Cadime: No Money for TV9

The Town of Seekonk has no plans to give any funding to local access station TV9, which suspended operations on April 1.

That decision drew criticism from Town Administrator Shawn Cadime and Selectman Justin Sullivan, who had served as the Select Board’s liaison to TV9.

At the May 13 Town Meeting, a warrant article proposes a special revenue account for PEG (Public Education Government) access.

“Its primary aim is to establish an account for depositing funds received from Comcast,” Cadime said Thursday. “I've made public statements at a Board meeting echoing guidance from Town Counsel, emphasizing that General Laws c.30B necessitate a procurement process for any goods or services intended for the Town,” Cadime noted. “However, there are exceptions when the Town seeks services for the broader benefit of its residents. The cable access agreement falls under the purview of a grant agreement, as defined, enabling the Town to support initiatives without the need for public bidding.”

In the last six months, the Town has withheld over $128,000 in funding designated for TV9. Comcast provides a percentage of the revenues from subscribers’ fees to pay for local programming.

“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 last month.

Sullivan noted at the Select Board’s April 10 meeting that TV9’s financial records “showed in excess of $500,000 in cash and securities, (as well as) a rental property that they collect income from. Make no mistake, this all could’ve been avoided had TV9 acted more in good faith by refraining from their actions on April 1.”

Rosseter was upset with Cadime and Sullivan for cancelling a series of meetings with TV9’s representatives over a new access agreement.

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

TV9 has also been responsible for broadcasting all Town Meetings. However, due to the shutdown and stalled negotiations over a new access agreement, Cadime explained there’s “uncertainty” regarding the recording of the meeting, which will be held at 7 pm at Seekonk High school.