Cable television is on track to arrive in town by next spring as scheduled, with the Cable Television Advisory Committee reporting zero major roadblocks in ongoing negotiations with Adams-Russell Co. Inc., the franchise holder.
“We’re making pretty good progress in the negotiations with the company,” CATV Advisory Chairman Edward F. McKenna told his colleagues last night. Following an executive session described as an “amicable adversary relationship,” McKenna reported that out of 46 contract sections, 38 have already been successfully resolved through rewrites, substitutions, deletions, or remaining unchanged.
With only one or two sessions remaining before provisional licensing details are finalized, key items still on the bargaining table include negotiating utility pole access and rental fees with the municipal light department to adjust existing wires, as well as finalizing required construction and performance bonds. Under the provisional license, Waltham-based Adams-Russell is granted up to one year to secure federal and state permits and utility agreements—a preliminary phase McKenna estimates could take as little as three months before selectmen issue the full 15-year operating license. Barring unforeseen appeals against the selectmen’s June decision awarding the franchise over six competing bids, McKenna predicted that cable installation could begin by January, with subscribers hooked up and the system fully operational by the spring.
The proposed $2.5 million, 52-channel system promises robust local capabilities, including a fixed full-color production studio, a mobile color television studio, 60 public access outlets connected to local schools and the town hall, and a dedicated staff of two full-time and part-time employees. Projecting an initial subscriber base of 4,000 to 5,000 households paying an average monthly base fee of $15, Adams-Russell anticipates generating over $1 million in revenue by its second year—climbing to $1.4 million by the tenth year as premium options expand—with rates frozen for the first two years of operation.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Norwood Public Access Dedicates Dick Kief TV Studio-January 3, 2013
In a heartfelt dedication ceremony on Thursday, January 3, members of Dick Kief’s family celebrated the unveiling of the TV studio named in his honor at Norwood High School. Scott Murphy, President of the NPA-TV Board of Directors, emphasized Kief’s preference for being called “Dick” rather than Richard or Richard W. The plaque now proudly…
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Lights, Camera, Summer: Norwood Public Access’s Youth Media Program-July 19, 2012
The Lights, Camera, Summer program was a huge success for Norwood Public Access (NPA) and its participants. The program allowed 15 students to learn about video production and create their own content, which was then broadcast on NPA-TV.
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Norwood Public Access Television moves to the Norwood High School-October 10, 2011
Norwood High School is more than just new building for students and faculty to enjoy. It is also the new home of Norwood Public Access Television. NPA-TV made the move into the school in July, and is now operating entirely out of the new Norwood High. “I’m excited about where it is going to bring…
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Board of Selectmen Approves Verizon FiOS Cable Franchise-August 23, 2007
Norwood selectmen approved a cable franchise for Verizon, making it the 55th Massachusetts town to get FiOS and giving residents a third TV provider alongside Comcast and Norwood Light.
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Cablevision Announces Rate Increases for Norwood Subscribers-August 5, 1992
Cable television rates for Norwood residents increased in September 1992 across basic, family, and premium packages as Cablevision simultaneously prepared for a corporate takeover by A-R Cable Services.
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Norwood to Re-Examine Cable Request-July 18, 1992
Norwood was on the cusp of a significant decision regarding its cable television infrastructure. On this fateful day, July 18, 1992, selectmen were poised to take action on a long-delayed and contentious request from the school system for $80,000 to upgrade the high school’s television studio into a community facility. The proposal had been in…
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Norwood High Opens Communications Through TV-December 1, 1991
Course provides on-air education from school studio NORWOOD-At 7:30 a.m. Katy Kale, a high school senior, pasted on a smile, folded her hands, looked straight into the camera and said, “Good morning and welcome to Norwood High School News.” For the last four years, Norwood students have been learning what it takes to be a…
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Norwood Schools Get Backing for Cable TV-July 24, 1991
The Norwood School Committee unanimously voted to pursue a $530,000 federal Even Start grant utilizing cable television to expand early childhood education for Norwood and Westwood.
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$16,600 Grant Equips New Norwood High School Cable Television Studio-August 18, 1987
Norwood Community Television awarded a $16,600 grant to equip a new student-run television studio at Norwood High School, expanding local cable programming and production training.
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Local Cable Television Program “For the Record” Wins National Defense Recognition-August 30, 1986
Norwood cable television program “For the Record,” hosted by Jeff and Debby Briggs, receives a U.S. Defense Department award for featuring the National Guard.
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