Concord PAC says Comcast franchise talks near completion; committee weighs joint executive session with Select Board

At a regular meeting of the Minute Man Media Network / PEG Access Advisory Committee (PAC), members said negotiations over a proposed Comcast franchise agreement appear to be in their final review stage and discussed holding a joint executive session with the Select Board so both bodies can review contract terms before the Select Board’s public hearing and vote.

Committee members described the negotiating parties as having reached agreement on the principal components of a new contract and said the draft is currently under review by town counsel and Comcast counsel. Committee members noted the town and Comcast have previously used successive short extensions while reviewing the contract; one speaker said the current agreement includes repeated 180-day extensions and that the town has used two or three of those extensions already.

Committee discussion focused on process and timing rather than contract substance. Committee members outlined a common sequence used in other communities: the negotiating parties produce a final draft, PAC reviews the document in executive session to see the redline changes relative to the prior agreement, PAC votes to recommend adoption, and the Select Board holds its public hearing and vote. Members noted the Select Board chair controls that board’s agenda and that budget- and warrant-season work may influence when the Select Board can schedule a joint session or public hearing.

Several members asked that counsel confirm whether PAC could be shown the full draft in executive session or instead be briefed only on key elements until counsel and Comcast finish mutual review. Committee members asked that PAC receive a red-lined comparison between the current franchise and the proposed one so members can readily see specific changes. The committee also discussed signature logistics: past agreements were signed by multiple Select Board members rather than a single signature, and one speaker said the prior contract reflected terms that favored the town in several places, which negotiators sought to retain.

Next steps described in the meeting were: (1) confirm with town counsel whether PAC can review the draft document in executive session, (2) coordinate with the Select Board chair and town manager on timing for a joint executive session or public hearing, and (3) circulate the red-line (old vs. new contract) to PAC once counsel permits.