EDISON — Though some Edison TV programs are currently streaming on the township’s website, the content is limited.
Township officials said this is the best they can offer while the Township Council considers a resolution that would award a contract for media streaming. The contract is proposed to be awarded to Telvue Corp., a Mount Laurel-based firm that specializes in hyperlocal and community television broadcast delivery. Telvue submitted the lowest bid, in the amount of $7,646, including $4,646 for the purchase of software and hardware and $3,000 for the first year of website streaming and video on demand.
For the time being, the Edison television crew was able to put up some of the programs that are aired on Edison TV, Channel 15, said Bill Stephens, management specialist for the township.
“This is on a limited basis,” Stephens said. “There is no menu capability and there is not much picture quality.”
Stephens said Telvue Corp. will provide the equipment needed to offer the same quality programming that other towns such as East Brunswick provide through their local television stations.
The Township Council has delayed its vote on the contract because its members are seeking greater control over what is streamed on the Internet.
The township administration has proposed the contract with Telvue so that everything that is seen on Channel 15 could be streamed on the Internet. This includes Township Council meetings, planning and zoning board meetings, the “Mayor’s Corner,” and video from various community events.
The council voted unanimously to table the vote on Sept. 26.
Council Vice President Robert Karabinchak said he believes that the council, and not just the administration of Mayor Antonia Ricigliano, should have some say on what information would be deemed adequate for the media and taxpayers.
“Sometimes the information gets skewed and is not exactly the perception and opinion of the council,” he said. “Right now we don’t have any say on what goes on Channel 15.”
Township Attorney Karl Kemm said Edison TV is within the province of the administration, which determines the content.
Councilwoman Melissa Perilstein suggested the creation of an Edison Broadcast Association to oversee the media streaming. She said the group would be made up of people in the community and would act as a board of governors, meeting and developing criteria. She said it would not be the administration or the council making the decisions.