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Trustees weigh Verizon franchise changes, question 1% fee for NorthShore TV; plan executive‑session review
Summary
Flower Hill trustees heard a Verizon franchise presentation and raised concerns about a proposed 1% cable fee earmarked for NorthShore TV; the board said it will review legal specifics in executive session and hold the required public hearing.
The Village of Flower Hill Board of Trustees on May 5 discussed proposed changes to Verizon's franchise agreement and expressed concern about an added 1% cable fee earmarked for NorthShore TV.
Trustees described Verizon's proposal — reported at a recent public session at Great Neck South Middle School — to shorten franchise terms from 15 years to five and to set a 3% franchise fee on traditional cable television subscriptions that would be payable to villages, plus an additional 1% tied to NorthShore TV. Several trustees questioned whether adding a 1% charge on residents' cable bills was appropriate given uncertain local viewership and declining traditional cable subscriptions.
The board noted legal details that require review and moved to discuss them in executive session. Trustees also said state law requires a public hearing on the franchise and set a timeline to meet statutory notice and decision deadlines; no vote on the franchise occurred at the May 5 meeting.
Trustees asked counsel to brief them on legal implications and on whether the village should accept the proposed fee structure or seek different terms. The board did not adopt franchise terms and will revisit the matter after the executive‑session legal review and the required public hearing.
