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Mineola trustees approve 15-year cable franchise with Optimum
Summary
The Village of Mineola Board of Trustees unanimously approved a 15-year cable franchise agreement with Cablevision Systems Long Island Corporation (Optimum), extending the company's right to operate in village rights-of-way and securing municipal benefits including free service to public buildings and PEG support.
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Mineola on June 11 unanimously approved a 15-year cable franchise agreement with Cablevision Systems Long Island Corporation, doing business as Optimum, giving the company the federal and state rights to install and maintain a cable system within the village.
Samantha Pardell Jerez, director of government affairs for Optimum, told the board, "A cable franchise agreement gives the company the federal and state rights to install and maintain a cable system within the franchise area, which is the municipality of the village of Mineola." She said the company was seeking a 15-year term and that the previous agreement expired April 16, 2025; under state law Optimum had continued operating under the expired agreement's terms.
Pardell Jerez described benefits to the village including free cable access to municipal buildings and public schools, a public, education and government (PEG) channel used to broadcast meetings, and a provision for grant money to support PEG operations. There were no questions from the board and no public comments before trustees moved to approve the agreement.
Deputy Mayor Sartori made the motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Casado; the roll call recorded votes in favor from Trustee Clark, Deputy Mayor Sartori, Trustee Scott, Trustee Casado and Mayor Guerrero. The motion carried and the agreement was approved.
The approval authorizes the mayor to execute the franchise contract. The board did not amend the agreement during the meeting and gave no additional direction to staff.
