New Appointments to Cable Television Advisory Committee and Transportation and Parking Commission

Cable Television Advisory Committee

In a memo to the Town Council and the Town Clerk dated February 17, 2026, Town Manager Paul Bockelman nominated five voting members to the Cable Television Advisory Committee for one-year terms expiring December 31, 2026. 

This committee provides advice and assistance in negotiating and complying with the cable television license agreement for cable television service, in accordance with the framework set forth by federal and state law.

The Cable Television Advisory Committee (CTAC), an Ad Hoc Town committee responsible for advising and assisting with the upcoming license renewal process with Comcast, the Town’s current cable operator. Through the committee, Amherst residents can participate in shaping the future of cable services in our community by serving on this important committee. 

Every 10 years, the Town of Amherst conducts a comprehensive review and renewal of its cable license to ensure community needs are met and service standards maintained.  The contract is up for renewal this year. Currently, Comcast is the sole provider holding a franchise agreement to provide cable services within the Town of Amherst. The CTAC was formed to support and facilitate this renewal process. “The cable television landscape is changing rapidly,” said Bockelman. “We are seeking residents who are eager to dig into the world of cable television and anticipate the needs of the Town over the next decade. The key skill is an eagerness to learn the industry and willingness to read documents in order to provide well-reasoned advice.”

Bockelman’s nominations were unanimously recommended by the Town Services and Outreach Committee at their meeting on February 19, 2026, and approved on the consent agenda (that is, without discussion or deliberation) at the February 23 Town Council meeting. They are: 

• Peter Berek, Woodlot Road 

• Frederick Civian, High Point Drive 

• John Milas, Northampton Road 

• Brianna Sunryd, Flat Hills Road

• Rachel Figurasmith, North Valley Road, Pelham 

Sean Hannon, Director of Information Technology (ex officio), was nominated as a non-voting member.

Bockelman noted that, although Figurasmith is a resident of Pelham, she is the executive director of Amherst Media. Bockelman requested that the council approve her appointment in her role as executive director of Amherst Media under Section 3.3(c) of the Amherst Home Rule Charter, which permits appointments of non-residents with explicit approval by the Town Council. However, the council did not discuss her appointment or take a vote of approval under Section 3.3(c).

Profiles
The Town Manager provided the following biographical profiles of the nominees.

• Peter Berek has been a customer of Comcast for many decades. He is the former Dean of the Faculty and Provost at Mount Holyoke College, where he oversaw all computing services, networking, and Internet access. He has previously served on the Zoning Board of Appeals. He would like to bring a special focus to improving Comcast’s customer service for all residents who subscribe to cable television. 

• Frederick Civian comes to the committee with extensive experience in working in a complex regulatory environment. He will bring an understanding of public involvement, writing reports, and serving on committees. In his previous community, he served on the Conservation Commission, School Committee, Finance Committee, and School Building Committee. He worked for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for 35 years before his retirement. He brings an open mind and few biases about cable television and its services. 

• John Milas is a pre-law student at Amherst College. He is interested in the legal nexus of utilizing private interests for a public good. He brings skills in reviewing and analyzing documents and will bring a student’s perspective to the work. 

• Brianna Sunryd has worked in public information, media, and technology her entire career. She brings extensive experience working in the digital domain with specialized experience in the municipal sector. She previously worked for both the Town of Amherst and City of Worcester in I.T., municipal cable services, and community participation. She is eager to directly impact the Town’s media landscape to ensure that public, education, and governmental access channels meet community needs and remain a valuable resource for all community members. She previously served on the Board of Directors of Amherst Media. 

• Rachel Figurasmith is the executive director at Amherst Media. She is a non-profit professional with experience in budgeting, negotiation, and communication. She is an elected member of the Pelham School Committee. 

• Sean Hannon is the Town’s Director of Information Technology.

For information on the Cable Television Advisory Committee see here. 

Town Officials Nominated for Transportation and Parking Commission: Resident Members to Be Appointed Later
In a memo to the Town Council and the Town Clerk dated February 17, 2026, Bockelman nominated the four designated members of the new Transportation and Parking Commission to join Town Councilors George Ryan and Sam MacLeod. He will nominate the three resident members of the commission at a later date and said that the commission will not hold its first meeting until all members have been appointed. Nominated are:

• Police Chief or designee: Chief Gabriel Ting for a term to expire June 30, 2029; 

• Superintendent of Public Works or designee: Superintendent Guilford Mooring for a term to expire June 30, 2027; 

• Director of Planning and Economic Development or designee: Director Jeff Bagg for a term to expire June 30, 2028; 

• Member of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities: Ian Rhodewalt for a term to expire June 30, 2027.

These appointments were unanimously recommended by the Town Services and Outreach Committee and approved on the Consent Agenda atthe February 23 Town Council meeting.. For more information about the Transportation and Parking Commission, which was approved by the Town Council in December 2025, see here.