Section 53-C:3-a Franchise Applicant Considerations.
No municipality shall grant a franchise for cable service to a cable system within its jurisdiction without first, at a duly noticed public hearing, having considered:
I. The financial ability of the franchise applicant to perform.
II. The ability of the applicant to provide adequate and technically sound facilities, equipment and signal quality.
III. Adequate channel capacity and appropriate facilities for public, educational, or governmental use, taking into account available technology, subscriber interest, and cost.
IV. The prohibition of discrimination among customers of basic service.
V. Reasonable service quality in terms of available technology, subscriber interest, and cost.
VI. Construction and installation which conforms to all applicable state and federal laws and regulations and the National Electric Safety Code.
VII. A competent staff able to provide prompt, adequate service and to respond comprehensively to customer complaints or problems.
VIII. Reasonable rules and policies for line extensions and disconnects, customer deposits, and billing practices.
Source. 1989, 338:3, eff. Aug. 1, 1989.