Source: https://ecode360.com/6323784
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 23:00:06+00:00

Document:
§ 185-1 Findings; legislative intent.
§ 185-2 Definitions and word usage.
§ 185-3 Authority to grant telecommunications franchises and/or licenses.
§ 185-4 Use of the public rights-of-way.
§ 185-5 Issuance of permit.
§ 185-6 Submission of application for franchise or license.
§ 185-7 Factors for review of application.
§ 185-8 Procedure for consideration of applications.
§ 185-9 Negotiation of agreement.
§ 185-10 Procedure for action on applications.
§ 185-11 Terms and conditions of franchises or licenses.
§ 185-17 Penalties for offenses.
The Town of Poughkeepsie ("the Town") has the authority to grant franchises and/or licenses for the use and occupancy of public rights-of-way. The Town has determined that these rights-of-way are valuable public resources that have required, and will continue to require, prudent management by the Town.
The Town finds that the enactment of a Telecommunications and Public Rights-of-Way Management Law will have a beneficial impact on all citizens of the Town. Competition among telecommunications providers is increasing due to advancements in technology, changes in federal and state law and increased demand for such services from Town residents, businesses, educational institutions, governmental offices and other public and private institutions. Many telecommunications providers must utilize public rights-of-way in order to operate and would otherwise be required to invest substantial capital and incur substantial expense. The Town further finds that the public convenience, safety and general welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory powers and procedures to protect public rights-of-way, ensure the orderly development of a telecommunications infrastructure which effectively serves the current and future needs of the Town, while at the same time not erecting barriers which prohibit or effectively prohibit entry by, or competition among, telecommunications providers operating within the Town.
The Town desires to structure and implement a fair and orderly process for the granting and renewal of franchises and/or licenses to occupy and use public rights-of-way and to provide telecommunications services in the Town, including the negotiation of terms and conditions to protect the public interest consistent with applicable law. Consistent with applicable law, the Town desires to recover the Town's costs of maintaining and managing the public rights-of-way, to obtain fair and reasonable compensation from telecommunications providers for the use of Town rights-of-way, and a manage its public rights-of-way on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis.
The Town desires to minimize inconvenience and disruption to the public, to provide for the orderly and efficient use of its public rights-of-way now and in the future, and to preserve adequate capacity for existing and future uses of its public rights-of-way. The Town intends to exercise, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, its authority with respect to the regulation of the occupation and use of its public rights-of-way by telecommunications providers.
There is an orderly process for granting or renewal of franchises or licenses.
Each person who falls into one or more of the following categories: any person having, directly or indirectly, a controlling interest in the applicant; any person in which the applicant has, directly or indirectly, a controlling interest; each officer, director, joint venture or joint venture partner of the applicant; and any person, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, directly or indirectly, the applicant; provided that such affiliated person shall in no event mean the Town, or any creditor of the applicant solely by virtue of its status as a creditor and not otherwise an affiliated person.
Any person that applies for a franchise and/or license pursuant to this chapter.
A request for a franchise and/or license to use the Town rights-of-way. An application includes all written documentation, verbal statements and representations, in whatever form or forum, made by an applicant to the Town.
"Cable services" as defined in the Communications Act of 1984, as amended by the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992, and the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and as may be further amended from time to time (the "Cable Act").
This chapter and all modifications and amendments hereto.
Any person receiving service provided by a franchisee pursuant to he authority of a franchise.
The poles, wires, cables, electrical conductors, conduits, fiber-optic cables, subways, manholes, hand holes, junction boxes, terminal blocks, fixtures, appliances, headend, backbone, hubs, concentrators, nodes and any other control and/or communications equipment and appurtenances that are used to provide telecommunications services.
Any tangible component of a telecommunications system, including equipment.
The initial authorization, or renewal thereof, issued by the Town in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, for the nonexclusive right and authority to install, construct, maintain and operate any part of a telecommunications system and to provide telecommunications services to customers with the Town through use of Town rights-of-way. The franchise agreement shall describe in detail all requirements applicable to the franchise.
A holder of a franchise granted pursuant to this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "franchisee" shall include any licensee holding a license granted pursuant to this chapter.
Recoveries of bad debts previously written off and revenues from the sale or assignment of bad debts. Unrecovered bad debts charged off after diligent, unsuccessful efforts to collect are excludable from gross revenues. All revenues from penalties of charges to customers from checks returned from banks, net of bank costs paid, shall also be gross revenue.
An initial authorization or renewal thereof, issued by the Town in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, which authorizes the limited occupation and use of specifically identified rights-of-way, provided that a license shall be issued only in the limited circumstances set forth in § 185-4C of this chapter.
A holder of a license granted pursuant to this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "franchisee" shall include any licensee holding a license granted pursuant to this chapter.
A telecommunications facility consisting of a set of transmission paths and associated signal generation, reception, and control equipment that is designed to provide cable service, which includes video programming, which is provided to multiple subscribers within a community, and which the Federal Communications Commission or its successor has certified as compliant with Part 76 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission, 47 CFR Part 76, as amended from time to time.
Any individual or any association, firm, partnership, joint venture, corporation or other legally recognized entity, whether for profit or not for profit, but not the Town.
The surface of, and the space above and below, any public street, highway, freeway, bridge, land path, lane, concourse, tunnel, waterway, public grounds or waters, alley, court, boulevard, sidewalk, parkway, way, lane, public way, drive, circle, or other public right-of-way, including, but not limited to, public utility easements, dedicated utility strips or rights-of-way dedicated for compatible uses, any other public property or place belonging to the Town or any special districts of the Town as the same now exist or may hereafter be extended or altered, and any temporary or permanent fixtures or improvements located thereon now or hereafter held by the Town which shall entitle the Town and franchisee to the use thereof for the purpose of installing, operating, repairing, and maintaining the system. "Public rights-of-way" shall also mean any easements now or hereafter held by the Town for the purpose of public travel, or for utility or public service use dedicated for compatible uses, and shall include other easements or public rights-of-way as shall within their proper use and meaning entitle the Town and franchisee to the use thereof for the purposes of installing or transmitting the franchisee's telecommunications services over poles, wires, cables, conductors, ducts, conduits, vaults, manholes, amplifiers, appliances, attachments, and other property as may be ordinarily necessary and pertinent to the system.
All transmissions of voice or electronic data, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user's choosing without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received.
Any applicant who owns, leases, installs, constructs, operates or maintains equipment in the Town rights-of-way used to provide telecommunications services regardless of whether such telecommunications systems originates, terminates, or merely passes through the Town.
The offering of telecommunications for hire to the public, or to such classes of users as to be effectively available to the public, by means of the telecommunication system of the franchisee or any affiliated person in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law. Telecommunications services shall not include "cable service," as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 522(6), and service as an open video system provider pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 573.
A telecommunications provider's system of cables, wires, lines, towers, amplifiers, antennas, wave guides, optical fibers, microwaves, laser beams, any associated converters, and all other electronic devices; equipment, real property (including interests in real property), tangible and intangible personal property, customer lists or buildings, offices, plants and facilities designed and constructed for the purpose of producing, receiving, amplifying or distributing telecommunications to provide telecommunications services. This definition shall be limited to systems providing audio, video, data, voice and signaling communications services.
The Town of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York as now incorporated and including any special districts or improvement areas of the Town of Poughkeepsie therein and all future annexations. "Town" shall include the Town Board and all associated departments.
The governing body of the Town.
The use of directional boring, horizontal drilling and microtunneling and other techniques in the construction of underground facilities which result in the least possible disruption and damage to public rights-of-way.
All lines, cables, conduits, posts, tanks and other facilities owned or operated by persons other than the Town which are located wholly or partially underneath public rights-of-way.
Any tree, bush, shrub, vine or other foliage.
In this chapter, the above-defined terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings set forth in this section, unless the context clearly indicates that another meaning is intended. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is mandatory and "may" is permissive.
The Town Board is empowered and authorized to issue nonexclusive franchises and/or licenses to install, construct, operate and maintain telecommunications systems in the public rights-of-way, as well as to regulate these activities to the extent permitted by law.
No person shall use or occupy the public rights-of-way as a telecommunications provider, nor shall he/she install, construct, operate or maintain equipment in the rights-of-way to provide telecommunications services to customers or in connection with the internal operations of such person's business, residence or employment without a franchise and/or license granted by the Town.
A franchise and/or a license granted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to grant any rights or authorization to provide cable services in the Town, and any person seeking to provide cable services in the Town shall first obtain a separate franchise or license in accordance with applicable law. A franchisee shall not allow any other person to use its telecommunications system to provide cable services unless such person has been granted a franchise to provide cable services by the Town.
A telecommunications provider may not provide open video services or operate an open video system within the Town unless such provider has first obtained a separate open video franchise from the Town.
The Town Board reserves the right to modify any provision of this chapter by amendment hereof.
The granting of any franchise and/or license shall be made by adoption of a separate resolution by the Town Board and shall be on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the separate resolution and/or in the franchise and/or license agreement between the Town and the franchisee.
Any franchise and/or license granted shall be nonexclusive. The Town specifically reserves the right to grant, at any time, such additional franchises, licenses, or other authorizations for use of the public rights-of-way as the Town deems appropriate.
A franchise and/or license may be granted for all or any defined portion of the Town.
No license or franchise shall stop or otherwise limit the Town in the full exercise of its governmental powers to protect the health and safety of the public, and all other governmental powers may be fully exercised except as expressly provided herein.
It shall be the responsibility of each franchisee to comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations and other directives of the Town and any federal, state or local governmental authority having jurisdiction.
In addition, all use of the public rights-of-way shall conform to all federal, state or local highway and drainage laws. Any repair to, or replacement of, any part of the Town infrastructure must be done in accordance with the applicable Town standards or specifications. To minimize the impact on the Town infrastructure, trenchless technology shall be the preferred method of installation.
A license is required for those applicants who wish to utilize certain public rights-of-way to install, construct, operate, or maintain their telecommunications system in the Town solely for the purpose of transitting the Town and without generating income from sources within the Town; or when the use or occupation of such public rights-of-way is for or in connection with the internal operations of the applicant's business, residence or employment and not for, or in connection with, the provision or offering of telecommunications services for sale or resale to any person.
Those applicants who wish to use the public rights-of-way and will be providing telecommunications services within the Town shall be required to obtain a franchise with the Town for such use.
No permits or other authorizations for the activities identified in § 185-3B shall be issued prior to the granting of a franchise or license pursuant to this chapter.
No person shall install, construct, repair and/or maintain any equipment in the public rights-of-way used to provide telecommunications services without first obtaining such permits or other authorizations as may be required by the Town Code for such activity. The franchisee shall pay all applicable fees for Town construction permits.
An application is required to obtain a franchise and/or license to install, construct, operate or maintain any telecommunications system within the Town, to expand a franchisee's or licensee's current permitted territory or to obtain renewal of a telecommunications franchise and/or license granted pursuant to this chapter.
An applicant must complete the required application, which may be obtained from the Town Clerk.
Five copies of the completed application for a franchise and/or license shall be submitted to the Town Board. Additional copies of the application shall also be provided to the Town Highway Superintendent and the Town Engineer for review.
An engineer's estimate outlining the estimated costs of the proposed project.
At the time of filing the application, a nonrefundable application fee shall be paid to the Town Clerk. The amount of all fees shall be in accordance with a fee schedule established by the Town Board and in effect at the time of application.
The terms and conditions of the proposed franchise agreement or license.
Consistent with applicable law, the Town may take into consideration whether the Town rights-of-way have sufficient capacity to accommodate existing and future uses in a rational and efficient manner.
The Town may reject any application which is incomplete or otherwise fails to comply with applicable law, ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations and other directives of the Town and any federal, state or local authority having jurisdiction.
The Town may make such investigations and take or authorize the taking of such other steps as the Town deems necessary or appropriate in considering and acting on applications for franchises or licenses and to determine whether a franchise or license should be granted to an applicant, and may require the applicant to furnish additional information and data for this purpose. In considering an application, the Town Board may seek advice from Town officials, other departments, agencies, boards, commissions or bodies, from such other advisory bodies as the Town Board may establish or determine appropriate, and may request the preparation of one or more reports to be submitted to the Town Board, which may include recommendations with respect to the applications.
Where the Town Board uses the services of private consultants for the purpose of engineering, environmental or legal reviews concerning application, or plans for construction of a telecommunications system, and other matters related thereto, the applicant shall be responsible for payment of the costs of such services. In no event shall the applicant's responsibility be greater than the actual cost of the Town for such consulting services. Periodic monetary deposits may be required from the applicant, on account with the Town, from which the Town may make payments to such consultants for services rendered, after approval of consultants' vouchers by the Town Board.
If an application is complete and otherwise complies with applicable law, ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations and other directives of the Town, including the provisions of this chapter, the Town may enter into negotiations with the applicant to determine whether he/she is able to reach agreement on the terms of the proposed franchise or license. The reaching of a proposed agreement shall be a condition precedent to final action by the Town Board on the application.
Prior to final approval, the applicant shall provide a faithful performance bond, secured by a letter of credit, cash deposit or equivalent acceptable to the Town, for the Town to cover the cost associated with the restoration of the public rights-of-way and affected Town utilities.
Prior to the issuance of a franchise or license, the Town Board shall hold a public hearing, on at least seven days' notice to the public, at which the applicant and its application shall be examined and the public and all interested parties afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
Consistent with applicable law, upon completion of the steps deemed appropriate by the Town Board, the Town Board may grant or deny the franchise or license, and may specify the conditions under which the franchise or license is granted. The grant of a license or franchise shall be conditioned on the signing of a franchise agreement.
After a complete application has been submitted to the Town by the applicant and the franchise or license has been granted, the application, with an attached complete set of preliminary plans and specifications, shall be delivered by the franchisee to the Town Highway Department and the Town Engineer for review prior to the issuance of any permits for construction under this franchise or license. This provision shall also apply to each subsequent construction sequence if the construction is to be completed in phases. Maps shall be paper prints, 24 inches by 36 inches in size, and to a scale no smaller than 50 feet per inch. The franchisee shall also provide an engineer's estimate of cost of its proposed project to the Town Highway Department. This department shall then forward comments to the franchisee. The franchisee shall then address the Town's comments, or if franchisee disagrees with such comments, the franchisee can request a meeting with the Highway Superintendent and the Town Engineer to explain why the changes requested in the comments are not necessary. The final determination as to changes lies with the Town Highway Superintendent.
A performance bond modified to meet any changes required by the Town.
Permits required. The franchisee shall apply for and obtain all permits necessary for installation, construction, repair, and maintenance of any such facilities, and for excavation and placing of any and all telecommunications system facilities within the public rights-of-way. The franchisee shall pay all applicable fees for Town construction permits. The initial highway permit required by the Town Code will allow for the installation and construction of the franchisee's telecommunications system.
Within 30 days after the franchisee's construction in the public rights-of-way is completed, the franchisee shall provide the Town with a map showing the location of its installed telecommunications system in the public rights-of-way, as-built. Such "as-built" maps shall be paper prints, 22 inches by 34 inches in size, and to a scale no smaller than 50 feet per inch. If requested by the Town, the franchisee shall also provide such maps in an electronic format compatible with any digital mapping standard the Town may adopt.
One year after the effective date of said franchise agreement or license, and annually thereafter and in the event of any alterations, the franchisee shall provide a map to the Town, which shall conform to Town standards as listed above or as later adopted, showing the location of the franchisee's telecommunications system in the public rights-of-way.
The Town prefers subterranean installation of facilities within the public rights-of-way or use of existing aboveground facilities. The franchisee shall make all efforts to comply with the Town's policies and regulations in this regard.
Prior to doing underground work, the franchisee must apply for, and obtain, appropriate permits from the Town. The franchisee may not make excavations in the public rights-of-way for any facilities needed for the installation, construction, repair and maintenance of the franchisee's telecommunications system except to the extent allowed by permit or permits issued by the Town.
Prior to excavation, all existing underground facilities shall be located using the Underground Facilities Protective Organization (UFPO) or successors thereto. The franchisee or licensee shall be responsible for all necessary notifications.
In addition, all use of the public rights-of-way shall conform to all federal, state, or local laws. Any repair to, or replacement of, any Town infrastructure must also be done in accordance with the Town Code and must be inspected by the Highway Superintendent for conformance. In the case of subterranean installation, and to minimize the impact on the Town infrastructure, trenchless technology shall be the preferred method of installation.
All excavations or other construction in the public rights-of-way shall be carried on so as to interfere as little as practicable with the use of public and private property and in accordance with any direction given by the Town under the police and regulatory powers of the Town.
After such construction is completed, additional highway permits must be obtained for any necessary repairs or maintenance of the franchisee's telecommunications system requiring access to the underground facilities.
Emergency repairs. In the event that emergency repairs are necessary, the franchisee shall immediately notify the Town Highway Superintendent of the need for such repairs. The franchisee may immediately initiate such emergency repairs and shall apply for appropriate permits no later than the next business day following the discovery of the emergency. The franchisee must comply with all laws and provisions relating to such emergency excavations or construction, including the payment of permit fees. Failure by the franchisee to apply for such necessary permits timely will be considered a breach of this agreement and could lead to the revocation of the franchise agreement or license.
Public emergency. The Town shall have the right to sever, disrupt, dig up or otherwise destroy facilities of the franchisee, without any prior notice, if such action is deemed necessary by the Town Supervisor or Police Chief because of a public emergency. However, the Town shall provide notice to the franchisee as soon as reasonably possible. "Public emergency" shall be any condition which, in the opinion of either of the officials so named, possesses an immediate threat to the lives or property of the citizens of the Town caused by any natural or man-made disaster, including, but not limited to, storms, floods, fire, accidents, explosions, major water main breaks, hazardous material spills. The franchisee shall be responsible for repair, at its sole expense, of any of its facilities damaged pursuant to any such action taken by the Town.
Relocation. The Town shall have the right to require the franchisee to protect, support, temporarily disconnect, relocate or remove its telecommunications system within the public rights-of-way when the public convenience requires such change, and the expense thereof shall be paid solely by the franchisee. The Town shall provide the franchisee with written notification requesting such relocation. Should the franchisee fail to remove or relocate any such facilities by the date established by the Town, the Town may cause such removal or relocation, and the expense thereof shall be paid by the franchisee, including all costs and expenses incurred by the Town due to the franchisee's delay. If the Town requires the franchisee to relocate facilities located in the public rights-of-way, the Town will make a reasonable effort to provide the franchisee with an alternate location for its facilities within public rights-of-way.
Restoration of rights-of-way. Whenever the franchisee disturbs or excavates the surface of any public right-of-way or opens the hard surface pavement in any street for any purpose, the franchisee shall promptly restore the public right-of-way to at least its prior condition and in compliance with the Town Code and to the satisfaction of the Town Highway Superintendent. The Town may, after providing notice to the franchisee, refill and/or repave any opening made by the franchisee in the public rights-of-way, and the expense thereof shall be paid by the franchisee. The Town reserves the right, after providing notice to the franchisee, to remove and/or repair any work done by the franchisee, which, in the determination of the Town, is inadequate. The cost thereof, including the cost of inspection and supervision, shall be paid by the franchisee. The franchisee shall properly safeguard all excavations made by the franchisee in the rights-of-way. All of franchisee's work under this section shall be done in strict compliance with all applicable rules. regulations and laws of the Town.
Restoration of damage. The franchisee, at its sole expense, shall restore all damage to property, both public and private, caused by the installation, construction, operation, maintenance or repair of the franchisee's telecommunications system. Such restoration shall be made as soon as practicable after completion of work necessitating the restoration and shall be done in a manner approved by the Highway Superintendent. If any such damage involves pavements, sidewalks, driveways, water mains, storm and sanitary sewers, traffic control conduits, cable, or loop system, other public facilities or other emergency circumstances, the damage shall be repaired to the Town's satisfaction immediately. In the event that the franchisee or licensee fails to so restore, the Town has the right, but not the obligation, to restore the same and charge the franchisee therefor and collect reimbursement from the franchisee. The franchisee waives any claims for damages to the telecommunications system that may arise as a result of the Town's actions.
Vegetation management. Upon the express written permission of the Town, the franchisee may trim trees or other vegetation owned by the Town and private persons or encroaching upon the public rights-of-way to prevent their branches or leaves from touching or otherwise interfering with its wires. All trimming or pruning shall be at the sole cost of the franchisee under the supervision of the Town.
Reservation of rights. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the Town from constructing sewers, grading, paving, repairing and/or altering any street or public right-of-way or the laying down, repairing or removing of sewer and/or water mains or constructing or establishing, any other public work or improvement. All such work shall be done, insofar as practicable, so as not to hinder or prevent the unrestricted use and operation of the telecommunications system by a franchisee. If any telecommunications system interferes with the construction or repair of any public right-of-way or public improvement, including construction, repair or removal of a sewer and/or water main and any other public work or improvement, the applicable franchisee's equipment shall be removed or replaced at the franchisee's expense in the manner the Town shall direct. The Town will cooperate with the franchisee to identify possible alternate locations within the public rights-of-way. Any and all such removal or replacement shall be at the expense of the franchisee. Should the franchisee fail to remove, adjust or relocate its facilities by the date established by the Highway Superintendent's written notice to the franchisee, the Town may cause and/or effect such removal adjustment or relocation, and the expense thereof shall be paid by the franchisee, including all costs and expenses incurred by the Town due to the franchisee's delay.
Public rights-of-way vacation. If any public rights-of-way or portion thereof used by a franchisee is vacated by the Town during the term of the franchise agreement or license, and unless the Town Board specifically reserves to the franchisee the right to continue in the vacated public rights-of-way area, the franchisee shall, without expense to the town, forthwith remove its telecommunications system from such public rights-of-way, and restore, repair or reconstruct the public rights-of-way area, where such removal has occurred, and place the public rights-of-way area in such condition as may be required by the Town Highway Superintendent, which shall be no worse than the condition of such public rights-of-way immediately prior to removal. In the event of failure, neglect or refusal of the franchisee, after 30 days' notice by the Town Highway Superintendent, to repair, improve or maintain such public rights-of-way portions, the Town may do such work, or cause it to be done, and the direct cost thereof shall be charged to the franchisee. The Town will cooperate with the franchisee to identify alternate locations within public rights-of-way.
The franchisee shall use its telecommunications system facilities in such a way so as to prevent injury to the Town's property or property belonging to any person, firm, or corporation within the Town. The franchisee, at its sole expense, shall repair, renew, change and improve its facilities from time to time as may be necessary to accomplish this purpose.
A franchisee shall not construct its telecommunications system in a manner that requires any customer to install cables, ducts, conduits or other facilities, in, under or over the Town streets or other public rights-of-way.
A franchisee's facilities shall be installed, constructed, operated, maintained, used and repaired in such a manner as to provide for the safety of persons and property, and not interfere with the free passage of traffic, all in accordance with the laws of the State of New Yolk and the Town Code.
A franchisee shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, use the public rights-of-way where construction of the facilities can be coordinated with other Town and private construction activities and will least impact the existing condition of the public rights-of-way, will least impact traffic during construction, and will least impact adjacent neighbors during construction and after installation.
Discontinuance, expiration or abandonment of facilities.
Whenever a franchisee intends to discontinue use of its telecommunications systems, by either expiration, abandonment, failure to renew or default under this chapter, its franchise agreement or license within all or part of a particular portion of the rights-of-way, and does not intend to use said facilities again in the future, the franchisee shall submit to the Town Highway Superintendent, for approval, a completed application describing the facility and the date on which the franchisee intends to discontinue using such facility. The franchisee may remove the facility or request that the Town permit it to remain in place.
If the franchisee is permitted by the Town to abandon its facilities in place, the Town shall have the right, but not the obligation, to assume ownership of the telecommunications system located within the rights-of-way at no cost, and the franchisee shall deliver all documents in connection therewith.
Until such time as the franchisee removes or modifies the facility as directed by the Town, or until the rights to and responsibility for the facility are accepted by the Town or another franchisee so authorized by the Town, the franchisee shall be responsible for all necessary repairs and relocations of the facility, as well as maintenance and restoration of the rights-of-way, in the same manner and degree as if the facility were in active use, and the franchisee shall retain all liability for such facility.
Inspection of facilities. The Town reserves the right to require at reasonable times, and upon reasonable notice, the inspection of a franchisee's telecommunications system in the public rights-of-way during installation, construction, and upon completion. The cost of any such inspection shall be the sole responsibility of the franchisee.
The National Electric Safety Code (NESC) and the National Electric Code (NEC) then current.
The Town shall have the right to reasonable inspections to ensure such compliance.
Construction on private property. Where the telecommunications system runs along private property with the permission of the owner thereof, it shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations. The franchisee shall provide notice to property owners and tenants of the property prior to the permitted construction on such private property, even in the event that the franchisee has an easement for such property.
Public hazards. Any openings or obstructions in public rights-of-way on any Town or public property made by the franchisee shall be guarded and protected at all times, subject to the approval of Town Highway Superintendent, by the placement of adequate barriers, fences, bordering or other protective devices shall be clearly designated by warning lights. The franchisee shall indemnify the Town with respect to any claim in connection herewith, unless caused by the Town's negligent acts, and the franchisee shall provide insurance therefor.
Company identification. The franchisee shall ensure that all of its vehicles and employees are clearly identified to the general public as being associated with the franchisee when engaged in construction. maintenance or service of the telecommunications system within the Town.
Condition of Town rights-of-way. A franchisee's telecommunications shall be neat and sightly and shall not unnecessarily interfere with the use of public rights-of-way. The franchisee's cables shall be suspended or buried so as not to endanger or injure persons or property in the public rights-of-way. All work by the franchisee in the public rights-of-way shall be performed so as not to interfere with the use thereof, and when completed, the public rights-of-way shall be left in as good condition as when work was commenced.
Noninterference with construction or utilities.
All lines, cables and distribution equipment, including poles and necessary appurtenances, erected by the franchisee within the Town shall be located so as not to obstruct or interfere with the proper use of public rights-of-way or any other public ways and places, and so as to cause minimum interference with the rights of property owners who abut any of such public rights-of-way or other public ways and places, and so as not to interfere with existing public utility installations or traffic control systems. The franchisee shall remove, at its own cost and expense, any equipment that now or in the future restricts, obstructs or interferes with the operation or location of such public rights-of-way and public places.
A franchisee or licensee shall not place poles, conduits, or other fixtures where they will interfere with any gas, electricity, telephone fixtures, water hydrants, traffic control systems and loops, or other utility use, and all such poles, conduits or other fixtures in or upon any public right-of-way shall be so placed as to comply with all requirements of the Town or other applicable authority and comply with local regulations, including the aesthetic provisions thereof.
No liability. The Town shall not be liable to the franchisee or to the franchisee's customers for any interference with, or disruption in, the operation of the franchisee's telecommunications system, or for any damages arising out of the franchisee's use of the public rights-of-way, unless caused by the Town's negligent acts.
A franchisee shall keep the Town fully informed as to all matters in connection with or affecting the installation, construction, reconstruction, removal, maintenance, operation and repair of the franchisee's telecommunications system.
A franchisee shall keep its books of account and records in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and in such a way that breakdowns of revenues are available by type of service within the Town. The Town may also require the keeping of additional records or accounts which are reasonably necessary for purposes of identifying, accounting for, and reporting gross revenues and uncollectibles. Such books and records shall be maintained and available for inspection for five years after the end of the time period which they record or until the end of any audit or litigation involving such time period, whichever is the later.
In order to help determine the gross revenues received by the franchisee for compensation purposes, the franchisee agrees to file annually with the Town, no later than 120 days after the end of the franchisee's fiscal year, a copy of a financial report, audited by the franchisee's certified public accountant, covering the telecommunications system, showing, in detail, the revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, sources and use of funds, assets and liabilities, a profit and loss statement and a certification containing such information as the Town shall specify. Such information or report shall be accurate and complete. The Town may have the books and records of the franchisee examined by a representative of the Town to ascertain the correctness of the reports agreed to be filed herein.
A franchisee shall keep on file with the Town Clerk a current list of officers with current addresses. The franchisee shall comply with the Town's requirements regarding forms for reports, the time for reports, the frequency with which reports are to be made, and reports under oath. Filings shall be deemed current if filed within the times provided under federal law for publicly held companies.
A franchisee shall provide the Town with access at reasonable times and for reasonable purposes, to examine, audit, review, and/or obtain copies of the papers, books, accounts, documents, maps, plans, and other records of the franchisee or licensee pertaining to its respective agreements. The Town may make inquiries pertaining to the franchisee's operation of the telecommunications system within the Town, and the franchisee shall respond to such inquiries in a timely matter.
If requested by the Town, the franchisee shall, within 30 days of the request, provide the Town with notices of all nonconfidential petitions, applications, communications, and reports submitted by the franchisee to the FCC, Securities and Exchange Commission or their successor agencies, relating to any matters affecting the use of the public rights-of-way and/or telecommunications operations authorized pursuant to the franchise agreement, license or this chapter.
Within 30 days of receipt, the franchisee shall submit to the Town copies of all decisions, correspondence and actions by any federal, state and local courts, regulatory agencies and other governmental bodies relating to its telecommunications operations within the public rights-of-way. This subsection shall also apply to legal actions initiated by the franchisee in relation to its telecommunications operations within the public rights-of-way, and the Town shall submit similar information to the franchisee.
A franchisee acknowledges that information submitted to the Town is open to public inspection under the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The franchisee is responsible for becoming familiar and understanding the provisions of FOIL. The franchisee may identify information, such as trade secrets, financial records, customer information or technical information, submitted to the Town as confidential under FOIL. The franchisee shall prominently mark any information for which it claims confidentiality with the word "confidential," on each page of such information, prior to submitting such information to the Town. The Town shall treat any material so marked as confidential until the Town receives a request for disclosure of such information. To the extent authorized by FOIL and other applicable state and federal laws, the Town shall maintain the confidentiality of information designated as such by the franchisee.
Within five working days of receiving a request which covers such confidential material, the Town shall provide the franchisee with written notice of the request, including a copy of the request. The franchisee shall have five working days within which to provide a written response to the Town before the Town may disclose any of the requested confidential information. The Town retains the final discretion to determine whether to release the requested confidential information.
A franchisee shall obtain and maintain in full force and effect throughout the term of the respective agreements and any extensions or renewals thereof, insurance with an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of New York. Said insurance shall protect the franchisee and the Town from any claims which may arise directly or indirectly or result from its granting of a franchise agreement or license, including but not limited to activity associated with the placement or maintenance of the franchisee's telecommunications system, whether such operations are performed by the franchisee, or by anyone for whose acts the franchisee may be liable.
The Town reserves the right to review these insurance requirements during the effective period of the franchise agreement or license and any extension or renewal thereof and to adjust insurance coverage and limits when deemed necessary and prudent by the Town Attorney, based upon changes in statutory laws, court decisions, or the claims history of the industry or the franchisee.
Automobile liability insurance with the limits of not less than $1,000,000 for each accident arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of motor vehicles.
Comprehensive general liability insurance, including, contractual, premises/completed operations, explosion. collapse and underground property damage and broad form property insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 for bodily injury, including accidental death and $5,000,000 in the aggregate, and property damage liability insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence.
Insurers shall have no recourse against the Town for payment of any premiums or assessments which shall be the sole responsibility of the franchisee.
A franchisee shall obtain and maintain, at its sole cost and expense, and file with the attorney, a corporate surety bond which shall be renewable annually or multiyear, with a surety company authorized to do business in the State of New York and acceptable to the Town Attorney, in the amount of 50% of the projected total project cost to secure the franchisee's faithful performance of its obligations and faithful adherence to all of the terms and conditions of the franchise agreement or license. This bond shall have the further condition that, in the event that the franchisee shall fail to complete the required construction of the system as set forth in the franchise, there shall be recoverable, jointly, and severally, from the principal and the surety of the bond any damage or loss suffered by the Town as a result of said construction, including the full amount of any cost of removal or abandonment of any property of the franchisee, plus an allowance for reasonable attorney's fees and costs up to the full amount of the bond. The franchisee shall maintain and keep the bond in full force and effect at all times throughout the term of the franchise agreement or license, including, if necessary, the time required for removal of all franchisee's telecommunications system facilities installed in the public rights-of-way.
Each such bond shall contain a covenant or endorsement of the surety to provide 60 days' written notice to the Town Attorney and the franchisee of such surety's intention to cancel, substantially change, or not to renew such bond. The franchisee shall, in the event of such notice, obtain, pay premiums for, and file with the Town Attorney written evidence of the issuance of replacement bonds prior to the expiration of any such bond.
The bond shall provide, but not be limited to, the following condition: there shall be recovery by the Town, jointly and severally from the principal and surety, of any and all damages, losses, or costs suffered by the Town resulting from the failure of the franchisee to adhere to the terms and conditions of the franchise agreement or license. The Town's right to recover under the bond shall be in addition to any other rights it may have pursuant to this chapter, franchise agreement or license.
If the financial condition of any bonding company issuing a bond pursuant to this section materially and adversely changes, the Town may, at any time, require that any such bond be replaced with such other bond consistent with the requirements set forth in this section. The Town reserves the right to stop any work related to the telecommunications system until proper evidence of bonding is furnished.
Upon substantial completion of all construction within the public rights-of-way authorized or required by its franchise, a franchisee may request in writing to the Town Board that the bond be reduced to an amount of $10,000 or two times the estimated cost of the remaining construction, whichever is greater. Upon the completion of all remaining construction, the franchisee shall request in writing that the requirement for said bond be ended. The Town Board shall, after satisfying itself of the appropriateness of such request, approve the franchisee's request for reduction or cancellation of the required performance bond. Prior to any additional required construction within the public rights-of-way within the service area, a performance bond as described in Subsection D(1) shall be submitted and maintained during the additional construction in its original penal sum.
A statement setting forth in reasonable detail the identity of the proposed buyer, lessee, mortgagee, assignee or transferee.
The proposed assignee or transferee agrees to enter into an agreement approved by the Town, under which it assumes the obligations under the franchise or license.
Neither a franchise nor a license shall create a vested right in a franchisee to occupy a particular location or particular locations in the public rights-of-way.
The remaining terms and conditions applicable to any franchise or license granted pursuant to this chapter shall be set forth in the separate resolution granting the franchise or license and/or in the franchise agreement or the license itself.
A franchise or license granted pursuant to this chapter shall be for a period of 10 years, except that lesser terms may be specified in particular cases. Licenses may be renewed upon timely application by the licensee for a term and on such conditions and at a fee or rent accepted by the Town. The renewal of any franchise shall be conducted in a manner consistent with applicable federal law.
The public rights-of-way to be used by a franchisee in the operation of its telecommunications system within the boundaries of the Town are valuable public properties, acquired and maintained by the Town at great expense to its taxpayers. The grant to a franchisee of the use of public rights-of-way is a valuable property right without which the franchisee would be required to invest substantial capital in rights-of-way costs and acquisitions. The franchisee, therefore, shall pay the Town, no later than March 31 of each year of the franchise agreement, as general compensation, the greater of the minimum annual fee or the annual gross revenue based fee, as set forth below. Where a telecommunications provider's system is using the public rights-of-way pursuant to a license granted under § 185-4C, compensation to the Town shall be calculated as set forth in § 185-13.
The annual gross revenue based fee is equal to 5% of the franchisee's gross revenues, as defined in this chapter. The minimum annual franchise fee is the greater of $5,000 or the amount paid to the Town as compensation for the prior year. The payment of these fees shall in no way be construed to be the payment of real estate taxes or permit and application fees to the Town nor shall such franchise fee constitute a deduction from the gross revenues for the purposes of computing the amount of franchise fee due. Interest at 10% per annum will be payable on late payments.
The public rights-of-way are valuable public properties, acquired and maintained by the Town at great expense to its taxpayers, and the grant to a licensee of the use of the public rights-of-way is a valuable property right without which the licensee would be required to invest substantial capital in rights-of-way costs and acquisitions. Therefore, a licensee shall pay the Town as general compensation, no later than March 31 of each year for the duration of the license, an amount equal to the greater of a minimum annual fee of $5,000; or an annual fee of $2.50 per linear foot of the licensee's telecommunications system in the public rights-of-way. The total number of linear feet of the licensee's telecommunications system located in the public rights-of-way shall be determined by the as-built maps submitted by the licensee and approved by the Town Highway Department. Interest at 10% per annum will be payable on late payments.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or other portion of this chapter is, for any reason, declared invalid, in whole or in part, by any court, agency, commission, legislative body or other authority of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent portion. Such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof, which other portions shall continue in full force and effect.
The Town Board shall have the right to delegate and redelegate, and to revoke any such delegation or redelegation, from time to time, of any of its rights or obligations under this chapter to any body, organization or official of the Town. Any such delegation, redelegation or revocation, no matter how often made, shall not be deemed an amendment to this chapter or to require the consent of any applicant for a franchise or license.
To the extent permitted by law, the Town shall apply all provisions of this chapter to telecommunications providers, franchisees, licensees or other rights-of-way authorizations existing on the effective date of this chapter.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter shall constitute a violation. Should the Town determine a franchisee to be in violation of this chapter or its respective agreements, the Town may foreclose on all or any part of any security provided for under this chapter or in the respective agreements, including, without limitation, any bonds or other surety; provided, however, the foreclosure shall only be to such a manner and in such an amount as the Town reasonably determines is necessary to remedy the default and provided that the Town shall not make any withdrawals by reason of any violation for which the franchisee or licensee has not been given notice. A person who is found to be in violation of this chapter shall thereafter be made to comply with all applicable requirements and shall be required to submit all paperwork and pay all required fees.
Failure to obtain the necessary approvals shall additionally result in late charges for the time period in which the violator did not have approval plus the actual costs incurred by the Town in enforcing this chapter against a person found in violation. In such an instance, the offender shall be required to remove all equipment illegally placed in the Town rights-of-way and to restore said property to its original condition in addition to any other penalty provided by law. Failure to follow the procedures in this chapter may result in the refusal by the Town to consider future applications for permits, licenses or franchises.
In the event that a permit in furtherance of a franchise has been issued to a franchisee by the Town, the franchisee's failure to comply with the requirements set forth by law and all standards required by the Town may additionally result in forfeiture of the permit as determined by the Town Board after notice and reasonable opportunity to be heard is extended to the franchisee.
Attempts to evade any of the provisions of this chapter or its franchise or license agreement or practices any fraud or deceit upon the Town.
A franchisee shall not be declared at fault or be subject to any sanction under any provision of its franchise or this chapter in any case in which performance of any such provision is prevented for reasons beyond the franchisee's control.
Any person who knowingly violates any prohibition in this chapter shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter and upon conviction thereof shall be fined the amount of $500 per day for each day that such violation is proven to have occurred or continued.
In addition to any other remedies hereunder, the Town may seek an injunction or other judicial relief to mitigate or terminate a violation, or employ any other remedy available at law or equity.
Revocation, reduction of term and forfeiture of facilities.
In the event that the Town believes that a franchisee or licensee has not complied with the terms of its license or franchise, the Town shall notify the franchisee in writing of the exact nature of the alleged noncompliance.
In the event that, by the nature of the default, such default cannot be cured within the thirty-day period, the franchisee shall initiate reasonable steps to remedy such default and notify the Town of the steps being taken and the projected date that they will be completed.
Forfeiture of facilities. Any communications facility constructed, maintained, or operated in this Town in material violation of this chapter, including but not limited to default as to timely payment of annual fees hereunder, is subject to forfeiture; and the Town may seize, disable, remove, or destroy such facility upon 30 days' advance notice in writing to the franchisee or owner or operator thereof; provided, however, that where the safety of any person or property lawfully within the public rights-of-way is endangered thereby, only such notice as is practicable under the circumstances need be given.
A license or franchise may be revoked by the Town with the approval of the Town Board; provided, however, the Town shall have then given further notice of the Town's intention to revoke the license or franchise for failure to timely correct the breach or violation, and advising the franchisee of its right to demand, within 10 days, a public hearing with the Town Board.
Following such hearing as the licensee or franchisee may demand, or upon the failure to make timely demand for a hearing, the Town Board may request public comments on the proposed revocation.
The Town Board shall give public notice of its intention to consider the revocation of a license or franchise and shall hold a public hearing thereon unless waived by the franchisee. The Town Board shall thereafter determine by written resolution or other form of decision whether to revoke the franchise or license based on information presented at the public hearing and other evidence in the record. The resolution or other form of decision shall set forth the particulars of the breach of the franchise or license agreement or any violations of this chapter which were the basis for the revocation.
Subject to applicable federal and state law, in the event the Town Board, after such meeting, determines that a licensee or franchisee is in substantial default of a material provision of the license or franchise, the Town Board may declare the license or franchise to be revoked.
In a situation where a license or franchise is revoked, in removing its plant, structures and equipment, the franchisee shall refill, at its own expense, any excavation that shall be made by it and shall leave all public rights-of-way and public property in as good condition as prevailed prior to the franchisee's removal of its equipment and appliances without affecting the electrical or telephone cable wires, or attachments. The Town Highway Superintendent shall inspect and approve the condition of the public rights-of-way and public property. Liability and indemnity insurance as provided herein shall continue in full force and effect during the period of removal and until full compliance by the franchisee with the terms and conditions of this subsection and this chapter.
In the event of a failure by a franchisee to complete any work required by Subsection G(4)(e) above, or any other work required by the Town Code within the time as may be established by the Town Board and to the satisfaction of the Town, the Town may cause such work to be done and the franchisee shall reimburse the Town the cost thereof within 30 days after receipt of an itemized list of such costs. The Town shall be permitted to seek legal and equitable relief to enforce the provisions of this section.
Upon the revocation of a franchise, the Town may require the franchisee to continue to operate the system for a period not to exceed six months from the date of such revocation. The franchisee shall, as trustee for its successor in interest, continue to operate the system under the terms and conditions of its franchise and to provide cable service that may be provided at that time. The Town shall be permitted to seek legal and equitable relief to enforce the provisions of this section.
The termination and forfeiture of any license or franchise shall in no way affect any of the rights of the Town or franchisee under the license or franchise or any provision of law.
No waiver. The failure of the Town to insist on timely performance or compliance by any person holding a license, franchise, lease, or work permit shall not constitute a waiver of the Town's right to later insist on timely performance or compliance by that person or any other person holding such a license, franchise, lease, or work permit.

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