Verizon now broadcasting Swampscott meetings

SWAMPSCOTT – Residents who have Verizon Fios can finally watch the local government programming channel.In 2006, the town granted a license to Verizon that allowed it to roll out its Fios television services to Swampscott residents.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said, as part of its agreement with the town, Verizon agreed to air town meetings including the Board of Selectmen. Maylor said the process has taken longer than expected but he’s pleased Verizon has followed through on its commitment.Comcast, which is the only other cable television service in town, already airs town meetings for its subscribers as part of its agreement with the town.Maylor said an agreement between the town, Verizon and Comcast allows Verizon to simulcast all programming being aired on the local government access channel at no cost to the town.Maylor said the town message board, Board of Selectmen meetings and other local programming is now being aired on channel 41 for customers with Verizon Fios and the school cable programming is being broadcast on channel 40 on Verizon Fios.Selectman Adam Forman said he is pleased an agreement was reached and Verizon has picked up the broadcasts.”It’s great,” he said. “I’m glad they are finally doing it. It allows people with Verizon to follow town politics a little more closely than they did before.”School Committee Chairman David Whelan said he is a proponent of transparency in government.”The more meetings that can be televised the better,” he said. “I embrace the idea of television providers providing local access.”School Committee member Neil Bernstein said he is pleased the School Committee meetings are being broadcast on Verizon Fios now.”I think it is fabulous,” he said. “I know people who have Verizon and were disappointed they couldn’t watch the meetings. Now we would like to work on finding a way to broadcast School Committee meetings live instead of showing a taped meeting.”Maylor said as part of its licensing agreement with the town, the company also provided $125,000 for equipment for the television studio at the new high school and an additional $100,000 to buy equipment to be used to broadcast municipal meetings.