Selectmen are frustrated with Verizon Communications, which has yet to provide local access television to its cable customers in town.
Selectmen last week voted to issue a warning to the communications company that was granted a license to operate its fiber optic cable system in town last August. As part of the license, the company agreed to carry local access programming, such as Board of Selectmen and School Committee meetings as well as other events.
Cable Commission Chairman Paul McGee said last week Verizon was granted an initial extension, which expired March 15.
"They indicated to us that they were having some technical problems and we set a date of March 15, which was not met," said McGee.
Verizon Regional Director of External Affairs Richard Colon said Friday the company is working on an interconnection with Comcast to provide the service, and he hopes it will be complete within a month.
"We recognize the importance of public access television to our viewers and we continue to work in good faith with Comcast to get it up and running," said Colon.
Selectman Jerry Kelleher said he'd like to start levying daily fines until the problem is solved, but counsel has said the board must go through a series of steps first, starting with an official warning.
"I just want to ensure this service gets to all our residents," said Kelleher.
Comcast and Norwood Light Broadband, the town's other cable providers offer the service.
Colon said the interconnection between the two companies has been a slower process than anticipated.
"This is not a cookie cutter process that is the same from town to town," said Colon. "Unfortunately in the town of Norwood's case, it is a little more complicated than normal."
Last August, selectmen approved Verizon to be the third cable company in town.
Verizon is launching an all-digital cable system over its fiber optic network it has been installing around town. Fiber Optic Systems, or FiOS TV, will offer approximately 400 channels, two dozen high-definition channels as well as more than 3,000 on-demand titles.
According to Verizon, FiOS TV is the first 100 percent fiber optic network in the nation.
Norwood Light Broadband received its 10-year license in 2002.
Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or at bfalla@cnc.com
