Cablevision Franchise Fee Hike Hangs in Limbo

A to garner more dollars for the Village of Westhampton Beach was tabled Thursday evening after Dean Speir, local blogger and member of the village's ethics board, questioned the proposal during a public hearing.

"The numbers aren't working," said Speir. "If you are changing your policy it is incumbent on you to make a case instead of doing this out of the clear blue sky."

The proposal was brought up in late December and village officials said that a 3 percent Cablevision franchise fee for some 2,000 cable television users in the village would result in close to $65,000 in the village's coffers.

The money, said trustee Sue Farrell would help the village's general fund especially when looking at adopting a budget that must meet the state's two percent tax cap.

"It could mean saving a job," said Farrell.

Farrell said the fee would equate to additional $1.50 per month or $18 a year added to the bills of cable television users.

Speir, however, wasn't buying it and argued that $1.50 per month doesn't equal $65,000. 

Trustee Hank Tucker said he also isn't sold on the idea and said he imagines the cost to Cablevision customers in the village would be more like $3 a month.

"In my opinion, Cablevision charges enough money to residents and even though this is a small burden on certain residents, I don't feel we should add the extra tax," said Tucker.

Tucker said he understands that the village will need additional revenue to meet the new tax cap, but he said, "The village can find other revenues."

According to Rebecca Molinaro, village clerk, Westhampton is one of only two area municipalities that does not accept a tax on Cablevision bills; Northaven is the second one.

Board members agreed to garner additional information from Cablevision and hold a discussion on the propoal at it's work session on January 18 at 7 p.m.

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