Southwick Select Board trims budget hearings, reviews Channel 15
Southwick Select Board reviews Channel 15 operations, moves to shrink 2026 budget hearings. Director Ken Stomsky defended the PEG department's staffing and equipment against earlier criticism, telling the board it takes in about $50,000 a year in franchise fees and spends roughly $40,000.
Select Board · Meeting of January 5, 2026
Southwick Select Board reviews Channel 15 operations, moves to shrink 2026 budget hearings. Director Ken Stomsky defended the PEG department's staffing and equipment against earlier criticism, telling the board it takes in about $50,000 a year in franchise fees and spends roughly $40,000. Member Russ Anderson said Southwick's public-access presence has become "an afterthought," while Westfield tech consultant Peter pegged a full broadcast studio at "$250,000." The board also acknowledged $34,541.10 and $43,896.28 in December snow-removal costs, approved an elderly tax abatement 2-0, and heard the town administrator's plan to replace two full Saturday budget hearings with shorter department meetings ahead of the fiscal 2027 budget.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 831 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of January 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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