(A) The Town of Murphy finds that the development of cable television and communications systems has the potential of having great benefit and impact upon the people of Murphy. Because of the complex and rapidly changing technology associated with cable television, the town further finds that the public convenience, safety, and general welfare can best be served by establishing certain regulatory powers, which may be vested in the town or the persons as the town shall designate.
(B) Further, it is recognized that cable communications systems have the capacity to provide not only entertainment and information services to the town’s residents but can provide a variety of broadband, interactive communications services to institutions and individuals.
(C) For these purposes, the following goals underlie the regulations contained herein:
(1) Where economically feasible, communications services should be available to the maximum number of town residents, as provided for herein;
(2) The cable television systems should be capable of accommodating both the present and reasonably foreseeable future communications needs of the town;
(3) The cable television systems should be maintained as necessary during the franchise term so that the new facilities, if any, may be integrated to the maximum extent possible with existing facilities;
(4) The communications systems authorized by this chapter shall be responsive to the needs and interests of the local community; and
(5) The public, educational, and governmental needs for reasonable access to the cable system shall be met.
(Ord. passed 10-13-1998)