Haverford commissioners approve Verizon cable franchise, multiple ordinances and contracts

The Haverford Township Board of Commissioners voted on July 13 to approve a cable franchise agreement with Verizon Pennsylvania LLC and a suite of other routine and non‑routine municipal actions.

The board passed resolution 2488‑2026 authorizing the Verizon agreement after a presentation by Daniel S. Cohen of Cohen Law Group, who summarized the key terms. Cohen said the franchise would keep a 5% franchise fee, but broaden the definition of ‘‘gross revenues’’ to include about 27 revenue sources (compared with 13 in the current Verizon contract), which the township attorney said should increase franchise fee revenue. The agreement provides a fixed, $55,000 grant payable in five equal installments over the five‑year term and requires Verizon to carry township channels in high definition and at commercial quality. The contract also tightens audit accountability — including a four‑year lookback and an audit‑reimbursement clause for underpayments exceeding 5% (up to $8,000) — and adds liquidated damages ($275 per day up to $20,000) to enforce performance, Cohen said.

Cohen noted two provisions that are less favorable to the township: the term is five years (the Comcast agreement negotiated last year was 10 years), and Verizon insisted on a unilateral termination clause allowing Verizon to end the franchise with one year’s written notice. Commissioner Holmes said the agreement contains new protections and concessions that appear favorable overall, and the resolution passed by voice vote.

Also on the consent and business agenda, the board:

- Adopted three traffic ordinances (second readings) to install and remove special‑purpose parking zones at locations including 4 West Mercer Ave., 727 Humphreys Ave. and 2220 Bryn Mawr Ave.; motions carried. - Approved appointment of Kevin Wilson to the Zoning Hearing Board for the term ending Dec. 31, 2030. - Approved a revision to the township’s Act 537 sewage facilities plan (resolution 24‑89‑2026). - Approved warrant number 7 for $6,297,905.64 covering payrolls and fund disbursements. - Rescinded a conditional award and then awarded the 2026 road paving program to Glasgow Inc., the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $1,205,989.05. - Awarded the bus‑depot retaining‑wall repair to James R. Kenny Excavating & Paving Inc., $90,000. - Awarded a professional services contract for a structured chief‑of‑police search to Aspirant Consulting Group LLC for $20,450 (the record shows one commissioner recorded a ‘‘no’’ vote). - Awarded Paddock Park pickleball‑court resurfacing to Top A Court, $53,475, and approved purchase of 10 benches for Polo Field, $18,055.

The board president said contracts and appointment paperwork will move forward with the indicated vendors and that staff will proceed with implementation steps on awarded contracts. Cohen’s presentation and the board’s vote conclude the township’s review phase; the township manager and solicitor will handle execution and administrative follow‑up.

What happens next: the Verizon franchise will be executed between the township and Verizon, town staff will monitor compliance with audit and customer‑service standards, and the awarded contractors will be scheduled for their scope of work per procurement timelines.