Ordinance No. 23-05

Introduced: February 16, 2023
Public Hearing: March 13, 2023 
Status: Adopted

TOWNSHIP OF VERNON

ORDINANCE #23-05

ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF VERNON, COUNTY OF SUSSEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, TO REPEAL AND REPLACE CHAPTER 170 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE ENTITLED “CABLE TELEVISION AND COMMUNICATIONS” AND TO GRANT MUNICIPAL CONSENT FOR THE OPERATION OF A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP OF VERNON, NEW JERSEY TO CSC TKR, LLC

            WHEREAS, the governing body of Township of Vernon (hereinafter referred to as the "Township") determined that CSC TKR, LLC (hereinafter referred to as "the Company") has the technical competence and general fitness to operate a cable television system in the Municipality, and by prior ordinance granted its municipal consent for the Company's predecessor in interest, Service Electric Cable T. V. of New Jersey, Inc. ("SECTV") to obtain a non-exclusive franchise (the "Franchise") for the placement of facilities and the establishment of a cable television system in the Municipality; and

            WHEREAS, on or about July 14, 2020; with the prior approval of the Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey (hereinafter the "Board") the Company completed its purchase of the assets of SECTV, including the cable television franchise for, and the cable television system within the territorial limits governed by, the Township; and

            WHEREAS, by application for renewal consent filed with the Township and the Office of Cable Television on or about April 14, 2022, the Company has sought a renewal of the Franchise; and

            WHEREAS, the Township having held public hearings has made due inquiry to review the Company's performance under the Franchise, and to identify the Township's future cable-related needs and interests and has concluded that the Company has substantially complied with its obligations under the Franchise and applicable law and has committed to certain undertakings responsive to the Township's future cable-related needs and interests; and

            WHEREAS, the Township has accordingly concluded that the consent should be renewed subject to the requirements set forth below; and that, provided the Company's proposal for renewal embodies the commitments set forth below, the Township's municipal consent to the renewal of the Franchise should be given; and

            WHEREAS, imposition of the same burdens and costs on other competitors franchised by the Township is a basic assumption of the parties.

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex, and State of New Jersey, that Chapter 170 of the municipal code be repealed and replaced with the following:

SECTION 1

CHAPTER 170: CABLE TELEVISION AND COMMUNICATIONS

• 170-1. Introductory provisions/purpose of the chapter.

            The Township hereby grants to the Company its non-exclusive consent to place in, upon, along, across, above, over and under the highway, streets, alleys, sidewalks, public ways, and public places in the Municipality, poles, wires, cables, and fixtures necessary for the maintenance and operation in the Municipality of a cable television system and cable communications system. Construction, pursuant to said consent, is conditioned upon prior approval of the Board of Public Utilities.

• 170-2. Definitions.

For the purpose of this Ordinance the terms defined above shall have the meanings there indicated, and the following additional terms shall have the following meanings:

• “Act” or “Cable Television Act” shall mean that statute of the State of New Jersey relating to cable television, known as the Cable Television Act, J.S.A. 48:5A-1 et seq.

• “Application” shall mean the Company’s application for Renewal of Municipal Consent, which application is on file in the Township Clerk’s office and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof, except as modified, changed, limited or altered by this Ordinance.

• “Board” shall mean the Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey or its successor agency.

• “Township” shall mean the governing body of the Township Vernon in the County of Sussex, and the State of New Jersey.

• “Company” shall mean CSC TKR, LLC, the grantee of rights under this Ordinance.

• “FCC” shall mean the Federal Communications Commission.

• “Federal Act” shall mean that federal statute relating to cable communications commonly known as the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, 47 U.S.C. Section 521 et seq. and the Telecommunications Act of 1996, or as those statutes may be amended.

• “Federal Regulations” shall mean those federal regulations relating to cable television services, 47 C.F.R. 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 C.F.R. Section 76.3), or as such regulations may be amended.

• “Municipality” shall mean the area contained within the present municipal boundaries of the Township of Vernon in the County of Sussex, and the State of New Jersey.

• “Standard installation” shall mean the installation of drop cable to a customer’s premise where the distance from the point of entry into the building being served is less than 150 feet from the active cable television system plant.

• “State” shall mean the State of New Jersey.

• “State Regulations” shall mean those regulations of the State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities relating to cable television. J.A.C. 14:17-1.1 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 14:18-1 et seq., or as such regulations may be amended.

• 170-3. Statement of findings.

            A public hearing concerning the consent herein granted to the Company was held after proper public notice pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Act.  Said hearing having been held and fully open to the public, and the Township having received all comments regarding the qualifications of the Company to receive this consent, the Township hereby finds the Company possesses the necessary legal, technical, character, financial and other qualifications to support municipal consent, and that the Company’s operating and construction arrangements are adequate and feasible.

• 170-4. Grant of municipal consent.

            The Township hereby grants to the Company a non-exclusive consent to the issuance of a franchise by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to construct, erect, operate, modify and maintain, in, upon, along, across, above, over, and under the highways, streets, alleys, sidewalks, public ways and public places now laid out or dedicated and all extensions thereof and additions thereto, in the Municipality, such poles, wires, cables, underground conduits, manholes, and other television conductors and fixtures necessary for the maintenance and operation in the Municipality of a cable television system and cable communications system for the purpose of distributing television and radio signals, and other electronic impulses in order to furnish television and radio programs, and various communications and other electronic services to the public. The rights so granted include the right to use and occupy said highways, streets, alleys, public ways and public places, and all manner of easements for the purposes herein set forth and as provided by federal and state law, and are subject to the terms and conditions herein.

• 170-5. Duration of Franchise.

This consent granted herein shall be non-exclusive and shall be for a term of ten (10) years from the date of issuance of a Certificate of Approval by the Board.

• 170-6. Expiration and Subsequent Renewal.

            If the Company seeks successive consent, it shall, prior to the expiration of this consent, apply for a municipal consent and certificate of approval in accordance with N.J.S.A 48:5A-16, and applicable state and federal rules and regulations.  In accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-25.1, both the Township and the Company shall be bound by the terms of this municipal consent until such time as the Company converts the municipal consent (and any certificate of approval) into a system-wide franchise.

• 170-7. Franchise Territory.

            The consent granted under this Ordinance to the Company shall apply to the entirety of the Municipality and any property hereafter annexed.

• 170-8. Service Area.

            The Company shall be required to proffer video programming service along any public right-of-way to any person’s residence within the “primary service area,” as it exists on the effective date of any written approval order by the Board of this consent, at the Company’s schedule of rates for standard and nonstandard installation.

• 170-9. Extension of Service.

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Board, as ordered in its approval of the transfer of the Franchise from SECTV to the Company (Docket No. CM20030211, effective July 6, 2020), upon request, the Company shall extend service along any public right of way outside its primary service area to those residences or small businesses within the franchise territory which are located in areas that have a residential home density of twenty-five (25) homes per mile or greater (as measured from the then existing primary service area), or areas with less than twenty-five (25) homes per mile where residents and/or small businesses agree to share the cost of such extension in accordance with the line extension formula as provided by the Company in its application for municipal consent.

• 170-10. Franchise Fee.

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Cable Television Act, the Company shall pay to the Township, as an annual franchise fee, a sum equal to two percent (2%) of the actual gross revenues received from all recurring charges in the nature of subscription fees paid by subscribers for its cable television reception services in the Municipality. In the event applicable law hereinafter permits a larger franchise fee to be collected, but does not fix the amount thereof, the Township and the Company shall negotiate in good faith with respect to the amount thereof; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to permit the Township to require payment of a franchise fee by the Company that is higher than the fee paid by all other cable television service providers offering service in the Municipality.

            The Company may use electronic funds transfer to make any payments to the Township required under this Ordinance.

• 170-11. Free Service.

            Subject to applicable FCC rules and orders, the Company shall, upon written request, provide free of charge, standard installation and monthly cable television reception service to all State or locally accredited public schools and all municipal public libraries, as well as municipal buildings located within the Municipality, as follows:

1. One (1) cable connection for the Cedar Mountain Primary School located at 17 Sammis Road, Vernon, New Jersey.

2. Three (3) cable connections for the Walnut Ridge Elementary School located at 625 Route 517, Vernon, New Jersey.

3. Three (3) cable connections for the Glen Meadows Middle School located at 7 Sammis Road, Vernon, New Jersey.

4. Three (3) cable connections for the Lounsberry Hollow School located at 30 Sammis Road, Vernon, New Jersey.

5. Two (2) cable connections for the Rolling Hills Primary School located at 60 Sammis Road, Vernon, New Jersey.

6. Three (3) cable connections for the Vernon Township High School located at 1834 County Road 565, Vernon New Jersey.

7. One (1) cable connection for the Pochuck Valley Fire Department located at 13 Lake Wallkill Road, Sussex, New Jersey.

8. One (1) cable connection for the Vernon Township Police Department located at 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey.

9. One (1) cable connection for the Vernon Township Senior Citizen’s Center located at 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey.

10. One (1) cable connection for the Vernon PAL located at 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey.

11. Two (2) cable connections for the Vernon Township Road Department located at 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey.

12. One (1) cable connection for the Vernon Municipal Building located at 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey.

13. One (1) cable connection for the Vernon Township Fire Department located at 535 Route 515, Vernon, New Jersey.

14. One (1) cable connection for the Highland Lakes Fire Department located at 813 Canistear Road, Highland Lakes, New Jersey.

15. One (1) cable connection for the McAfee Fire Department located at 88 Route 94, McAfee, New Jersey.

• 170-12. Construction/System Requirements.

            The Company shall perform construction and installation of its plant and facilities in accordance with applicable State and federal law. The Company shall be subject to the following additional construction requirements with respect to the installation of its cable plant and facilities in the Municipality:

            (a) In the event that the Company or its agents shall disturb any pavement, street surfaces, sidewalks, driveways or other surfaces, the Company shall at its sole expense restore and replace such disturbances in as good a condition as existed prior to the commencement of said work. 

            (b) 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 Company, upon reasonable notice by the Township shall remove or relocate its equipment, at its own expense.

            (c) Upon request of a person holding a building or moving permit issued by the Township, the Company shall temporarily move or remove appropriate parts of its facilities so as to permit the moving or erection of buildings or for the performance of other work.  The expense of any such temporary removal or relocation shall be paid in advance to the Company by the person requesting the same. In such cases, the Company shall be given not less than fourteen (14) days prior written notice in order to arrange for the changes required.

            (d) During the exercise of its rights and privileges under this consent, the Company shall have the authority to trim trees upon and 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, cables, conduits and fixtures of the Company.  Such trimming shall be only to the extent necessary to maintain proper clearance for the Company’s facilities.

• 170-13. Technical and Customer Service Standards.

            The Company shall comply with the technical and customer service standards established for the cable industry under applicable federal and State laws, rules and regulations.

• 170-14. Local Office or Agent.

            The Company shall establish and maintain during the entire term of this consent a local area business office or agent for the purpose of receiving, investigating and resolving complaints regarding the quality of service, equipment malfunctions and similar matters.  Said office shall be open daily during normal business hours, and in no event less than 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of holidays.

• 170-15. Designation of Complaint Officer.

            The Office of Cable Television is hereby designated as the complaint officer for the Township pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 48:5A-26.  All complaints shall be reviewed and processed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.5.

• 170-16. Liability Insurance.

            The Company agrees to maintain and keep in force and effect at its sole cost at all times during the term of this consent, sufficient liability insurance naming the Township as an additional insured and insuring against loss by any such claim, suit, judgment, execution or demand in the minimum amounts of five-hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) for bodily injury or death to one person, and one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for bodily injury or death resulting from any one accident or occurrence stemming from or arising out of the Company’s exercise of its rights hereunder.

• 170-17. Performance Bond.

            The Company shall obtain and maintain, at its sole cost and expense, during the entire term of this Agreement, a bond to the Township in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00).  Such bond shall be to insure the faithful performance of its obligations as provided in this Franchise.

• 170-18. Rates.

1. The rates of the Company for cable television service shall be subject to regulation to the extent permitted by federal and State law.

 

1. Cablevision shall implement a senior citizen discount in the amount of ten percent (10%) off the monthly broadcast basic level of cable television service rate to any person sixty-two (62) years of age or older, who subscribes to cable television services provided by the Company, subject to the following:

(i)   Such discount shall only be available to eligible senior citizens who do not share the subscription with more than one person in the same household who is less than sixty-two (62) years of age; and,

(ii)  In accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-11.2, subscribers seeking eligibility for the discount must meet the income and residence requirements of the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled program pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:4D-21; and,

(iii)             The senior discount herein relates only to the broadcast basic level of cable television service, and shall not apply to any additional service, feature, or equipment offered by the Company, including any premium channel services and pay-per-view services; and,

(iv) Senior citizens who subscribe to a level of cable television service beyond expanded basic service, including any premium or per channel a la carte service, shall not be eligible for the discount; and,

25. The Company shall have no further obligation to provide the senior discount herein in the event that (a) the Company converts the municipal consent granted herein to a system-wide franchise in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-25.1; or (b) upon Board approval of a certification that another cable television service provider offering services to residents of the Municipality files, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-30(d), is capable of serving sixty percent (60%) or more of the households within the Municipality. In the event the Company does cease providing a senior discount pursuant to this provision, it shall comply with all notice requirements of applicable law

• 170-19. Emergency Uses.

            The Company shall be required to have the capability to override the audio portion of the system in order to permit the broadcasting of emergency messages by the Township pursuant to state and federal requirements. The Company shall in no way be held liable for any injury suffered by the Township or any other person, during an emergency, if for any reason the Township is unable to make full use of the cable television system as contemplated herein. The Township shall utilize the state-approved procedures for such emergency uses.

• 170-20. Equitable Terms.

In the event that the service of another multi-channel video program provider not subject to the Township’s regulatory authority within the Municipality creates a significant competitive disadvantage to the Company, the Company shall have the right to request from the Township lawful amendments to its Franchise that relieve it of burdens which create the unfair competitive situation.  Should the Company seek such amendments to its Franchise, the parties agree to negotiate in good-faith appropriate changes to the Franchise in order to relieve the Company of such competitive disadvantages.  If the parties can reach an agreement on such terms, the Township agrees to support the Company's petition to the Board for modification of the consent in accordance with N.J.S.A 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7.  

If the parties are unable to reach an agreement on appropriate amendments to the franchise, the Township acknowledges that the Company shall have the right to petition the Board directly for such amendments in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7; provided, however, the Township shall be under no obligation to support the Company's request for such relief from the Board.

            In any subsequent municipal consent, Township shall require, at a minimum, the same terms and conditions of any other provider of multi-channel video programming subject to the Township’s regulatory authority as those contained in the instant consent.  In the event such subsequent consent does not contain the same terms and conditions as the instant consent, Township agrees to support the Company's petition to the Board for modification of the consent in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7 to relieve the Company of competitive disadvantages identified in the Company's petition. 

• 170-21. Removal of Facilities.

            Upon expiration, termination or revocation of this Ordinance, the Company at its sole cost and expense and upon direction of the Board, shall remove the cables and appurtenant devices constructed or maintained in connection with the cable services authorized herein, unless the Company, its affiliated entities or assignees should, within six (6) months after such expiration, termination or revocation obtain certification from the FCC to operate an open video system or any other federal or state certification to provide telecommunications.

• 170-22. Public, Educational, and Governmental Access.

            The Company shall continue to make available non-commercial public, educational and governmental (PEG) access services to the residents of the Municipality as described in the Application for municipal consent.  All the Company support for PEG access shall be for the exclusive benefit of the Company’s subscribers.

• 170-23. Employee Identification.

1. Each employee of the Company who routinely comes into contact with members of the public at their places of residence must wear a picture identification card clearly indicating his or her employment with the Company. The photograph on the identification card shall prominently show the employee's name and/or identification number. Such employee shall prominently display such identification card and shall show it to all such members of the public. Each employee of any contractor or subcontractor of the Company who routinely comes into contact with members of the public at their places of residence must wear a picture identification card clearly indicating his or her name, the name of such contractor or subcontractor and the name of the Company.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law regulating door-to-door solicitation or other sales activities undertaken on public or private property within the Municipality, including any licensing or permit obligations required for such activities, the obligations set forth in this Section 22 of this ordinance shall be the sole conditions governing the authorization and identification required for the entrance onto public or private property imposed upon Company or its employees, agents, contractors or subcontractors for the purpose of selling, marketing or promoting services offered by the Company to residents of the Municipality.

• 170-24. Incorporation of Application.

            All of the commitments contained in the Application and any amendment thereto submitted in writing to the Township by the Company except as modified herein, are binding upon the Company as terms and conditions of this consent. The Application and any other written amendments thereto submitted by the Company in connection with this consent are incorporated in this Ordinance by reference and made a part hereof, except as specifically modified, changed, limited, or altered by this Ordinance, or to the extent that they conflict with State or federal law.

• 170-25. Consistency with Applicable Laws.

            This consent shall be construed in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, State and local laws; as such laws, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.

• 170-26. Separability.

            If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court 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 portion thereof.

• 170-27. Notice.

Notices required under this Ordinance shall in writing and shall be mailed, first class, postage prepaid, to the addresses below.  Either party may change the place where notice is to be given by providing such change in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the time such change becomes effective.  The time to respond to notices under this Ordinance shall run from receipt of such written notice.  

Notices to the Company shall be mailed to:

Altice USA
1 Court Square West, 49^th Floor

Long island City, NY 11101
Attention: Senior Vice President for Government Affairs

With a copy to:

 

CSC TKR, LLC
c/o Altice USA
1 Court Square West

Long island City, NY 11101
Attention: Legal Department

Notices to the Township shall be mailed to:

Township of Vernon

21 Church Street

Vernon, NJ 07462

Attention: Township Manager

            Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, regulatory notices from Company to the Township which are required pursuant to State and federal rules and regulations may be served electronically upon the Township, instead of by first class mail as described above, to an email address provided by the Township.

• 170-28. Effective Date and Board of Public Utility Approval.

This Ordinance shall take effect upon issuance of a Certificate of Approval as issued by the Board of Public Utilities that incorporates the material terms of this Ordinance.  Nothing herein shall alter the right of the Company to seek modification of this Ordinance in accordance with N.J.S.A 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7.  In accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-25.1, the terms of this Ordinance will no longer be in effect upon The Company converting the municipal consent (and any certificate of approval) into a system-wide franchise. 

SECTION 2

Any ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed as to their inconsistencies only.

SECTION 4

This Ordinance shall take effect immediately as provided by law.