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Select board objects to Cat TV rate hike and will send counteroffer
Summary
Clerk Julie told the board Cat TV moved from an annual fee to a per‑meeting model and increased its per‑meeting production/processing fee from roughly $50 to $75; the board directed the clerk to propose a counteroffer of $60 per meeting and to revisit the contract at the next meeting.
The Bennington Select Board on June 25 questioned a proposed contract increase from the municipality’s public-access television provider and directed staff to submit a counteroffer.
Clerk Julie said the vendor has shifted from an annual or lump-sum arrangement to charging per meeting, raising the per‑meeting processing/production fee from about $50 to $75 and adding a quarterly charge this fiscal year. "When we budgeted for this fiscal year we were paying differently. We had an annual or, you know, six month charge. Now they're charging us per meeting," Julie said, explaining the vendor's pricing change.
Board members said they value having meetings available for residents who lack internet access but expressed concern about a roughly 50% jump in per‑meeting costs. After discussing budget line items and past expenditures, the board agreed to send a counteroffer and instructed Julie to propose $60 per meeting (and to clarify any quarterly charge) and to present the counteroffer for the vendor to consider at the next meeting.
The board also noted some meetings remain available via Zoom and YouTube and that Cat TV historically provided value for residents who cannot access livestreams. No final contract was signed at the June 25 meeting; the counteroffer will be sent and the board will revisit the issue at a subsequent session.
