WESTFIELD – Mayor Daniel M. Knapik and members of the city’s Cable Commission conducted the first of two public ascertainment hearings last night to take comments from citizens pertaining to cable service provided through the city’s contract with Comcast which expires next March.
Knapik read a statement defining the limits of the city’s on-going negotiations with Comcast.
“Cable television licensing is governed by both federal and state law, and in Westfield, the Mayor is the license-granting authority. Currently, the City is in the “ascertainment” phase of the license review process. During the ascertainment phase, the City gathers input and data from residents and other stakeholders in order to measure customer desires and needs, particularly related to public access, education, and facilities. It is important to note channel lineup offerings and rates are not governed by local government; however, residents are encouraged to weigh in, either in person at the hearing or in writing relative to any concerns they might have relative to the cable licensing agreement. Additionally, the cable television franchising agreement only governs television and has no jurisdiction over internet, broadband, or telephone services.
“Testimony is very important,” Knapik said prior to taking comments from members of the Cable Commission and citizens in attendance. A court stenographer was present to record those comments.
Knapik said the testimony will be used to better define community needs and interests as well as reviewing the performance of Comcast under the current contract. He also said that the ascertainment process will result in either a proposal to Comcast or a request for proposals which would open negotiations to other cable providers.
The issue of competition was directly addressed by a resident.
Thomas Woodson of 112 Squawfield Road said “there are other cable companies out there. We just moved to Westfield from an area where we did have competition and where you could choose. Maybe the city could get a better deal from somebody else.”
Stephen C. Dondley of the cable commission said the testimony will help “set the stage for negotiations with Comcast for the next 10-year (contract). There are quite a few complaints, some things we can do as a community to improve the service.”
Cable Commissioner Bob Hamel said that the community “appreciates the quality of service and the fact (that Comcast) went to HD (high definition) technology which requires a digital adapter. Initially they provided (the adapter) to residents free, but then they began charging for it.”
Hamel also said that customers on states bordering Massachusetts are offered additional channels, such as the Sportsman’s Channel, which are not available in Westfield under the current contract.
Community Development Director Peter J. Miller Jr., who was assigned by Knapik to the negotiation team, said that residents have contacted his office with several issues.
“One major issue is the elimination of the Connecticut broadcast channels,” Miller said. “We have a number of people living in Westfield who work in Connecticut and who have expressed concern about not getting those channels.”
Miller said another concern raised by residents is that the cable provider offers a senior discount in other communities, but not in Westfield.
Miller also addressed local programming and local access channels, saying that the city needs new equipment to facilitate the production and broadcast local events and programs.
“Westfield needs to increase the number of community channels, we have one local access channel” Miller said. “For a city the size of Westfield the standard is two or three local access channels.”
Two residents presented bundles of advertising solicitations.
Brad Moir of Western Avenue said that he has received those solicitations both at home and at his Broad Street office.
“I’ve kept the ones coming to my office, 21 since April 16, which is about one a week,” Moir said. “Who’s paying for this? It impacts our cable bills.”
Moir also suggested that Comcast, or any cable provider, provide a menu of program categories which customers could select a la carte “instead of a package with channels you don’t want.”
Ken Stomski of Dubois Street presented a package of 62 advertising solicitation.
“If all of these didn’t come to my house, maybe my rates wouldn’t go up so much,” Stomski said.
Brian Hoose of Arnold Street said that the billing format “is not clear to the customer” and that people with service complaints “have a problem getting to somebody to solve that (service) problem.
“A lot of older people don’t have computers and would like to have somebody to talk to to get answers to problems,” Hoose said.
Hoose also endorsed a broadcast category menu approach.
“I have 900 channels available, but I only watch 25,” House said, adding that there is too much duplicate programing with different stations carrying the same shows and stations that show the same show repeatedly.
Knapik said that a second ascertainment hearing will be held at the Senior Center on Thursday Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.
“Citizens who are unable to attend (the hearings) can communicate their concerns either in writing or by e-mail with my office,” Knapik said. “To express your concern relative to cable television services in Westfield, please contact my office at (413) 572-6201 or by email at [email protected].”
