(Ord. #95-01, § 10-1)
A. 
The Township of Plumsted hereby grants to Garden State Cablevision L.P., subject to the terms and provisions of this chapter, its consent to a nonexclusive franchise to place in, upon, along, across, above, over and under highways, streets, alleys, sidewalks, public ways and public places in the Township of Plumsted poles, wires, cables, underground conduits, manholes and other electronic conductors and fixtures necessary for the maintenance and operation in the Township of Plumsted of a cable television system and cable communications system.
B. 
Garden State Cablevision, L.P., (hereinafter designated as the "Company"), is hereby granted the use of the streets and alleys as are owned by the Township or in which the Township possesses an easement or right-of-way, but no such interest is granted with respect to such other public property as is owned by the Township, whether by easement, right-of-way, title in fee simple, leasehold or other interest.
C. 
The foregoing limitation, with respect to public property, other than streets and alleys, is and shall at all times be subject, nevertheless, to the specific negotiation between the Township and the Company as to the actual and exact locations of all appliances referred to in Subsection A above in, upon, across, above, under, over or otherwise affecting any Township easement, property or other interest in real estate, which right to negotiate the Township's governing body may, from time to time, waive as to items and matters said governing body may elect to specify.
D. 
The foregoing consent is and shall at all times be subject, also, to full and detailed compliance with the Plumsted Township Zoning Ordinance, Land Subdivision Ordinance, all other Township ordinances and resolutions and all rules, regulations, and laws of all applicable jurisdictions as to all aspects of locations, operations, maintenance and to every microwave or other receiver or transmitter, studio facilities, mobile equipment and vehicles, all other facilities, equipment, apparatus and the like incidental to the origination of programming, the sending or receiving of signals and offices, storage, power sources, power plant and the like to the extent not otherwise preempted.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-2)
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein. Such meanings or definitions of the terms are supplemental to those definitions of the Federal Communications Commission (47 C.F.R. 76.5) and the Cable Television Act, (N.J.S.A. 48:5A-1, et seq.) and shall in no way be construed to broaden, alter or conflict with the federal or state definitions.
ACT OR CABLE TELEVISION ACT
Chapter 186 of the General Laws of New Jersey, 1972 (N.J.S.A. 48:5A-1, et seq.)
BOARD
The Board of Public Utilities (B.P.U.)
COMPANY
The grantee of rights under this chapter and is known as Garden State Cablevision, L.P. d/b/a Garden State Cable TV.
CONTRACTEE
The municipality as said term, is used in § 10-18 of this chapter.
MUNICIPALITY
The Township of Plumsted, County of Ocean, and State of New Jersey.
OFFICE
The Office of Cable Television within the Board of Public Utilities.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-3)
A public hearing concerning the franchise herein granted to the Company was held after proper public notice pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Act. Said hearing having been held as above stated and said hearing having been fully open to the public and the Township having received at said hearing all comments regarding the qualifications of the Company and other applications to receive this franchise, the Township hereby finds that the Company possesses the necessary legal, technical, character, financial and other qualifications, and that the Company's operating and construction arrangements are adequate and feasible.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-4)
The consent herein granted shall expire ten (10) years from the date of expiration of the previous Certificate of Approval as issued by the B.P.U. The Company will upgrade the system to a 550 MHz fiber-coax system by October 1, 1998, unless delay is caused hereunder by strikes, boycotts, labor disputes, embargoes, shortage of material, act of God, acts of the public enemy, acts of superior governmental authority, weather conditions, riots, rebellion, sabotage, or any other like circumstances. In the event that the upgrade has not been completed by that date, the municipality may request that the Board determine if the franchise term or other conditions should be modified or revoked.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-5)
A. 
The consent granted herein shall be subject to renewal only after review of the performance of the Company and the adequacy of the terms of the consent herein granted in full public proceeding.
B. 
The Company shall be required to petition the Board for a certificate of approval authorizing continued operation during the period following expiration of the consent granted herein until such a time that a decision is made by the municipal governing body relative to the renewal of said consent.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-6)
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Act, the Company, shall, during each year of operation under the consent granted herein, pay to the Township two percent (2%) of the gross revenues from all recurring charges received by the Company from subscribers to its cable television reception service in the Township. In the event that the Act is amended or supplemented so as to allow a greater percentage of fees (excluding such additional percentages for which a municipality might presently apply upon formal hearing and as a result of factors warranting a greater franchise fee) or so as to broaden the extent of the premiums of which such fees are based, then the franchise fee shall be deemed amended so as to reflect such additional amounts or percentages after written notice to the Company. To the extent provided by law, the Board may where appropriate, inspect the books and records of the Company to confirm that the Company has complied with the law. The Municipality may initiate the request for inspection with the Board of Public Utilities, Office of Cable Television.
(Ord. § 95-01, § 10-7)
The consent granted herein to the Company shall apply to the entirety of the Township and any property hereafter annexed thereto.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-8)
A. 
The Company shall complete construction in one hundred percent (100%) of the Township's primary service area as depicted on the map accompanying said application, where a request for service is made.
B. 
Plumsted Township requires completion of the proposed upgrade to a 550 MHz capacity no later than the end of the third quarter of 1998. Fiber optics will be used in the upgrade which shall provide a minimum seventy-eight (78) channel capacity.
C. 
On request, the Company will provide the Township with a semi-annual written report on the status of the Plumsted rebuild/upgrade project beginning with the awarding of the COA and concluding with the completion of the project. The Township may require the Company to meet periodically with the Cable Advisory Committee and the Township Committee for the purpose of receiving updates on the status of the project and other cable related matters.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-9)
A. 
Restoration. In the event that the Company or its agents shall disturb any pavement, street surfaces, sidewalks, driveways, other utilities or existing landscaping, trees and other surfaces in the natural topography, the Company shall, at its sole expense, restore and replace such places or things so disturbed in as good condition as existed prior to the commencement of said work.
B. 
Relocation. If, at any time during the period of this consent, the Township shall alter or change the grade or alignment of any street, alley or other way or place, the Company, upon reasonable notice by the Township, shall remove, relay and relocate its equipment, at the Company's expense.
C. 
Temporary removal of cables. The Company shall temporarily raise, lower or remove its lines in order to facilitate the moving of buildings or machinery or in other like circumstances. The expense shall be borne and paid for not less than forty-eight (48) hours in advance by the party requesting such action, except when requested by and for the municipality, in which case the Company shall bear the cost.
D. 
Removal or trimming of trees. During the exercise of its rights and privileges under this franchise, the Company shall have the authority to trim trees upon and overhanging streets, alleys, sidewalks and public places of the Township so as to prevent the branches of such trees from coming in contact with the wires and cables of the Company. Such trimming shall be only to the extent necessary to maintain proper clearance for the Company's wires and cables. All work is to be in conformance with ANZI Standards, Z133.1, Tree Care Operations for Safety and the National Arborist Association Standards for Pruning and Removal. If the tree is privately owned, the Company must give reasonable notice to the owner and make every effort to satisfy his interest in the tree.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-10)
A. 
The Company shall be required to offer service to any person's residence located in those areas of the franchise territory described herein, in accordance with the proposal for the provision of services as described in the application and as subsequently agreed upon. Any additional extension of the system which is necessary in the future but not contemplated in the application shall be made in accordance with the line extension policy now or hereafter promulgated by the Office of Cable Television. All commercial areas within the municipality will be constructed on a cost basis pursuant to the Company's tariff. The Company will provide service to residences in existing presently wired commercial areas. Commercial areas which are currently not serviced and residential units located in those areas will be provided service based on the Company's tariffed commercial rates for installation and extension.
B. 
The Company shall provide the standard installation of one (1) outlet and basic monthly service to all accredited schools, whether public or private, libraries, and to Municipal Building free of charge. Each additional outlet installation shall be paid for by the institution on a cost-plus-labor basis.
C. 
The Company agrees to make available full service to all new developments on a timely basis in accordance with the Company's policies and procedures and the Company's and Office of Cable Television's line extension policy.
D. 
The Company shall incorporate the following streets into primary service areas as per the revised map: Hendrickson, Tower, Lovemen, Bukcalew and North Success Road. Homeowners on the aforementioned streets are required to pay customary standard or nonstandard installation fees.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-11)
A. 
During the terms of this franchise and any renewal thereof, the Company shall maintain a local business office, either within the Township or within the area of a local telephone call for residents thereof, for the purpose of receiving, investigating and resolving all complaints regarding the quality of service, equipment and malfunctions and similar matters. Such local business offices shall be open during normal business hours and in no event less than 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Saturday.
B. 
The Company shall at all times comply with the N.J.A.C. 14:3-1 et seq. with respect to the manner of receiving and handling customer complaints. The Company shall comply with other provisions of the Act and the regulations, as required by law.
C. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing and not by way of limiting or reducing the responsibilities of the Company, whenever there shall be an interruption in service attributable to the operation of the Company's system and no restoration of service for a period of six (6) or more continuous hours, whether or not said nonrestored period may span two (2) or more days, the Company shall reduce its monthly charge for service to the aggrieved subscriber by a pro rata credit for each day the interruption occurs when notified by the customer.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-12)
The Office of Cable Television is hereby designated as the complaint officer for the Township. All complaints shall be received and processed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.5.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-13)
During the period of the consent and prior to the initiation of construction, the Company shall give to the Township a bond in form and of surety to be approved by the Township in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.), which shall remain in effect during the entire life of the Company's cable television franchise consented to by this chapter in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-28d.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-14)
The Township, having determined the rates proposed in the application for cable television reception service are reasonable, approves them as presented, subject to review by the Board.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-15)
The Company shall be required to have the capability to override at the head end the audio portion of the system simultaneously on all channels in order to permit the broadcasting of emergency messages by the State Office of Emergency Management. The Company shall in no way be held liable for any injury suffered by the municipality or any person if for any reason the State Office of Emergency Management is unable to make full use of the cable television system as contemplated herein.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-16)
In the event that the Company seeks to assign the municipal consent granted herein, a copy of any such application and supporting documentation filed with the Office shall be simultaneously filed with the Township, and, upon request by the Township, representatives of both the Company and the Company to which it seeks to assign the franchise shall promptly meet and confer with the Township and will supply such further information as is appropriate, relative to said application for assignment. Final approval of such application shall be pursuant to N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.8.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-17)
A. 
The Company shall provide a public, educational and government and (PEG) access channel for shared use. The Company shall provide a site within reasonable proximity to the Township to originate taped programming. The Company shall provide shared use of a character generator on the PEG channel, including the possibility of remote access via telephone lines if feasible. A camcorder and microphone shall be provided by the Company and available at no charge for shared use in providing non-commercial community access programming.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-18)
A. 
In the event that the Township determines that it is necessary and feasible for it to contract with the Company for the purpose of providing other specialized services, then the Company shall be required to apply to the Board and the Federal Communications Commission for approval to enter into and establish the terms and conditions of such contract. All costs for such application to the Board and the Federal Communications Commission shall be borne by the contractee.
B. 
In the event that the Township determines that it is necessary and feasible for it to contract with the Company for the purposes of providing interconnection services, the Company shall be required to apply to the Board and the Federal Communications Commission for approval to enter into and establish the terms and conditions of such contract. All costs for such application to the Board and the Federal Communications Commission shall be borne by the contractee.
C. 
In the event that the Township determines that it is necessary and feasible for it to contract with the Company for the purpose of providing two-way service in addition to those in Subsection A above and except to the extent state regulations are preempted by the Federal Communications Commission, the Company shall be required to apply to the Board for approval to enter into and establish the terms and conditions of such contract. All costs for such application shall be borne by the contractee.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-19)
The Company shall hold and save the Township harmless from and indemnify and defend the Township against every claim, loss and liability of every kind arising in any and every way, directly and indirectly, immediately and consequently, except to the extent limited by state or federal law, from issuance of municipal consent and the operation of the company thereunder, all in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-28e. and f.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-20)
A. 
The Company agrees to maintain and keep in full force and effect at its sole expense at all times during the term of this consent sufficient liability insurance naming the Township as an insured and insuring against loss of any such claim, suit, judgment, execution or demand in the minimum amounts of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for bodily injury or death to one (1) person, one million dollars ($1,000,000) for bodily injury or death from any one (1) accident and two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for property damage resulting from any one (1) accident. It is a condition of this consent that the Company is, shall be and shall hold itself out as being an independent contractor and not an agent of the Township of Plumsted and defend, hold harmless and indemnify the Township against all claims arising out of its construction and operation of the franchise.
B. 
The Company shall assure that no such policy of insurance shall be cancelable without a minimum of ten (10) days notice to the Township. The Company shall deliver to the Township certificates of insurance immediately upon or prior to the effective date of such.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-21)
In the event of a change in law, the Company shall provide, where required, senior citizens discount rates and other services and or franchise fees in a manner in conformity with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-10b, throughout the Company's system.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-22)
The Company herein agrees to cooperate with the Township Cable Television Advisory Committee which will continue to exist to provide for the examination of the Township's cable television related needs and the response of the company to said needs. The Company also agrees to attend periodically, Cable Television Advisory Committee meetings on a mutually agreed upon date. On request the Company also agrees to attend one (1) public hearing each year on a mutually agreeable date before the Mayor and Committee where the public will be invited to attend to discuss their cable television related concerns with the Township and with the Company. The municipality shall be permitted to periodically inquire of the complaint officer the nature, number and status of the complaints against the Company. To the extent permitted by law, the municipality may obtain such reports and records from the complaint officer as may enable the municipality to assist in the resolution of these complaints. The municipality may obtain copies of all public record reports of the Company submitted to the Board of Public Utilities.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-23)
The Company shall provide copies of responses to complaints referred to the Office of Cable Television if the Township is listed as receiving a copy of the original letter.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-24)
All of the written commitments contained in the written application attached hereto, together with all other representations made by the Company, either in writing prior to the adoption of this chapter or at the public hearings, are to be binding upon the applicant as to the terms and conditions of this consent and are incorporated by reference herein, to the extent permitted by state or federal law, now or hereafter adopted. Failure of the Company to comply with the conditions in the aforesaid application, other commitments made by the applicant during the application process and recorded by the Township or the terms and conditions of this chapter may be considered as a default of this consent agreement. All complaints concerning such a default will be forwarded to the complaint officer specified in § 10-12 above. If necessary, the Township Committee may hold public hearings on this default, at which all interested parties shall have the right to be heard and may forward to the complaint officer their recommendation for resolution of the default.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-25)
It is understood that should any state or federal agency or body modify, change or alter any of its provisions with respect to cable television generally, such modifications, changes or alterations shall be incorporated into this consent consistent with the applicable law.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-26)
The Company shall be bound by all of the provisions of the initial franchise agreement, its applications for renewal of municipal consent and the commitments and representations made during the course of the renewal proceedings except to the extent that any such provisions are superseded by the provisions of this chapter or by any federal or state statute, rule or regulation.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-27)
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase or portion of this chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court or federal or state agency 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 portions thereof.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-28)
Since this chapter is legislative in nature, there shall be the codification of same in the General Ordinance Book of the Township of Plumsted.
(Ord. #95-01, § 10-29)
This chapter shall take effect upon its final passage and publication as provided by law. Copies of this chapter shall be forwarded to Garden State Cablevision and the State Office of Cable Television.