The Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee and the Grafton Cable Advisory Committee get many questions regarding the cable services provided to the town.

Here is a summary of the most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact the Committees at the mailing address below.

• What is a cable television license?
• Who currently provides cable television service in Grafton?
• How long has cable television been available in Grafton?
• Where can I find a copy of the Charter Communications cable television license with the Town of Grafton?
• Why is the Town opening negotiations with Charter Communications to renew their cable television license?
• When will I be able to get Verizon TV service?
• Will I be able to get Verizon TV service in all areas of Grafton?
• What does the Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee do for the cable subscriber? What is the difference between the Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee and the Grafton Cable Advisory Committee. Who are the members of each committee?
• How do I get service if I have a problem with my Charter cable television?
• I've had a problem for a long time that Charter Communications hasn't been able to solve. What else can I do to get resolution?
• What is Grafton Community Television?
• Who should I contact if I have questions about cable television in Grafton?

1. What is a cable television license?
The Town of Grafton may issue a cable television license under Chapter 166A of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the licensing regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable. The license is also subject to the Federal Law as determined by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law No. 104-104 and the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The cable television license grants a Licensee the right to construct and operate a cable television communications system in the Town.

2. Who currently provides cable television service in Grafton?
Charter Communications Entertainment I, L.L.C. (Charter Communications) provides cable television service in the Town of Grafton. The company has a business office located at 296 Providence Road in South Grafton. The business office telephone is 508-839-3244. Business office hours are from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is closed during the lunch hour from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM daily.

3. How long has cable television been available in Grafton?
The Town of Grafton issued a cable television license to Greater Media Cable Company in 1982. The cable television service started in 1983. The current cable television license with Charter Communications was approved by the Town on September 21, 2000 and expires at midnight on September 20, 2010.

4. Where can I find a copy of the Charter Communications cable television license with the Town of Grafton?
Copies of the current cable television license agreement between the Town of Grafton and Charter Communications can be found on-line at: http://www.town.grafton.ma.us/Public_Documents/GraftonMA_BComm/cable/CATVLicense.html

5. Why is the Town opening negotiations with Charter Communications to renew their cable television license?
Under federal law, within three years of the end of the current (10 year) cable television license, either the Town of Grafton or Charter Communications may request that cable television license renewal negotiations begin. The Grafton Board of Selectmen, on the advice of the Grafton Cable Advisory Committee, have recently requested that Charter Communications begin negotiations on a cable television license renewal.

6. When will I be able to get Verizon TV service?
At the request of Verizon Communications, on October 16th the Grafton Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to begin licensing negotiations with Verizon. A letter was then sent by the Board of Selectmen to the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable to confirm the start of the new licensing process. By law, a new (not renewal) cable television license is supposed to be negotiated within 12 months. However, recent cable television licenses authorized by Massachusetts communities (such as Westboro) with Verizon have taken more than one year to negotiate. Interconnection agreements between two or more cable companies in a community can be complicated and will often require additional negotiation time. At the October 16th Grafton Selectmen's meeting Verizon representatives said that for homes served by standard aerial cable, their cable television service may be ready to begin operations within 30 to 60 days of the Town and Verizon finalizing the cable television license. Verizon may require significant additional time to activate cable service to homes served by underground wire, or homes in certain multiple-dwelling buildings.

7. Will I be able to get Verizon TV service in all areas of Grafton?
That is to be negotiated as part of the license agreement between Verizon and the Town. However, as stated by Verizon representatives at the October 16th Selectmen's meeting, Verizon plans to service the entire town of Grafton with their FIOS cable television service. It is important to note however, that service to subdivisions that have underground infrastructure and multi-unit buildings may take some additional time.

8. What does the Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee do for the cable subscriber? What is the difference between the Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee and the Grafton Cable Advisory Committee. Who are the members of each committee?
The Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee (GCTOC) is an official, standing town committee appointed by the town's cable license issuing authority, the Grafton Board of Selectmen. The Cable Television Oversight Committee roles are to inform and educate the public about cable television services, assess the cable needs of the community and to communicate and meet with cable company representatives to discuss matters of mutual interest. Also, to report to the Board of Selectmen on company compliance with the licenses, supervise the companies' responses to complaints and respond to citizen's questions regarding the cable systems, keep abreast of community programming issues, oversee the Cable Fund and its use, and deal with other cable related matters.

The Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee is made up of volunteer members. Current members of the Oversight Committee are Bob Hassinger, Chairman, Mark Durfee, Vice Chairman, members Ron Fairhurst, Rick Schultze and Corson Wyman. William Robidoux is an ex-officio member of the committee. The Oversight Committee meets on a monthly basis at the Grafton Community Television Studios at 296 Providence Road in South Grafton. Meeting schedules and times can be found on line on the Town of Grafton's web site at: http://www.town.grafton.ma.us/Public_Documents/GraftonMA_Calendar/?formid=158.

The Grafton Cable Advisory Committee (CAC) is a three member volunteer committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen specifically established for the negotiation of the cable licenses. The CAC's term extends through completion of the renewal process for the current Charter Communications license, as well as licensing processes for other applications submitted during that time frame including Verizon. Current members of the Cable Advisory Committee are Bob Hassinger, Chairman, Peter Carlson and Mark Weinberg, Clerk. The Cable Advisory Committee meets on an as needed basis at the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center at 30 Providence Road.

Additional information on the Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee and the Grafton Cable Advisory Committee can be found at the Town of Grafton website under Boards and Commissions, http://www.town.grafton.ma.us/Public_Documents/GraftonMA_BComm/cable/CATVcomm2 and http://www.town.grafton.ma.us/Public_Documents/GraftonMA_BComm/cable/CAC or at the Grafton Community Television website: www.GraftonTV.org

9. How do I get service if I have a problem with my Charter cable television?
You can call the local Grafton office of Charter Communications during regular business hours at 508-839-3244 or call Charter's Customer Service line 24 hours a day at 1-800-955-9515.

10. I've had a problem for a long time that Charter Communications hasn't been able to solve. What else can I do to get resolution?
Document your specific problem and the steps you and the cable company have taken to date on the issue. Forward this in writing to the Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee at the Grafton Municipal Center, 30 Providence Road, Grafton, MA. 01519. The Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee is chartered to act as customer advocate for the Grafton cable customer.

You can also register complaints with the:

Massachusetts Cable Commission
100 Cambridge Street, 2nd Floor, Room 203, Boston, MA. 02202
617-727-6925

11. What is Grafton Community Television?
Federal law provides that as part of the provisions of a cable television license, towns may require the cable operator to provide what the Telecommunications Act of 1996 calls "public, educational, or government (PEG) access" channels on the local channel lineup, for use by citizens, school districts and municipalities. In Massachusetts, many such existing agreements also require that certain equipment and funding be given to the towns.

Grafton Community Television provides programming on three distinct public access channels in the Town of Grafton. Channel 11 provides general interest (public access) programming, Channel 12 broadcasts town government programming, and Channel 13 features school programming and high school sports events. Monthly schedules for Grafton Community Television Channels 11, 12 and 13 can be found at www.GraftonTV.org. The Grafton Community Television studios and offices are located at 296 Providence Road in South Grafton.

12. Who should I contact if I have questions about cable television in Grafton?
For questions about cable television, contact the Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee and the Grafton Cable Advisory Committee by writing to the committees c/o:

Grafton Cable Television Oversight Committee / Grafton Cable Advisory Committee
Town of Grafton
Memorial Municipal Center
30 Providence Road
Grafton, Massachusetts 01519