Advisory committee hears emergency supplemental request as TCTV director outlines montachusett.tv plan

The committee considered Article 8, a supplemental fiscal‑year 2026 appropriation of $22,000 for the cable department/TCTV to cover an operating shortfall and bridge upfront costs for a reimbursable digital‑equity grant.

Cable director Steve Castle told the committee the department is operating a “franken” budget and that a $70,000 reimbursable grant he secured requires the department to front expenses and wait for reimbursement (first reimbursements expected six months after project start). Castle said the cable enterprise had approximately $22,153 in retained earnings after recent payroll and benefit charges and asked the committee to place a $22,000 appropriation on the warrant to avoid running out of cash before reimbursements arrive.

Castle also described montachusett.tv, a regional digital platform developed by the department to generate advertising and other revenue to support TCTV operations. He said the platform is intended to sell bundled advertising and services beyond Templeton to create a sustainable revenue stream and that the department is working with a business incubator and intends to form a nonprofit (Montachusett Digital Lab) to pursue grants and educational programming. Committee members asked for clearer budget breakdowns and for assurance that town‑funded activities would be prioritized if resources become constrained.

At the meeting the committee recorded its advisory recommendation on Article 8 (see “Votes at a glance”).