A.
The Borough of New Britain finds that the development of cable television
and communications systems has the potential of having great benefit
and impact upon the people of New Britain. Because of the complex
and rapidly changing technology associated with cable television,
the Borough further finds that the public convenience, safety and
general welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory powers
which should be vested in the Borough or such persons as the Borough
shall designate. It is the intent of this chapter and subsequent amendments
to provide for and specify the means to attain the best possible public
interest and public purpose in these matters, and any franchise issued
pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed to include this finding as
an integral part thereof.
B.
Further, it is recognized that cable communications systems have
the capacity to provide not only entertainment and information services
to the Borough's residents, but can provide a variety of broadband,
interactive communications services to institutions and individuals.
Many of these services involve Borough agencies and other public institutions,
by providing governmental, educational or health care communications.
C.
For these purposes, the following goals underlie the regulations
contained herein:
(1)
Communications services should be provided to the maximum number
of Borough residents.
(2)
The system should be capable of accommodating both the present and
reasonably foreseeable future cable communications needs of the Borough.
(3)
The system should be improved and upgraded during the franchise term
so that the new facilities necessary for the operation of this system
shall be integrated to the maximum extent possible with existing facilities.
(4)
The cable communications system authorized by this chapter shall
be responsive to the needs and interests of the local community, and
shall provide a wide diversity of information sources and services
to the public.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "New Britain
Cable Communication Regulatory Ordinance," and it shall become a part
of the ordinances of the Borough.
