Mayor Thomas Bernard accused Spectrum of breaching its contract with the city.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Charter Spectrum representatives were lambasted by city officials and residents who aired some of their grievances with cable service and support.
Around 50 residents filed into the American Legion Post 125 Monday to ask questions, give testimony and bluntly complain to four spectrum representatives Brandon Roberts, George Doin, Anna Lucey and John Fogarty during a two-hour public hearing.
"This is a very important issue for our community and it is one that I have heard a great deal about," Mayor Thomas Bernard said. "I invite you to share your complaints, your comments, and frustrations."
Late last month Bernard suggested holding a community meeting in response to complaints from many users in terms of customer service, the new digital boxes and dropped channels since Charter's takeover of Time-Warner.
Bernard ran through some initial questions and concerns some of which he felt were a breach of the contract with the city, which was signed in 2014 with Time Warner.
Bernard pointed to the contract and said the city was supposed to be given 30 days’ notice that the provider would be moving to digital. He said this is also an FCC regulation that Charter did not adhere too.
Executive Director of Northern Berkshire Community Television Dave Fabiano jumped in and said without the proper warning, they were unable to inform the community that the Public, Educational and Government channels (PEG Channels) would be moving from 15, 16, and 17 to 1301, 1302 and 1303.
"Without sufficient notification, it was hard to inform our viewers of what was going to happen and where to find our channels," he said. "After the conversion, many people thought that we just went off the air."
Bernard then noted that these channels are supposed to be available for everyone through basic service but because Charter forces subscribers to rent digital boxes to access these channels, customers will have to pay if they want to watch PEG channels.
Fogarty said that his read of the contract was that Charter will not charge the city to put PEG programming on the channels, but this does not extend to the viewing of the program.
"The transmission of the channels to the subscribers is not covered by that provision," he said. "It is putting programming on there. The company could not charge the city for the use of that channel."
Fabiano did not agree.
"Without that box or that fee you can’t see public access and to me, I think that goes against it," he said. "I think that is a breach of the contract."
Bernard then responded to frustrations about channels inaccessible in Berkshire County that other communities in the state can access because the FCC lumped the county in with New York state when it drew the cable market map. He added the city is actively fighting this.
Fogarty said that this was purely an FCC issue and out of Charter Spectrum’s control.
That comment drew out Rep. John Barrett III, who helped lead the charge against the cable provider, who said the FCC deemed Berkshire County "nonregulated" because they counted dish and direct tv as competition.
He said he thought this was purely to save money.
"You won’t carry anything that you don’t have to carry even though your customer base wants it and it is one of the most stupid, pennywise and foolish things that I ever heard from a company," he said. "But you know you have got us over the barrel."
He then chastised the group for being deceitful and urged Bernard to declare a breach of contract.
"Do the right thing and say that they have breached the contract because that will cost them more money than what they were going to channel 5 to carry the signal," he said.
The dialogue was opened to the public and residents made statements spanning from difficulties paying bills, substandard customer service, inconsistent billing and even complaints with how complicated the remotes were.
City Councilor Jason LaForest took to the microphone and told of his own horror story dealing with the cable provider citing increased costs for substandard service.
He then accused Charter Spectrum of taking advantage of Berkshire County and other rural communities and asked them to do the right thing.
The complaints ranged from a loss of channels to customer service to the prices Spectrum charges.
"You are not here to take care of your customers you are here to make money and it is ridiculous. You are a business and you are entitled to a profit, but you are not entitled to that profit at the expense of those who have worked hard all of their lives and are not being forced to pay these prices," he said.
"Here is your opportunity to do the right thing."
City Councilor Marie Harpin also spoke and said she had issues with customer service and was unable to advertise on channel 22 in a timely manner.
"It is simple customer service that you are not providing to the community," she said. "We are not asking you to change the world…customer service just needs to be better locally and you really need to step up to the plate."
Roberts did apologize for the customer service issues and did ask some residents with specific complaints to meet with him after.
He did say that people are most likely seeing price increases because their Time Warner promotional plans are running their course and customers will have to take on a more expensive plan.
Fabiano went into some of his more technical concerns and said according to their agreement, Charter was supposed to install lines in specific public buildings throughout North County that would allow for a live feed. He said they have been waiting for over two years now and have yet to get a straight answer or a timeline for when these lines will be installed.
Fogarty said the company was aware of their obligation but still could not give a solid date.
Multiple residents shared their frustration about being unable to pay their bill because they weren’t the account holder and others said simply getting in contact with Spectrum was a challenge.
Resident Dick Dassatti, who spoke towards the end of the meeting, had some simple advice for the attendees – cut the cord.
"I think the most effective way to deal with the company…is a willingness to tell them you want your tv disconnected tell them that," he said. "When you tell them that you will get better service and a better deal."
Bernard said the city will continue to review the contract for other inconstancies possible breaches. He said the city will push back if needed.
"I think what you are hearing from the people is that…North Adams is getting lost in the shuffle and that is something we will not stand for," he said.
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North Adams Council Sets School Debt Exclusion Vote
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Council President Bryan Sapienza holds up an application to work as a poll worker for the upcoming elections. The form can be found under 'Becoming an election worker' under city clerk on the city website or in the city clerk's office.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council gave final approval on Tuesday for the mayor to borrow $65,362,859 for a new Greylock School to serve Grades prekindergarten through 2.
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center. Passage of the debt exclusion vote will allow the city to raise funds beyond its levy limit for the life of the loan.
City Clerk Tina Marie Leonesio said the city has about 1,400 requests for mail-in ballots for all elections and that in-person early voting will start the Saturday before.
The first forum is Thursday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. at Greylock; officials will provide an overview of the project and tours of the school. Zoom participation is available here. Northern Berkshire Community Television will also record the forums for later broadcast.
The second forum is Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. at Brayton Elementary School. The Zoom link is the same and those attending in person can also take a tour of the building.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority will pick up about $41,557,218 of the cost, the city about $20 million and the $3 million balance is expected to come from federal energy grants. The 30-year tiered loan for $20 million is expected to have its highest impact in 2029 when it will add $270 to the average tax bill, or about $22.50 a month.
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center.
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This year, the family took on a new challenge, purchasing the historic West End Market building at 437 West Main St. and opening the city's first vegan restaurant, Wish Tree.
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The school received a $64,000 Feigenbaum Foundation grant a couple years ago, but because of supply and shipping delays from the pandemic, the equipment was not delivered until this past winter. click for more
Nearly a dozen residents attended Monday's Conservation Commission meeting to express opposition to a forest management plan that will include logging and the use of herbicides near Notch Reservoir. click for more