Still no news on new WCCA contract

Here's the latest letter WCCA has received from the City Manager. In short: we're going to have to wait awhile longer for any news on the proposed new WCCA contract.

August 29, 2008
Mr. Mauro DePasquale
Executive Director
WCCA, Inc.
415 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608

Dear Mr. DePasquale:
As you know, the City’s cable contract with Charter Communications was renewed in March of 2008 and includes a capital facilities and equipment payment, as well as an annual franchise fee payment used to fund the City’s public, educational and government (PEG) access entities. Upon execution of the Renewal Cable Television License, I requested that the Cable TV Advisory Committee review the business operations and financial needs of the PEG entities and provide its findings and recommendations to me.

Yesterday I received the Committee’s report and recommendations. These recommendations are the result of a series of public meetings, public testimony, and research of best-practices conducted by the Committee. I am appreciative of the Committee’s work and the cooperation of the PEG entities during this review process.

My administration is in the process of reviewing the recommendations contained in the report. Please know that I intend to submit a draft contract to you for WCCA’s review in advance of the expiration of the September 30th deadline outlined in my report to City Council dated May 20, 2008. I have enclosed a copy of that report for your convenience.

Sincerely,
Michael V. O’Brien
City Manager
cc: William Wood, Chairman Cable Advisory Committee
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER, CITY HALL, WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01608
TELEPHONE (508) 799-1175 FAX (508) 799-1208
EMAIL: citymanager@ci.worcester.ma.us