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Select Board approves memorandum of understanding with Brookline Interactive Group to support hybrid meetings and public media
Summary
The Select Board approved a standard MOU with Brookline Interactive Group (BIG) that formalizes BIG’s support for public education/government channels and hybrid‑meeting AV services; board members discussed BIG’s funding sustainability amid declining franchise fee revenue and directed staff to tie next steps to upcoming franchise renewals.
Brookline Interactive Group (BIG) Executive Director Jessica Smiser presented a memorandum of understanding that formalizes BIG’s services to the town — including support for public education and government (PEG) channels and hybrid‑meeting audio/visual support. The MOU sets an explicit annual allocation ($40,000 cited for hybrid services/AV support) and ties the agreement’s near‑term horizon to pending franchise renewals with Comcast (expiring April 30, 2026) and RCN (expiring April 27, 2028).
Board members and staff discussed the sustainability of BIG’s revenue model. BIG’s funding is largely derived from franchise fees, which are tied to subscriber counts for cable services; those revenues are declining in many places as consumers shift to streaming. Smiser explained she plans to diversify revenues with grant applications, community donations, and earned revenue (training and professional development) and intends to tie future MOU terms to franchise‑agreement negotiations. Staff said the MOU was drafted to be revisited in advance of franchise renewals so capital and operating support can be renegotiated.
The board approved the MOU, noting the operational importance of BIG for meeting access (particularly for hybrid town meeting and remote participation) and asked BIG to provide regular updates on capacity and any technology shortfalls. Town staff said the MOU includes references to existing license agreements for use of school spaces by BIG and that AV support for school committee meetings is included in the hybrid services scope.
Outcome: the Select Board voted to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the MOU with BIG and directed staff to continue work on franchise‑linked funding and technical capacity building.
