Mayors: Keep town-by-town TV permitting

The Massachusetts Mayors’ Association voted today to oppose legislation that would allow video providers to get approval from the state, instead of negotiating cable franchises town by town.

The proposal, supported by Verizon Communications Inc., was criticized by Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone. It would take power away from communities, he said.

He will head a task force that will fight the measure.

Verizon has franchises to bring its FiOS TV product to 39 Massachusetts municipalities and is negotiating for franchises in 25 others.

‘‘It’s too bad the mayors are siding with the cable industry instead of consumers, who want a choice in their cable provider,’’ Verizon spokesman Phil Santoro said via e-mail.
(By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe staff)