A small upstate New York town rejected Time Warner Cable's request for a 15-year cable franchise after the nation's second largest MSO failed to send a representative to a public meeting last week. Instead, the town of Massena, N.Y., located on the border of Canada, issued Time Warner an one-year extension on its franchise, which is set to expire on Dec. 25.

Time Warner Cable's franchise renewal in Massena is a good example of some of the challenges large cable MSOs face in negotiating agreements with remote communities. While Time Warner Cable is the only pay TV provider to offer service in Massena, the town reportedly isn't happy with the terms it was offered by the company.

"They're asking for a 15-year extension, which is absolutely totally outrageous," Massena deputy supervisor Albert Nicola told the Watertown Daily Times. "It's tough to ask questions of a group that isn't here," Nicola added.

Time Warner Cable spokeswoman Stephanie Salanger said the company wasn't aware of the meeting the Massena town board held last week to discuss its franchise, and that the MSO had been gathering information requested by the town to prepare for a future meeting.

"We consider all of our 628 franchises in Central and Northern New York vitally important to delivering information and entertainment needs to our customers--no matter where they are located," Salanger told FierceCable. "We look forward to continuing productive discussions with the Massena town board regarding their franchise renewal and will continue to operate under the current agreement until such time as a new one can be reached."