[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of West Milford 3-20-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-7. Amendments noted where applicable.]
ATTACHMENTS
A537a Exhibit 1
For purposes of this ordinance, the terms defined above[1] shall have the meanings there indicated, and the following additional terms shall have the following meanings:
ACT or CABLE TELEVISION ACT
That statute of the State of New Jersey relating to cable television, known as the "Cable Television Act," N.J.S.A. 48:5A-15 et seq.
BOARD
The Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey.
FEDERAL ACT
That federal statute relating to cable communications commonly known as the "Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984," 47 U.S.C. § 521 et seq., or as that statute may be amended, and the Communications Act of 1934 as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Those federal regulations relating to the Communications Act of 1934 as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and cable televisions service, 47 CFR 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 CFR Section 76.31), or as such regulations may be amended.
FRANCHISEE
The grantee of rights under this ordinance and is known as "Hometown Online, Inc.," a wholly owned subsidiary of Warwick Valley Telephone Company, its lawful successors and assignees.
STATE REGULATIONS
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 14:18-1.1 et seq., or as such regulations may be amended.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of West Milford in the County of Passaic and State of New Jersey.
[1]
Editor's Note: The preamble to Ord. No. 2002-7 defined Hometown Online, Inc., as the "franchisee."
It is hereby found and determined that the franchisee possesses the necessary legal, technical, character, financial and other qualifications to comply with all requirements and that the franchisee's operating and construction arrangements are adequate and feasible. It is accordingly ordained that pursuant to the laws of the State of New Jersey and the rules and regulations established by the Board, a nonexclusive consent and permission is hereby granted to the franchisee to use new and existing communications facilities to provide video services within certain areas of the Township of West Milford subject to the following rules and regulations.
The consent herein granted shall expire 10 years from the effective date of the Certificate of Approval granted by the Board for the franchisee to provide service in West Milford.
The consent granted herein may be renewed upon application pursuant to the Federal Act and Cable Television Act.
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Act, the franchise shall, during each year of operation under the consent herein, pay to the Township 2% of the gross revenues from all recurring charges in the nature of subscription fees paid by subscribers to its cable television reception service in the Township. This fee shall be payable on or before the 25th day of January of each year accompanied by a statement of receipts. Franchisee shall provide a yearly audit to the Township when completed by the franchisee auditor.
The consent granted herein to the franchisee for the provision of video services shall apply to that portion of the Township that currently or in the future receives franchised telecommunications services from the Warwick Valley Telephone Company as an incumbent local exchange or that:
A. 
In the future receives franchised telecommunications services from the Warwick Valley Telephone Company as a competitive local exchange carrier; and
B. 
Is within 4,100 feet, as measured by run of wire, from either Warwick Valley Telephone Company central office or remote office switching facilities, or is within 4,100 feet, as measured by run of wire, from a next generation digital loop carrier that is installed on the Warwick Valley Telephone Company network; and
C. 
Hometown Online obtains approval from Warwick Valley Telephone Company to serve via the use of Warwick Valley Telephone Company's network.
The construction timetable shall commence on a date when the franchisee has received in writing a certificate of approval from the Board (the "approval date"). The franchisee shall meet the following construction timetable for provision of service:
A. 
By no later than two years from the approval date, 100% of that portion of the franchise territory identified as "Area A" in Exhibit 1[1] annexed to this ordinance; and
B. 
By no later than three years from the approval date, 100% of that portion of the franchise territory identified as "Area B" in Exhibit 1 annexed to this ordinance; provided that the franchisee reserves the right to suspend the construction timetable with respect to Area B if the franchisee does not experience a significant subscription rate on or before two years from the approval date. A "significant subscription rate" means that 30% or more of all potential subscribers have subscribed to franchisee's video services. The term "potential subscribers" means the aggregate number of access lines deployed by the Warwick Valley Telephone Company in the areas where the franchisee provides or has the capability to provide cable service.
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 rules and regulations set by the Board and complied with by Warwick Valley Telephone Company in the provision of its regulated communications services. Any such extension shall be governed by the provisions of this ordinance.
In the event that the franchisee or its agent shall disturb any pavement, street surfaces, sidewalk, driveways, or other surfaces in the natural topography, the franchisee 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. Said restoration shall be to the extent of the damage done in the area specifically concerned which has been disturbed.
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 franchisee, upon reasonable notice by the Township, shall remove, re-lay and relocate its equipment in accordance with existing procedures adhered to in the provision of existing communications services provided by Warwick Valley Telephone Company.
The franchisee, shall, upon request of the Township, at the franchise's expense, temporarily raise, lower or remove its lines in order to facilitate the moving of buildings or machinery or other like circumstances in accordance with existing procedures adhered to in the provision of existing communications services provided by Warwick Valley Telephone Company.
During exercise of its rights and privileges under this franchise, the franchisee shall have the authority to trim trees upon the 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 franchisee. Such trimming will be conducted by Warwick Valley Telephone in accordance with existing procedures adhered to in the provision of existing communications services provided by Warwick Valley Telephone Company. Any work to be performed under this provision requires 48 hours' notice to the Township unless the matter is an emergency.
During the term of this franchise, and any renewal thereof, the franchisee shall maintain a local business office or agent for the purpose of receiving, investigating and resolving all complaints regarding the quality of service, equipment malfunctions and similar matters. Such local business office shall be open during the hours set by Warwick Valley Telephone Company and in no event less than 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. A telephone number, local to the Township, shall be provided by the franchisee.
Franchisee will provide local origination programming during the term of this agreement and any extensions of it on one or more channels. Such channels shall be bundled with basic cable services. The franchisee will acquire the necessary equipment so that 1/2 inch VHS tapes may be aired in order to provide such programming over any such channels during the term of this agreement and any extensions of it. The franchisee retains discretion over whether to air tapes submitted to it.
The Township recognizes that it is not permitted to require any particular programming. However, the Township recommends in the strongest term possible without requiring same, that franchisee provide additional local programming, including local news and sporting events.
Franchisee will make best efforts to provide public emergency broadcast capabilities whereby notification of a public emergency deemed to have an effect on the Township and its residents may be superimposed on or scrolled cross all channels with details pertaining to said public emergency to be conveyed visually and/or audibly on a predesignated channel. Franchisee shall be on-line with this capability no later than 90 days after the State of New Jersey's proposed emergency alert system is operational.
A. 
Franchisee shall broadcast within 48 hours West Milford Township Council meetings, West Milford Township Planning Board meetings, West Milford Township Zoning Board of Adjustment meetings, West Milford Township Board of Education meetings, and meetings of other West Milford Township governmental bodies upon request any of those above listed governmental bodies upon reasonable prior notice to franchisee. Notice at least five days prior notice but not more than one year prior to the meeting shall be considered reasonable prior notice. Franchisee shall use its best efforts to broadcast such meetings within 48 hours and shall under any circumstances broadcast such meetings within 96 hours of the completion of such meetings. In addition, franchisee shall provide an employee or agent to tape such meetings, or in the alternative, provide necessary equipment, training and advisory personnel to tape such meetings. Franchisee may coordinate use of personnel and facilities with others also under an obligation to cover such meeting in complying with its obligation under this section. The franchisee shall provide the following basic cable service, including service drop and one residential gateway which can simultaneously serve up to three televisions, to the following public facilities to the extent such facility is within an area receiving service from franchisee and is government owned:
(1) 
Hillcrest School.
B. 
Franchisee shall, upon written request, also provide such service on the same terms to the Town Hall, Public Library and any other public school at such time as the areas where franchisee provides video service under this consent includes such buildings.
Within 18 months of the final adoption of this ordinance, should franchisee enter a franchise agreement with any municipality within New Jersey and the other municipality acquires more favorable terms than West Milford Township, then the franchisee shall offer the same terms to West Milford Township.
Franchisee shall appear at a public meeting of the West Milford Township Council at least one time per year if requested by the Township Council in writing. At this meeting, franchisee shall report on the past year's service record. This meeting shall be open to the public and shall provide an opportunity for the public to comment on or question the performance of franchisee. Franchisee shall further agree to meet with the Township Cable Oversight Committee at least one time per year, on no less than 14 days' notice, to discuss any and all issues relating to video service of the franchisee being provided to the Township and its residents.
The Office of Cable Television is hereby designated as the complaint officer for the municipality, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 48:5A-26(b). All complaints shall be received and processed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.5.
To the extent required by N.J.S.A. 48:5A-28(d), franchisee shall maintain a bond or commitment in the penal sum of not less than $25,000 for the faithful performance of all undertakings by the franchisee represented in the application.
A. 
The franchisee agrees to maintain and keep in full force and effect at its sole expense at all times during the term of this consent, upon approval by the Board of Public Utilities, liability insurance naming the Township of West Milford as an additional insured and insuring against loss by any such claim, suit, judgment, execution or demand as follows:
(1) 
Comprehensive general liability insurance for bodily injury or property damage with a $500,000 combined single limit of liability per occurrence; and
(2) 
Automobile insurance liability for bodily injury or property damage in the amount of a $500,000 combined single limit of liability, including coverage for hired and nonownership automobile liability.
B. 
Said liability insurance shall also include insurance in compliance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-28(f). Franchisee shall also maintain all workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance that is required by statute.
In the event that franchisee breaches its responsibilities herein, the Township reserves the right to seek redress administratively through the Board of Public Utilities or at law in a court of competent jurisdiction, as permitted by law. In the event the franchisee fails to complete the implementation and the extension of service in the Township as set forth herein, then the Township shall have the right to apply to the Board of Public Utilities for relief, including, without limitation, revocation of the franchise.
Any portion of the application, which is in conflict with the provisions of the Cable Television Act, N.J.S.A. 48:5A-1 et seq., the Cable Communications Policy Act, 47 U.S.C. § 521 et seq., the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and/or FCC Rules and Regulations, 76.1 et seq., as amended, or any other applicable law, is not to be construed as effective under the terms of this ordinance. All of the commitments and statements contained in the application and any amendment thereto submitted in writing to the Township by the franchisee, except as modified herein, are binding upon the franchisee as terms and conditions of this consent. The application and any other relevant writings submitted by the franchisee shall be annexed hereto and made a part hereof by reference as long as they do not conflict with state or federal law.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase or portion of this ordinance 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.
Any reference in any provision of this ordinance to any federal or state statute or regulation shall be deemed to be a reference to such statute or regulation as it may be amended in the future and to any successor statute or regulation governing the same subject matter.
This municipal consent shall become effective as of the date upon which the Township received written notification that franchisee accepts the provisions of this ordinance, after adoption by the Township Council.
The franchisee shall provide, when permitted by law, reduced rates for basic cable service to senior citizen residents of the Township.
In the event rate regulation legislation is changed in the future to provide for regulation by the Township, the Township shall be the rate regulation authority.
The franchisee shall cause all construction plans related to work involving Township property or rights-of-way to be filed with the Township Engineer and Township Administrator at least 10 days prior to the commencement of the work. Technical specifications should conform to Board and New Jersey Office of Cable Television guidelines for picture quality and dependability. Nothing herein shall eliminate the requirements of the franchisee to comply with all federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, or regulations.