WEST MILFORD — The fledgling cable television station WM77 is only showing council meetings and its community bulletin board announcements, at least until the council gets to approve the committee's policies and procedures, which are in the works.
Last week, while discussing the creation of a Cable Television Commission, the council questioned why any content besides the council meetings and bulletin board was airing without council approval. All extra programming was shut down last Thursday at midnight.
According to Councilwoman Ada Erik, the chairperson of the committee, the server came with a library of programs to air on Optimum channel 77. They included some "how to" videos on beer making, building a sailboat, creating a butterfly garden and beekeeping, to name a few. Also, there is a documentary on the life and times of Robert F. Kennedy and a program on living with black bears. Some original material was added to the library including a recent Highlander band competition.
Councilwoman Michele Dale questioned why any programing except meetings and bulletin board is airing without approval from the council.
Airing content is important, according to Erik, because if they don't, Cablevision could air their own programming, including from other towns. That's what they want to avoid after having to watch programming from neighboring Warwick, N.Y., before operating the township's own dedicated channel.
Establishing a commission
Last week, the council discussed an ordinance which would create a Cable Television Commission to run the channel. A commission is different from a committee in that it may also apply for grants. This commission would oversee the already-established committee. Committee members would be the "worker bees," according to Erik who will produce the actual content.
Dale questioned several points in the proposed ordinance, including creating an executive director. Many of her questions will be answered, Erik said, when the policies and procedures are approved.
"We need the policies and procedures," Dale said after the meeting. "This is putting the cart before the horse."
The polices and procedures document is in its review stage. Erik said changes have been made.
Township Administrator Ken Gabbert, who oversees the station according to the ordinance, said the policies and procedures are being reviewed and edited by the committee and administration. They will also be vetted by the township attorney. He said they are taking it seriously.
History
The township established a seven-person cable TV committee last summer that was to advise the mayor and council on recording, airing and broadcasting local events and make recommendations on equipment and hardware, developing policies and procedures, and public service and emergency announcements.
The committee worked to get the channel up and running with council meetings airing, then added the community bulletin board, which was also approved by the council in September. There were some glitches with acquiring equipment and then sound quality, but they have worked through them and have started to produce original content geared for West Milford. That's on hold now.
The committee proposed that the council create a commission to broaden the group's capabilities and garner grant money for the WM77 station. The township is promised $90,000 in grants from Cablevision to get the station up and running.
For more information on West Milford's channel 77, email WM77TV@westmilford.org.
Have you been watching WM77? What do you think of the council taking the extra programming off the air? Go to westmilfordmessenger.com and tell us.