Published: January 20, 2009 11:23 pm      

Bismarck signs cable contract

BISMARCK — The village board agreed to a five-year franchise agreement with Full Choice Communications on Tuesday night.

The franchise agreement, which is non-exclusive, will pay the village a three percent franchise fee based on the basic cable subscription for each customer.

“I know we have a lot of work to do to regain good will in Bismarck,” said Todd Harris, president of Full Choice Communications, referring to previous cable TV companies that have operated in Bismarck.

“I would hope that after our initial five-year agreement, we can negotiate a ten-year agreement,” Harris added.

Harris went on to tell the board that on April 1 Full Choice will expand the number of channels offered from the current 30 to 87 channels. Harris also said the Bismarck system is a completely buried system with no cable wires on poles.

Full Choice also offers high-speed broadband internet service as well as telephone service.

In other action, trustees:

-- Heard Village President Eleanor White said she will be seeking additional sheriff’s patrols around the Bismarck-Henning Grade School to crack down on persons who make U-turns in the street. White said the situation is dangerous with children crossing the street to the school grounds. The village has passed an ordinance forbidding U-turns near the school.

-- Hired Andrew Lee Weathers as a part-time village maintenance employee.