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Select Board approves renewal framework for Acton TV MOA, recommends Town Meeting endorsement for a long term term
Summary
The Select Board approved a renewal MOA with Acton TV framed as a three‑year agreement with an option for a seven‑year extension subject to Town Meeting approval, formalizing in‑kind programming hours and continued meeting coverage while staff confirm coverage details with the school committee and finance committee.
The Select Board approved a renewal memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Acton TV on Nov. 17, adopting a staff‑recommended approach to a long‑term relationship while incorporating legal counsel’s guidance on contract duration.
Town counsel advised that the town lacks unilateral authority to enter 10‑year service contracts for general services; staff therefore proposed a three‑year agreement with a seven‑year extension conditioned on Town Meeting approval. The draft codifies continuing coverage of government meetings, provides up to 10 hours per week of additional programming/communications support (and more if Acton TV has capacity), and clarifies franchise/franchise‑fee flows and PEG grant usage.
Board members asked staff to confirm whether Acton TV has separate agreements with the Acton‑Boxborough Regional School District and whether finance‑committee coverage and other government forums are included in the codified meeting list. The board voted to approve the draft MOA as amended and instructed staff to bring the agreement to Town Meeting for authorization of a longer term extension if desired.
Next steps: staff will finalize MOA language to reflect Town Meeting extension language and clarify which government meetings are included, then present the article for Town Meeting consideration if the board pursues a 10‑year extension.
