Fayette City council agrees to cable contract
FAYETTE CITY – Council agreed to extend the current 10-year contract with Charter Communications, which expired March 31, to provide cable services to the borough for the next six months. On Monday, council heard from Jim Corrin, a representative from Charter Communications, about the possibility of the borough signing a 12-year, non-exclusive franchise contract with Charter Communications.
Corrin said that the contract did not legally bind the borough to only allow for Charter Communications to be the exclusive cable provider for the borough.
He said that the borough could elect to receive up to five percent business service revenue from the company for allowing them to provide services to residents of the borough.
Mayor Herb Vargo asked Corrin what the projected rate increases would be for residents. Corrin said that Charter Communications typically charges a three to five percent annual increase in rates for expanded basic service, which includes channels 2-98, and digital service, which includes channels up to and past 98.
Corrin said that under the 1998 Cable Act the only service that is regulated by the Federal Government is the limited basic cable, which includes channels 2-23 and costs $15.95 a month.
Jim Eley, council president, said the borough would have solicitor Simon John review the contract before making any decision.
In the meantime, the borough agreed to a six-month extension with Charter Communications until Sept. 30.
Council member, Charles Mirabella said that he has been exploring alternatives to cable and he has been in contact with representatives from Dish Network, a television satellite provider.
He said he is trying to arrange for a public meeting sometime this month with Dish Network representatives to provide residents with information about the system.
In other business, Eley said that the borough received a $100,000 check for a grant secured through state Rep. Peter Daley’s (D-California) office for the gabion wall project on Brightwell Drive. He said that the borough has also received $10,000 grant secured through Sen. Richard Kasunic’s (D-Dunbar) office for the project as well.