Saugus selectmen to decide on SCTS rules

SAUGUS – Saugus selectmen are set to vote on the rules and regulations for Saugus Community Television Station tonight, and Chairman Michael Serino said one change may ease some concerns about censorship.Serino said one clause in the rules and regulations prohibiting “improper programming” was taken out and replaced with another stating a person must give a five-day notice before saying derogatory remarks about a person or group.?There was one change to the rules in one section which (attorney) Ira (Zaleznik) recommended,” said Serino. “Steve Castinetti brought it up about improper programming and we took that out. It looks OK. The rules and procedures is a pretty comprehensive handbook compared to what SCTV had. I think they did a great job putting it together.”Castinetti had previously stated that he was “troubled” by the language in the handbook, but on Monday said he wanted to “reserve comment” until tonight?s meeting.Selectmen voted unanimously July 18 to adopt a new policy for the public access station, which eliminated the channel as a non-profit and brought it under more town control.Selectman Julie Mitchell said she hasn?t decided how she?ll vote yet, but noted she?s “not a fan” of the change from SCTV to SCTS.?I think it was fine the way it was,” said Mitchell.Mitchell said anyone who wants to go on SCTS should be able to say what he or she wants, as long as it?s “tasteful.”?Everybody thinks differently,” said Mitchell. “What?s inappropriate to me may not be inappropriate to you. I just want it to be fair. I do believe in freedom of speech, and I do think people should able to go and have a show and say how they feel. If they dislike someone and want to make a comment, it should be tactful and tasteful.”Selectman Stephen Horlick said he doesn?t want to see the selectmen getting involved in SCTS programming.?The board of directors has a guideline for programming and the board of selectmen shouldn?t be doing any type of censorship,” said Horlick.Horlick said he would like to see some kind of rating system before programs are aired that would let viewers know what was coming up.?It would be good if they had something that said what the viewing content was supposed to be,” said Horlick. “Like if they had certain shows late night that would be PG-13 or something so people will know exactly what the content is. It?s the same thing as when you?re watching TV they have that little thing up in the corner saying what the content is.”The board will also vote to approve SCTS? budget. Serino said the station costs around $300,000 yearly and had a profit of $58,000 this year.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].