Lakeville holds early public hearing on Verizon cable franchise renewal; town keeps record open until Oct. 14

The Town of Lakeville held a public hearing Tuesday to begin the Federal Cable Act process of "ascertaining community cable needs" ahead of Verizon New England Inc.'s cable franchise renewal, which expires in May 2028.

Attorney Bill August, the municipal special cable counsel for the town, explained that the hearing's purpose is to collect comments about town-specific public, educational and government (PEG) needs and related operating and capital budgets for local access facilities. "Conceptually, that's all it is," he told the board, urging the town to prepare credible operating and capital budgets for future negotiations.

Several residents and local representatives urged continued support for the town's local meeting coverage, Lakeham. "It's the only way that the residents and people who live here can keep on top of what's happening at the many meetings," resident Noelle Rillo said. A regular speaker associated with the cable advisory committee said Lakeham provides unique, original programming that larger regional affiliates do not cover.

Town and committee representatives said they will prepare annual operating and five‑year capital plans to present to the board. Cable advisory committee members also recommended asking for inflation‑adjusted capital funding in the next contract so the town's support keeps pace with rising costs.

The Select Board voted to set a date-certain to close the hearing and keep the record open for written comments; the board set Oct. 14, 2025, as the hearing close date. The town attorney advised that the formal negotiation with Verizon will typically intensify in the third year before the franchise expiration, and that the early hearing satisfies the federal timing requirement.

The board directed staff to accept written exhibits into the record and to circulate requested operating and capital budget material from Lakeham and the cable advisory committee.