The city of Burlington moved one step closer to becoming the first Vermont community to own and operate its own cable system.
State hearing officer John Bentley concluded that the Vermont Public Service Board should grant the city permission to offer the cable service, AP reported.
Adelphia Communications Corp. is the incumbent operator in Burlington.
Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle called the recommendation “good news,” but told AP the city's fight wasn't over. “People ought to know that Adelphia is doing everything they can to slow us down," he said. “We hope they won't be successful.”
Adelphia lawyer Lisa Birmingham told AP the MSO opposed the city spending public money on the venture, adding, “We thought that was in conflict with the city charter. It appears that the hearing officer agreed with us on the spending of public money.”
