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March 19,2007 2 3 20� <br /> Board of Selectmen <br /> Town of Mashpee <br /> 16 Great Neck Road North <br /> Mashpee,MA 02649 <br /> Be: Massachusetts State Franchising'Bill,Senate Docket 1987/House Doe)et1298' . <br /> Dear Members of the.Board <br /> As you may know,legislation has been proposed that will strip local governments of their power to franchise cable <br /> television and would transfer thus power to the State: Under this legislation a local government would have'no <br /> authority to approve who is using its right <br /> of way nor to require'that service be'made'ayailable to'all its residenis. <br /> The bill, Senate Docket'1987/House Docket 1298,all <br /> Verizon to bypass local officials completely and would' <br /> requireahe State to grant them a single`state Issued franchise agreement that would allow them to cherry pick'the <br /> communiiies and-even neighborhoods they serve. Under the language ofthe bill,the only recourse a municipality <br /> would have is to take VerizomY -court. The currentsystem;ensures that Verizon must build out`and provide service <br /> and community benefits in each,municipality they'enter,just"as cable companies do: The ironid"ut of this <br /> legislation is tliai Verizon has said multiple times that local franclusmg isnot a barrier for them and that local <br /> officials have welcomed their,entry(see enclosed). <br /> As a company that has worked with in al governments for decades we can speakto how much local officials <br /> like you want cable competition and how ea y the franchising process can be when a provider like'Verizon wants it <br /> to be easy. Verizon doesn't need legislationaRo compete. It already has that ability;and we lmow that municipal' <br /> officials like you are eager for them to enter the market—they have signed 42 franchises so far in Massachusetts. <br /> What Verizon call wants is a special exemption from local regulation. The problem is that it will come'at the <br /> expense"of consumer protections,and community benehis,such'as public access programming,winch are requited of <br /> all other cable providers. <br /> We support local control'of cable franchising; we know its best for Massachusetts consumers and we dedicate the - <br /> staff to work with cities and towns. To oppose thislill,we ask"that you'send a letter'to your state legislative' <br /> delegation and pass a local resolution opposing Verizon's attempt to remove local control,as communities such as <br /> Quincy,Pittsfield and Waltham have done. <br /> If you;feel like you need more information before opposing Verizon'a legislation,we encourage you to contact the <br /> Massachusetts Municipal Association(617 426-7272),consult with'your local public access group or contact me at <br /> 508-477-7738. <br /> Thank you for your attention to this important local control issue. We at Comcast are proud to be a part of your <br /> community. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Mary O'Keeffe <br /> Manager of Government&_Community Relations <br />