[Editor's Note: Prior ordinance history includes portions of Ordinance Nos. 89-3 and 01-12.]
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 1]
For the purpose of this Ordinance the terms defined above shall have the meanings there indicated, and the following additional terms shall have the following meanings:
ACT OR CABLE TELEVISION ACT
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean the Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey or its successor agency.
COMPANY
Shall mean Cablevision of Monmouth, LLC, ("Cablevision") the grantee of rights under this Ordinance.
FCC
Shall mean the Federal Communications Commission.
FEDERAL ACT
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean the installation of drop cable to a customer's premise where the distance from the point of entry into the building being served is less than 150 feet from the active cable television system plant.
STATE
Shall mean the State of New Jersey.
STATE REGULATIONS
Shall mean 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
Shall mean the governing body of the Township of Millstone in the County of Monmouth, and the State of New Jersey.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 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. 10-14, § 3]
The Township hereby grants to Cablevision its nonexclusive 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 or other communications facility, and for the provision of any communication service over such facilities 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. 10-14, § 4]
This consent granted herein shall be nonexclusive and shall be for a term of 15 years from the date of issuance of a certificate of approval by the Board.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 5]
If Cablevision seeks successive consent, 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. 10-14, § 6]
The consent granted under this Ordinance to Cablevision shall apply to the entirety of the Township and any property hereafter annexed.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 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 tariffed rates for standard and nonstandard installation.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 8]
Cablevision shall extend service along any public right-of-way outside its service area to those residences within the franchise territory which are located in areas that have a residential density of 25 homes per mile or greater, or areas with less than 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.
Office of Cable Television Line Extension Policy
Company Municipality Cablevision of Monmouth
A cable operator is required to absorb the cost of extensions to the system in the same proportion that the extension is to the remainder of the system.
Actual subscribers served by the extension are required to absorb the remainder of the cost.
If new subscribers are added to the extension the cost is adjusted and those who previously paid receive an appropriate rebate.
1.
# of homes in extension
Mileage of extension
=
Homes per mile (HPM) of extension
2.
HPM of extension
Minimum HPM that company actually constructs in the system*
=
Ratio of the density or "A" of the extension to the minimum density which the company constructs in the system
3.
Total cost of building the extension times "A"
=
Company's share of extension cost
4.
Total cost of building extension less company's share of extension cost
=
Total amount to be recovered from subscribers
5.
Total amount to be recovered from subs
Total subscribers in extension
=
Each subscriber's share
In any case, the company shall extend its plant along public rights-of-way to:
1. All residences and businesses within 150 aerial feet of the operator's existing plant at no cost beyond the normal installation rate.
2. All residences and businesses within 100 underground feet of the operator's plant at no cost beyond the normal installation rate.
*The minimum HPM that the company actually constructs in the system or municipality is the minimum number of homes which the company has historically constructed at its own cost. This is a function of the operator's break even point and its rate of return. Unbuilt systems will use the primary service area rather than construction.
The operator's installation policies shall apply to construction beyond the public right-of-way.
Detailed accounting and/or financial information to support the minimum HPM shall be supplied to the Office for its approval in such form as required. The minimum HPM shall be updated as appropriate.
When a request for service is received, and unless good cause is shown, cable companies shall:
1. Provide a written estimate within 30 days of such a request.
2. Begin construction within 60 days of receipt of any deposit monies from potential subscribers.
3. Complete construction within six months of receipt of any deposit monies from potential subscribers.
4. Inform each home passed along the extension of the potential costs for subscribers.
Subscribers who pay for an extension shall be entitled to rebates in the following manner:
1. If the company acquires new subscribers subsequent to the initial calculation of step 5 above, the formula will be adjusted and those who have previously paid for the extension will be entitled to an appropriate rebate. In no event shall the amount of the rebate exceed the subscriber's contribution.
2. The company shall keep accurate records of the cost of the extension, the amounts paid by subscribers and any appropriate adjustments.
3. The company shall notify subscribers in the extension of their rights and responsibilities concerning the extension.
4. Once an individual dwelling has paid its share of the extension cost future reconnections or installations shall be made at the company's standard rates.
5. After a period of five years from the installation of the first dwelling unit in the extension no further adjustments shall be made. Installations after five years shall be at the company's standard rate.
6. Once a subscriber is installed, that person shall not normally be entitled to a refund of any monies paid for the installations, except in accordance with the rebate procedure outlined in this policy.
Definitions:
PRIMARY SERVICE AREA – The Primary Service Area (PSA) can be an entire municipality but in many instances the PSA is a limited area within a community outside of which a line extension policy may apply. The PSA is depicted by a franchise map and narrative, presented and recorded during the franchise proceedings. It normally remains a fixed geographic area throughout the life of the franchise.
LINE EXTENSION SURVEY – Potential subscribers residing outside the PSA who request service are entitled to an estimate of their share of the cost to secure service. When conducting a survey and estimating costs, a cable company should factor-in all potential subscribers who could practicably be included in the extension and give consideration to apparent residential construction in areas contiguous to the proposed extension.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 9]
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Cable Television Act, Cablevision shall pay to the Township, as an annual franchise fee, a sum equal to 2% of the actual gross revenues received from all recurring charges in the nature of subscription fees paid by subscribers for its cable television reception services in the Township. In the event applicable law hereinafter permits a larger franchise fee to be collected, but does not fix the amount thereof, the Township and Cablevision shall negotiate in good faith with respect to the amount thereof; 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 Municipality.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 10]
Cablevision shall, upon written request, provide free of charge, one standard installation and monthly cable service to all State or locally accredited public schools and all municipal public libraries, as well as existing and future municipal buildings located within the Township and used for municipal governmental purposes.
Upon written request from the municipality, Cablevision shall provide, without charge, basic cable modem service to State and local accredited elementary and secondary schools and municipal public libraries in the municipality as follows: (1) one standard installation per school or library campus; (2) one cable modem per installation; (3) cable modem service the term of this agreement for each installation; (4) subject to the terms, conditions and use policies of the provider of the cable modem service as those policies may exist from time to time.
Upon written request from the municipality, Cablevision shall provide, without charge, basic cable modem service to the Township municipal building as further follows: (1) one standard installation per school or library campus; (2) one cable modem per installation; (3) cable modem service the term of this agreement for each installation; (4) subject to the terms, conditions and use policies of the provider of the cable modem service as those policies may exist from time to time.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 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 cable 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 expense restore and replace such disturbances in as good a condition as existed prior to the commencement of said work.
b. 
If at any time during the period of this consent, the municipality 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 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 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. 10-14, § 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. 10-14, § 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. 10-14, § 15]
Cablevision agrees to maintain and keep in force and effect at its sole cost 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 $500,000 for bodily injury or death to one person, and $1,000,000 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. 10-14, § 16]
Cablevision shall obtain and maintain, at its sole cost and expense, during the entire term of this Agreement, a bond to the municipality in the amount of $25,000. Such bond shall be to insure the faithful performance of its obligations as provided in this franchise.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 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 10% off the monthly rate of the broadcast basic level of cable television reception service to any person 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 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 the Aged and Disabled program pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:4D-21; and
3. 
The senior discount herein relates only to the broadcast basic level of cable television service, and shall not apply to any additional service, feature, or equipment offered by the Company, including any 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; and
5. 
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; or (b) upon Board approval of a certification that another cable television service provider offering services to residents of the Township files, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-30(d), is capable of serving 60% or more of the households within the Township. In the event the Company does cease providing a senior discount pursuant to this provision, it shall comply with all notice requirements of applicable law.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 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. 10-14, § 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 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 the 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 the 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, 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 to relieve the Company of competitive disadvantages identified in the Company's petition.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 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 cable services authorized herein, unless Cablevision, its affiliated entities or assignees should, within six 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. 10-14, § 21]
a. 
Cablevision shall continue to make available non-commercial public, educational and governmental (PEG) access services available to the residents of the Township 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 continue to provide and maintain the access return line at 215 Millstone Road, for use by the Township in the production of noncommercial 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 24-21.
d. 
In consideration for the rights granted in this Ordinance, the Company shall provide the Township with an initial grant in the amount of $4,800. Such amount shall be paid to the Township within 60 days following the receipt of a certified copy of the adoption of this consent ordinance and its acceptance by the Company, or within 30 days of the grant of the certificate from the Board, whichever comes first. In addition, beginning in the second year of the municipal consent and annually thereafter through the fifteen-year term of the franchise, Cablevision shall, upon written request pay a grant to the Township in the amount of $1,428 in each of the following years of the term of the Ordinance (the "Annual Grant"). The Annual Grant may be used by the Township for any cable and/or other telecommunications related purpose as the Township, in its discretion, may deem appropriate. Cablevision shall not be obligated to make any additional payments beyond year 15 of the franchise. The Annual Grant shall be payable to the Township within 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.
e. 
The Township agrees that all amounts provided pursuant to paragraph c shall be used 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 Section 24-21d.
f. 
The Company shall have no further obligation to provide any PEG grant payments due and payable after the date upon which (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; or (b) Board approval of a certification of another cable television service provider offering services to residents of the Township files, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-30(d), that the provider is capable of serving 60% or more of the households within the Township.
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 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. 10-14, § 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. 10-14, § 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. 10-14, § 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 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.
a. 
Notices to the franchisee shall be mailed to:
Cablevision Systems Corporation
638 Route 10
Randolph, NJ 07869
Attention: Vice President for Government/Public
Affairs, New Jersey
With a copy to:
Cablevision of Monmouth
1111 Stewart Avenue
Bethpage, NY 11714
Attention: Legal Department
b. 
Notices to the Township:
Township of Millstone
470 Stagecoach Road
Millstone, NJ 08510
Attention: Township Municipal Clerk
[Ord. No. 10-14, § 26]
This Ordinance shall take effect upon issuance of a certificate of approval as issued by the Board of Public Utilities.