Cablevision Fee Increase on the Table in Westhampton Beach

Westhampton Beach residents may see their Cablevision bills increase in the coming months, if the the Village of Westhampton Beach decides to approve a proposed franchise fee.

The board held a public hearing on Wednesday night on the possibility of a new franchise fee agreement with Cablevision. If approved, a new charge of between 1 to 5 percent will appear on residents’ cable bills.

According to Joan Gilroy, Cablevision’s director of government affairs, the municipality inquired about a franchise fee in an August letter.

Mayor Conrad Teller said the village was assessing all areas of revenue. He said that a three percent franchise fee on village Cablevision subscribers could mean $60,000 for the village each year.

After the meeting, Mayor Conrad Teller identified New York State’s 2-percent tax cap and new labor contracts as a reason to seek extra money through Cablevision.

The only speaker during the public hearing was Dean Speir, a blogger and member of the Village Ethics Board.

The board voted to hold the hearing on the franchise fees open and is looking for public input on Jan. 5.

If the board accepts the fee, it will be about two months before residents see it on their bills, Gilroy said.