The Town of Ossining finds that the development of cable television
and communications systems has the potential of having great benefit and impact
upon the people of Ossining. Because of the complex and rapidly changing technology
associated with cable television, the town further finds that the public convenience,
safety and general welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory powers
which should be vested in the town or such persons as the town shall designate.
It is the intent of this chapter and subsequent amendments to provide for
and specify the means to attain the best possible public interest and public
purpose in these matters, and any franchise issued pursuant to this chapter
shall be deemed to include this finding as an integral part thereof. Further,
it is recognized that cable communications systems have the capacity to provide
not only entertainment and information services to the town's residents,
but can provide a variety of broadband, interactive communications services
to institutions and individuals. Many of these services involve town agencies
and other public institutions, by providing governmental, educational or health
care communications. For these purposes, the following goals underlie the
regulations contained herein:
A. Communications services should be provided to the maximum
number of town residents.
B. The system should be capable of accommodating both the
present and reasonably foreseeable future communications needs of the town.
C. The system should be improved and upgraded during the
franchise term so that the new facilities necessary for the operation of this
system shall be integrated to the maximum extent possible with existing facilities
as specified in the franchise.
D. The communications system authorized by this chapter
shall be responsive to the needs and interests of the local community and
shall provide the widest possible diversity of information sources and services
to the public.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "Ossining Cable Communication
Regulatory Local Law," and it shall become a part of the local laws of the
town.