By Melanie Petrucci, Contributing Writer

(l to r) Lori Bergman, SMC programming coordinator; Lou Swinand, SMC Advisory Board chair; and Bill Nay, manager. (Photo/Melanie Petrucci)
Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury Media Connection (SMC) will be celebrating its 30th year in 2016. Established to provide locally produced and televised governmental, community and educational programming, SMC has become an integral partner to many organizations such as Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services, the Shrewsbury Public Library and the Spirit of Shrewsbury. Notably, SMC brings Town Meetings live to the public.
“In the early ‘80s, a group of Shrewsbury residents had the foresight that local cable was important and recognized its potential as a central communications point,” Manager Bill Nay said.
A feasibility study for a franchise was conducted and in 1982 the Board of Selectmen approved the formation of Shrewsbury Community Cablevision (SCC). Shrewsbury was granted its CATV license in 1983, establishing the first state-of-the art, town-owned telecommunications system in the northeast, but not without controversy. That notion was met with conflict as nearby communities and cable providers legally fought Shrewsbury and the case went before the Supreme Court. Shrewsbury prevailed, and SCC was established per license agreement (a mandate to provide for community cable). SCC later changed its name to Shrewsbury Media Connection.
After a rough start, George Preston was hired in 1986 as SCC’s first manager and things took off. Being a subsidiary of Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations (SELCO), an Advisory Board made up of producers and volunteers was established to maintain checks and balance between the manager/staff and SELCO’s Light Commission.
Initially located at Town Hall, the studio moved to Parker Road and was officially dedicated in 1992. Preston’s first hire was Lori Bergman as an administrative assistant. She is now program coordinator. SMC is funded through SELCO’s cable revenue per federal law that mandates that public access be covered by up to 5 percent of cable providers’ revenue. It receives 3 percent for operating expenses and 2 percent for salaries.
Bill Nay took the reins in 1993.
“Back then there was a good core of volunteers,” he said.
Bergman agrees: “You would meet people from all walks of life some liked to do camera work and others liked to be on TV. It’s a really neat place to be.”
SMC annually presents a Producer of the Year Award at its Annual Awards Dinner, a tradition that recognizes and celebrates volunteers who produce shows for and inspired by the community.
“Ninety percent are produced by volunteers and this is how we celebrate their efforts,” Nay said.
A scholarship is also awarded at this event, funded through The Friends of Shrewsbury Media Connection, a 501(c)3 organization that raises scholarship and capital project funding.
According to Lou Swinand, chair of the Advisory Board, “we offer a lot for young people who are interested in television and broadcast communications. Through volunteering and internships, SMC has trained a lot of people, some who have gone on to careers in the industry.”
SMC also advises area schools in their broadcast pursuits.
SMC is a relaxed atmosphere, its family friendly and is very much like a community center. Training to operate cameras, edit and other production aspects are offered to the public and thousands of Shrewsbury residents have been involved over the years.
“It’s a place where the community can come and express themselves on camera and on-line as well. All of our shows are on-line and in HD,” Nay said.
To learn more about SMC or to watch programs online, visit http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/department/board.php?fDD=20-89.