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Politics & Government

Hewlett Neck Finalizes New Contract Agreement with Cablevision

Under a new deal, the television provider will continue uninterrupted service. Meanwhile, the future of the proposed Keystone Cell Tower remains vague.

There’s no need for Hewlett Neck residents to worry about receiving their favorite cable television shows this summer, as village offiicials said at last Monday's meeting that they have finalized a new franchise agreement with Cablevision.

Service was never in question, but as a protection and before the Hewlett Neck Board of Trustees went on summer hiatus, Mayor Stuart Troyetsky said he tied up a few loose ends, including the agreement.

There are roughly 160 homes in the village, and of those, about three quarters subscribe to Cablevision, according to the board; the rest have satellite television. Hewlett Neck receives approximately 5 percent of the total Cablevision billing from television, but none from Internet use. Under the new contract, service to residents will continue as usual, though the village will now receive a bit more from the cable company. 

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“We have the final agreement. Since the last meeting they’ve given us $4,000,” Troyetsky said.

Ever conscious about lowering household subscription rates, the mayor has contacted competitors about providing similar services. “But they’re not in a rush to get here. We’re a small market," he said. "It would be nice to get Verizon FiOS so there’s a choice.”

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In other matters addressed by the board, residents may not see the controversial cell tower go up anytime this summer. There’s been no recent by the village or T-Mobile representatives and nothing new to report.

“If they see they’re up against a problem, maybe they’ll move,” Deputy Mayor Bertram Kalisher said.

Previously, after Hewlett Neck on cell tower construction, T-Mobile met with village representatives and paid the required application fees. That’s where the matter currently stands. Everyone at the meeting agreed it’s unlikely the tower would be set in place before convening with Hewlett Neck at least one more time.

“We’ll see what happens. We don’t know," Troyetsky said. "There are codes and we’ll just have to see. We’ll see what happens, if anything."

Hewlett Neck's Board of Trustees is currently on summer break. Its next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 12, 2011 at 8 p.m.   

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