Canfield council laments cable prices

BY AMANDA C. DAVIS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

CANFIELD — Another rate increase is in store for city residents who receive cable services through Armstrong.

City Councilman Daniel Frazzini told council Wednesday that he believes four years of rate increases is enough.

“I think we need to get some competition in here,” he said, explaining that another increase is unfortunate because of the economy and its effect on residents.

City Manager Joseph Warino said the city has a contract with Armstrong, but that it’s not exclusive, and other providers are able to supply residents with cable.

Armstrong intends to increase its basic cable package this year by 4.6 percent, from $51.45 per month to $53.95 per month, Warino said.

Frazzini said he looked into past increases and found that basic services increased by $2 in 2006 and 2007, $2.57 in 2008 and $3.09 last year.

In addition to this year’s increase, which will be implemented in March, Warino said Armstrong will charge an additional $1 per month for each high-definition unit in a home and $1 per month for each TV that has a personal video recorder.

Warino said Armstrong will offer $1 off each month for residents who pay their bills online.

In other news, Warino said he intends to have legislation drafted that calls for the city to destroy any firearms confiscated during arrests and police investigations. He said the city usually collects about five or six of these guns each year.

Destroying them makes more sense than selling them because it would be a shame if the guns were returned to the street and used against an officer or resident, Warino said.

Council also approved an ordinance authorizing Warino to sign a contract with MS Consultants Inc. for general-engineering services for the year, not to exceed $13,000.

Council appointed resident Dick Dieter to the city’s Design Review/Historical Preservation Committee to fill the unexpired term of David Morrison, who resigned. Dieter’s term expires Dec. 31, 2011.