Committee members trade charges over allegations of stalling on the plan.
By: Helen Pettigrew
MONTGOMERY The Township Committee passed a motion to explore televising important township meetings after several residents Thursday spoke in support of the idea.
The motion calls for a temporary solution until the township, which is presently in the refranchising process with current cable provider RCN, can negotiate for permanent television coverage of Township Committee meetings.
"The burden on young families to stay informed and active in the community is a great one," said Ken Reilly, a Barrington Road resident.
Residents suggested low-cost alternatives until the township can work out complimentary coverage with RCN or another cable provider.
Jennifer Wall, a Democratic candidate for Township Committee, read a statement on behalf of herself and fellow Democratic candidate Karen Wintress, who was also at the meeting.
Ms. Wall cited several important discussions that have occurred in the township over the past month, including traffic, taxes and the police department, saying residents could have benefited from these discussions had they been able to view them on TV.
"This summer, for example, the Planning Board will review and pass judgment on major revisions to Montgomery’s Master Plan," Ms. Wall said. "Residents should be given every possible means to tune in to these discussions."
The Planning Board plans to discuss a possible revision to the township Master Plan in the area to the west of the Route 518-Route 206 intersection on June 25.
Ms. Wall said Township Committeewoman Louise Wilson, also a Democrat, has suggested televising committee meetings several times and that other committee members have not "warmed up to the idea."
Township Committeeman Don Matthews later said he took offense at this statement, and said the committee began looking into televising meetings 15 years ago, when it began its first franchise negotiations with RCN.
"We don’t have to wait until we get the contract," Ms. Wilson said. "We don’t have to get it for free which would be ideal."
Ms. Wilson said she thinks RCN charges $75 to tape and broadcast a public seminar.
Also speaking at the meeting was Christine Jensen, a Hillsborough Township committeewoman, who said that before Hillsborough worked out a contract residents volunteered to tape the meetings for broadcast.
"People now feel they can be involved," Ms. Jenson said. "It’s been hugely positive."
At the end of the meeting, and after the motion had been passed, Ms. Wilson said she had invited Ms. Jenson to speak because her previous suggestions to televise the meetings had fallen on deaf ears. Ms. Wilson said she was upset because she felt the other committee members took this effort as a political ploy.
But the other members, including Democratic Committeewoman Ali Henkel, said they had simply misunderstood Ms. Wilson’s previous intentions.
Mayor Sondra Moylan, a Republican, said she thought Ms. Wilson’s prior suggestions referred to the negotiating process with RCN. Ms. Moylan said she did not realize Ms. Wilson hoped for immediate action because Ms. Wilson never put forth a motion to research televising the meetings prior to the RCN contract agreement. Ms.Henkel and Mr. Matthews said they had thought the same thing.
In related business, Mayor Moylan, who is also a member of the Cable Television Committee, announced that she will contact Comcast cable television to inquire if the company has an interest in installing a cable system in Montgomery.
The township had passed an ordinance in February allowing Cablevision to become the township’s second cable franchise, but Cablevision later withdrew its application.