A move is on to get a public access cable TV channel started in Hooksett, with supporters hoping the vote will be in their favor this year, unlike last year.

For decades, Comcast cable TV subscribers have paid a small franchise fee in their bills, which is sent to the town. It’s money meant for the town to be able to run a public TV channel, but because there is no such channel, the money has gone into the town’s general fund. That amounts to more than $100,000 a year.

On voting day in Hooksett, which is May 12, Warrant Article 20 will ask for those fees to be put toward a public access channel in a special fund, rather than the general fund.

According to a flier Hooksett resident David Pearl has distributed, a television studio could be set up at the Hooksett Town Hall, and meeting rooms at the building could be rigged with cameras and other necessary equipment which would allow meetings to be shown.

Other uses for the publicaccess channel include local programming about Hooksett, like sporting events, concerts and plays. Emergency announcements and instructions would be made on the channel. A message board could list upcoming town events and public information. Schools could even contribute by producing programming. The flier quotes several officials as being in support of the article.

Dr. Charles “Phil” Littlefield, SAU 15 superintendent, is quoted as saying, “The development of community-based television, among other things, provides Hooksett with the opportunity to bring government into every living room. It is a wonderful way to bring democracy to the people.”

Bill Gahara of HYAA supports the idea, as does Hooksett Town Councilor Paul Loiselle. Fire Chief Michael Williams says it would be a great tool for the Hooksett Fire Department.

“Communicating with our residents through television would be a great way for us to keep the residents informed about all Fire Department fundtions,” according to the flier.

While Pearl operates his own video business, he would not run the public access channel.

“First of all,” he said, “although I operate a video business, I don’t have a background in community TV. Second, I plan to devote all of my time to Spotlight Video. I would not rule out serving on a board, as a citizen. Pearl said the Town Council would be charged with creating a board to oversee the operation of the public channel.

“Some have mentioned that the warrant doesn’t address all of the specifics,” said Pearl. “That is because we are voting on creating community TV, not trying to set forth exactly how it would run. Should it pass, the people of Hooksett or their representatives will have to decide all of the details.”

Last year’s vote on the same topic failed 551-442. The 2 percent charge on each cable bill has continued to go into the general fund to help offset taxes.