordinance, the Company shall provide the Township with an initial grant in the amount of forty thousand ($40,000.00) dollars (the "Initial Grant"). The Initial Grant shall be paid within ninety (90) days following the grant of the Certificate of Approval from the Board. In addition, beginning in the second year of this municipal consent and annually thereafter through the fifteen (15) year term of this franchise, Cablevision shall, upon annual written request, pay a grant to the Township in the amount of ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars per year (the "Annual Grant"). The total amount of all grants under this Section 28-21e shall not to exceed one hundred eighty thousand ($180,000) dollars over the term of this franchise. Cablevision shall not be obligated to make any additional payments beyond year fifteen (15) of this franchise. The Annual Grant shall be payable to the Township within sixty (60) days from receipt of the Township's written request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, should Cablevision apply for a system-wide certification or otherwise convert its municipal consent to a system-wide certification in accordance with applicable law, it shall be relieved of any payments due and owing after the date of such conversion or award of a system-wide franchise.
f. 
The Township agrees that the Initial Grant and the Annual Grant provided pursuant to paragraph e, shall be used for any cable and/or other telecommunications related capital purpose and/or for the exclusive support of PEG access programming, such as the purchase and/or rental of PEG access equipment and facilities. On request, the Township shall provide Cablevision with a certification of compliance with this Section 28-21e.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 22]
All of the commitments contained in the Application and any amendment thereto submitted in writing to the Township by the Company except as modified herein, are binding upon Cablevision as terms and conditions of this consent. The Application and any other written amendments thereto submitted by Cablevision in connection with this consent are incorporated in this Ordinance by reference and made a part hereof, except as specifically modified, changed, limited, or altered by this Ordinance, or to the extent that they conflict with State or Federal law.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 23]
This consent shall be construed in a manner consistent with all applicable Federal, State and local laws; as such laws, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 24]
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion thereof.
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 25]
Notices required under this Ordinance shall in writing and shall be mailed, first class, postage prepaid, to the addresses below. Either party may change the place where notice is to be given by providing such change in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the time such change becomes effective. The time to respond to notices under this Ordinance shall run from receipt of such written notice.
Notices to the Company shall be mailed to:
Cablevision Systems Corporation
111 Stewart Avenue
Bethpage, NY 11714
Attention: Vice President for Government/Public Affairs, New Jersey
With a copy to:
CSC TKR, LLC, d/b/a Cablevision of Raritan Valley
1111 Stewart Avenue
Bethpage, NY 11714
Attention: Legal Department
Notices to the Township shall be mailed to:
Township of Edison
100 Municipal Boulevard
Edison, New Jersey 08817
Attention: Township Administrator
[Ord. No. O.1883-2014§ 26]
This Ordinance shall take effect upon issuance of a Certificate of Approval as issued by the Board of Public Utilities that incorporates the material terms of this Ordinance. Nothing herein shall alter the right of the Company to seek modification of this Ordinance in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-25.1, the terms of this Ordinance will no longer be in effect upon Cablevision converting the municipal consent (and any certificate of approval) into a system-wide franchise.