[Adopted 12-31-1981 by L.L. No. 1-1981; amended in its entirety 4-16-1985 by L.L. No. 2-1985]
The Town Board holds as a necessary objective forming a group whose existence is predetermined by reference in the franchising agreement between the Town of Woodstock and Time Warner. This group will advise the Town Board and the residents of the Town of Woodstock in matters relating to Time Warner, on request or at its own initiative.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
The Town Board of the Town of Woodstock hereby creates a commission which shall be known as the "Woodstock Cable Commission," hereinafter called "WCC."
The WCC shall consist of seven members appointed by the Town Board and serving at the pleasure of the Town Board. Town Board members may serve as additional nonvoting ex officio members. Only persons residing within the Town of Woodstock shall be eligible for appointment as members of the WCC. The terms of appointment shall be as follows: three members shall be appointed to hold office for a term of three years, two members shall be appointed to hold office for a term of two years, and two members shall be appointed to hold office for a term of one year. All subsequent appointments, other than appointments to fill vacancies occurring other than by the expiration of a term of office, shall be made for a term of three years. A vacancy occurring other than by the expiration of a term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
A. 
The WCC shall, by majority vote, designate, subject to approval by the Town Board, two members, one of whom is to act as Chairman and the other of whom is to act as Vice Chairman.
B. 
Subject to the provisions of the Open Meetings Law,[1] the WCC shall be responsible for the creation of its own rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of its meetings.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Art. 7 of the State Public Officers Law.
A. 
A recording secretary may be hired by the Town Board on recommendation of the WCC and reimbursed from the Commission's annual operating budget (A 1651 - General Fund). The recording secretary shall keep accurate records of the meetings and activities of the Commission, shall maintain the files of the Commission, and shall ensure the filing of an annual report, as provided in § 43-16 of this article.
B. 
For purposes of control and continuity, the master file for the WCC will be maintained in the office of the Town Clerk. A current activities file for aid-to-construction projects will be kept by the secretary to the Town Supervisor.
The WCC shall:
A. 
Provide guidance and advice to the Town Board by reporting on and making recommendations on Time Warner service expansion and renegotiation of franchise. In addition, material on radio, security systems, telephone, computers and fire/highway/constabulary information systems, in the form of minutes and special reports, shall be provided, as needed, to the Supervisor, Town Board, Building Inspector, Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board Chairman, as well as Commission members.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B. 
Monitor service on the cable by checking signal quality by connecting to test points provided by Time Warner for that purpose and reporting to the Town Board and WCC members on any subscriber-initiated complaints that may be referred to the WCC by the secretary to the Town Supervisor.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
C. 
Periodically check on the gross receipts of Time Warner, as provided for by the franchise agreement with the Town of Woodstock, to ensure that the general fund received the correct amount due.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
D. 
Supplement the franchising agreement with rules, regulations and procedures for the aid-to-construction projects, these regulations to be kept on file with the Town Clerk and made available to potential subscribers and Town residents, content to be determined by the WCC.
E. 
Draft legislation or assist the Town Board in drafting legislation on matters relating to WCC areas of expertise and jurisdiction.
F. 
Recommend consultants, contractors and other organizations to the Town Board and assist in interviewing said persons or groups, where professional or experienced service is of importance in achieving results with benefit to the Town's cablevision service and communications network.
G. 
Maintain and update a file on WCC activities, franchise agreements, cable newsletters, subscriber complaints, etc. This file is intended to serve as reference material for future franchising negotiation, providing guidance for the expansion of the cable system and local origination channel activities. Space shall be provided in the Town offices for this purpose. The WCC shall be consulted in the application and interpretation of this material.
H. 
Develop and conduct, subject to general approval by resolution of the Town Board, a program of public information in the community which shall be designed to foster increased understanding of the nature of the WCC's aspects and needs, and to support their solutions, as needed and appropriate.
I. 
Carry out such other functions and duties as may from time to time be assigned to the WCC by the Town Board.
The WCC shall keep accurate records of its meetings and actions and shall file an annual report with the Town Board of the Town of Woodstock on or before the 31st day of December of each and every year. Said annual report shall disclose all activities conducted by the WCC during the year being reported.
The members of WCC, including ex officio members, shall receive no compensation for their services as members thereof; however, said members may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties, provided that said reimbursements can be paid from the annual budget and appropriation of the WCC.