Seekonk Withheld Cable Television Funds

In the last six months, the Town of Seekonk has withheld over $128,000 in funding designated for public access station TV9.

A check in the amount of $65, 397.49 was sent by Comcast to the Board of Selectmen on November 2. Another check for $63, 365.88 was dated February 7, 2024.

TV9 suspended operations on April 1, which drew a swift rebuke from Town Administrator Shawn Cadime and Selectman Justin Sullivan, who had served as the board’s liaison to TV9.

“The appearance of TV9 Board’s impulsiveness is rivaled only by that of potential manipulation,” Sullivan said at the April 10 meeting. “The Town of Seekonk holds the cable licensing agreement with Comcast. Comcast pays (the town) five percent of revenues through your subscriber fees to be used for local television with PEG (public access, education, and government) limits.”

“TV9 had been working in its normal capacity since August 16th under the understanding that TV9 would, and in anticipation of, receiving the two checks held by the Town for that purpose,” said TV9 Board President Andrea Rosseter. 

In an e-mail sent to the Reporter last Wednesday, Cadime explained town attorneys needed more time to review the proposed changes by TV9 for a new Access Agreement.

“Holding the meetings without final comments from Town Counsel would have rendered them unproductive. Our intent was to be respectful of everyone's time and ensure productive discussions. Negotiations were ultimately canceled due to the actions taken by Seekonk Cable Access leading up to our April 8^th negotiation session.”

TV9 Board member Doreen Taylor believes the Select Board lacks the adequate knowledge of the situation to make an informed decision.

“It would be interesting to know just how much the Selectmen have been informed of negotiations because TV9 has not been on an agenda since November 2023,” said Taylor. “Sullivan’s liaison reports to the board have yielded nothing because of his multiple absences in serving as the Board’s liaison to TV9.” 

The Reporter obtained a draft of the proposed agreement, which states: “TV9 shall allow Seekonk Selectmen, and/or their authorized designees or agents access to the books, records, accounts, and facilities of TV9 at such reasonable times and in such reasonable places as the same may require to ensure compliance with this Access Agreement.”

 “Seekonk Cable Access has suspended programming from the PEG Channels,” Cadime noted. “The Town's stance is that all funds allocated to Seekonk Cable Access, LLC are intended for the Town's benefit. Seekonk Cable Access manages these funds on behalf of the Town. Therefore, any equipment or property acquired using Town funds rightfully belongs to the Town of Seekonk.”

“Since the inception on TV9 (SCA inc.) in 1985, and including the contract with the cable provider up to 2010, all documents have stated that the facilities, equipment, and all holdings belong to TV9,” Rosseter said. “There has never been an agreement between the Town and TV9 revoking these rights of ownership, nor a reversion of assets.” 

Cadime denied any intention of the Select Board to make TV9 a part of town government.

“TV9 is a non-profit and non-governmental entity,” Cadime added. “Seekonk Cable Access cannot transition into a government body. If the question pertains to the Town's potential management of our PEG channel internally, the answer is that it is an available option. The Selectmen have not finalized their decision on this matter.”

TV9’s website has been taken down, although the station’s Facebook page is still active. The TV9 Board met again on April 16 and announced their plans to continue negotiations with the town.

For now, the Select Board meetings are being broadcast on the Town of Seekonk’s You Tube channel.