Cable Commission Proposes Improvements for the Scarsdale Cable Channel

In the wake of a proposal from the Scarsdale Village Manager's office to consolidate the operation of the Scarsdale Cable Channel with New Rochelle, the Scarsdale Cable Commission presented their own proposal to modernize the village's cable operations and maintain local control.

Representing the Cable Commission, Lorayne Fiorello explained the proposed plan to the Scarsdale Board of Trustees on Tuesday October 28, saying that the commission studied the issue, reviewed new technologies on the market and looked into how other municipalities are managing their public access channels. She stressed that this new program would cost no more than the $70,350 currently allocated in the Village Budget. These funds are provided by Verizon and Cablevision and now go into the Village's general fund.

The commission recommended hiring a new Senior Cable Commission Coordinator to work 20 hours per week and interviewed many candidates. In addition they recommended that the village continue to use part-time camera operators and an assistant Cable Television Coordinator.

The commission proposed to expand programming beyond Village Board Meetings and broadcast community events such as the Memorial Day Parade, annual fireworks, Halloween Window Painting, meetings of the Scarsdale Forum and the annual library book sale. They proposed installing fixed cameras in the Scott Room at Scarsdale Library to broadcast some of the special events that occur there.

Village organizations would be permitted to publicize their activities by making their own Public Service Announcements with the assistance of the Village's cable team. These PSA's could be aired on the channel in between programming. Residents could also sign up to produce and air their own shows on the channel. By law all residents have the right to air their own programming on the site though no one is currently doing so.

The commission also recommended upgrading the equipment using PEG funds (Public, Educational and Government). Using new technology from Tightrope Media and Swagit, all programming could be offered on the internet as well as on television. Streaming video equipment would provide residents access to live and archived programming.

Fiorello summed up by saying, "We have done research. We have experience in this field and we think we can make this one of the top flight stations in Westchester."

After some discussion, the Board then went into executive session to discuss the personnel portion of the proposal.

At the Village Board meeting that followed that same night, Bob Harrison continued to urge the Board to require the Planning Board to deliberate in public rather than behind closed doors. He mentioned that he attended a meeting of the Planning Board where they considered a subdivision at 15 Circle Road and said that none of the attendees at the meeting were able to hear the discussion on the issue.

In other business, the board granted a license agreement to Alan and Deborah Annex of 7 Park Road to construct steps from the street to their driveway in the Village right of way.

The board also voted unanimously to refer several proposed changed to the Village Zoning Code to the Planning Board for review and comment. The proposed amendments were not distributed.