Boothbay is one of several Maine communities with a lapsed cable franchise agreement with its provider. Boothbay’s agreement expired in 2007, and based on the contract, it continues in perpetuity without the two parties renegotiating.

But an Old Town-based consultant is telling Boothbay and 12 other Midcoast communities they should renegotiate the lapsed contract. James W. Sewall Company representative Michael Edgecomb  has been meeting with representatives of several local municipalities discussing their options for improving  local franchise agreements.

Thirteen Midcoast communities attended a presentation Edgecomb hosted last month in Wiscasset. He is trying to persuade local towns to form a consortium which will increase their bargaining power. All 13 communities have a franchise agreement with Spectrum which merged with Time Warner Cable earlier in the year.

On Nov. 8, Edgecomb tried persuading Boothbay’s board of selectmen to become consortium members. Prior to working for the Sewall Company, Edgecomb worked 36 years for Time Warner Cable negotiating franchise agreements with municipalities. Sewall’s consulting services would conduct a cable ordinance review by suggesting revisions in the current agreement. Edgecomb indicated possible benefits of renegotiating could be increased cable user fees for purchasing more local access channel equipment and two to four more miles of line extensions for creating more resident cable television access.

“There are a lot of good reasons to renegotiate. It requires an audit to make sure companies are complying with the original deal. It also would allow you to negotiate for money for capital equipment or where your public access channel is located,” Edgecomb said.

Boothbay region cable customers were notified by Spectrum that their public access channel is moving from channel 7 to 1301 later this month. BRCTV manager Cody Mitchell is concerned about the cable provider being able to move BRCTV’s location without any municipal input. He also believes re-examining the town’s cable franchise agreement would be good for both BRCTV and cable users. Mitchell attended the regional meeting in Wiscasset.

“My goal is to bring awareness to how important a franchise agreement is to both BRCTV and consumers. The technology is changing rapidly and an updated agreement would benefit everybody by re-examining what is available to the town,” Mitchell said.

Selectmen have previously tried renegotiating with Time Warner without success. If the town joins a consortium, there would be a consulting fee to pay. Sewall is requesting a minimum of three municipalities to form a consortium and contribute a minimum of $15,000 for services.

“To pay that kind of money, I’m looking for some kind of guarantee,” Selectman Steve Lewis said. “What are we getting for our money?”

Edgecomb responded he could guarantee only one thing. “You will get the best deal possible,” he said. 

Sewall has contracted with Alna and North Yarmouth. Sewall is also trying to form a consortium of towns in the greater Bangor area.

Selectmen want to check with municipal officials in Alna and North Yarmouth for their satisfaction with Sewall’s services before making a decision. Selectmen voted unanimously to table any action regarding joining a Lincoln County consortium.

The selectmen will meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13 in the municipal conference room.