A Valuable Service For Newtown

To the Editor:

The Board of Selectmen should be striving to help, not hinder, AT&T in its efforts to bring an additional cable television provider to Newtown. As described in John Voket’s article in last week’s Bee [“Citing Safety Concerns, Selectmen Want VRAD Box Installation Stopped”], the Board of Selectmen’s main complaint was that the VRAD boxes that form the infrastructure for AT&T’s service are unsightly and jut out from the utility poles to which they are affixed. The most complained about box in the article, across from the Middle School (pictured in last week’s Bee), clearly does not block the actual sidewalk as shown by Selectman Mangiafico modeling beside it with two feet firmly planted on concrete. More to the point, whatever the aesthetic detractions of the VRADs may be, Newtown would benefit from competition in the cable television market.

Charter Communications charges more per station for expanded basic cable than any other cable service in the state ($0.82/station) (see CT DPUC rate comparison chart 8/2007). Further, we also receive fewer perks along with those stations. Other cable television services provide DVR boxes or HD stations for free (AT&T for example). Charter does not. Let’s not let a “not in my backyard” mentality interfere with what will be a valuable service for Newtown.

Sincerely,

Russ Anderson

91 Great Ring Road, Sandy Hook                              August 24, 2008