This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Springfield Cable Communications Ordinance."
A.
The Township of Springfield finds that the development
of cable television systems has the potential of having a great benefit
to and positive impact on the people of Springfield. Because of the
complex and rapidly changing technologies associated with cable television,
the township also finds that public convenience, safety and general
welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory powers vested
in the township or such persons as the township so designates. Further,
the township recognizes that cable television systems have the capacity
to provide not only entertainment and information services to township
residents, but also a variety of broadband, interactive services to
township agencies and other institutions. For these purposes, the
following goals, among others, underlie the provisions set forth in
this chapter:
(1)
Cable services should be available to as many township
residents as possible.
(2)
A cable system should be capable of accommodating
both the present and reasonably foreseeable future cable-related needs
of the community.
(3)
A cable system should be constructed and maintained
during the franchise term so that new components may be integrated
to the maximum extent possible into existing system facilities.
(4)
A cable television system should be responsive to
the needs and interests of the local community.
B.
The township intends that all provisions set forth
in this chapter be construed to serve the public interest and the
foregoing public purposes and that any franchise issued pursuant to
this chapter be construed to include the foregoing findings and public
purposes as integral parts thereof.
