For the purpose of operating and maintaining a cable communications
system in the Township, a grantee may erect, install, construct, repair, replace,
reconstruct and retain in, on, over, under, upon, across and along the public
streets and ways within the Township such wires, cables, conductors, ducts,
conduits, vaults, manholes, amplifiers, appliances, pedestals, attachments
and other property and equipment as are necessary to the operation of the
cable communications systems; provided, however, that the grantee complies
with all design, construction, safety and performance provisions contained
in this chapter, the franchise agreement and other applicable laws, including
but not limited to the Federal Technical Performance Standards, National Electrical
Code (current edition) and the power company and telephone company pole contract
standards.
No poles shall be erected by a grantee without prior approval of the
Township with regard to location, height, type and any other pertinent aspect.
However, no location of any pole of the grantee shall be a vested right and
such poles shall be removed or modified by the grantee at its own expense
whenever the Township determines that the public convenience would be enhanced
thereby. The grantee shall utilize existing poles and conduits, where possible.
The Township shall have the right, during the life of the franchise, to install
and maintain free of charge upon the poles owned by the grantee, any wire
and pole fixtures that do not unreasonably interfere with the operations of
the grantee.
No cable communications system shall be allowed to occupy or use the
streets of the Township or be allowed to operate without a franchise.
The term of any franchise as granted pursuant to this chapter shall
be specified in the franchise agreement in the discretion of the Township.
Any franchise granted pursuant to this chapter shall be nonexclusive.
The Township specifically reserves the right to grant at any time such additional
franchises for a cable communications system as it deems appropriate and/or
build, operate and own such cable communications system or systems as it deems
appropriate.