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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-19-CAC-MIN Communications Advisory Committee Meeting January 19, 2006 6:30pm Estabrook Hall Meeting Opened at 6:35pm with six voting members present (Akimchuk, Baker, Boucher, Buczkowski, Canale, Kieslich. 1. Comcast Report rd a. 3 party payment redemption center i. Jane Wyman noted that Comcast had spoken to Karen at the Wales rd Copy Center who stated that they do not want to participate as a 3 party payment redemption center. ii. Jane Wyman submitted a list of all contacted businesses to the committee. iii. Dave B. mentioned that Emily at Nature’s Way cleaners has expressed rd interest in acting as the 3 party payment center. Jane will follow up. b. DPW asked for maps for an existing conditions survey. Maps sent 1/6/06. c. Complaint received re: dangerous pole. Replacement pole was installed, all wires were connected, and damaged pole was removed. d. Jim Baker asked why the Hallmark channel is available in Waltham but not Lexington. i. Call center claimed this was due to “negotiated Channels”. Per Jane Wyman, programming is NOT negotiated at a local level. Programming can be different between Head-ends. It is possible that this is the cause. e. INET Meetings. i. Jeanne C. requested dates for meeting. ii. Jane Wyman will try to coordinate. iii. Jeanne C. will get dates from George Preston (LexMedia) and will get back to Jane with dates and agenda. f. Jane Wyman summarized the most recent payments by Comcast to the Town. 2. Brian Merrick – MA Department of Telcom a. Introduction and Background i. Practice Guide should act as a roadmap ii. Brian is a “resource” to the committee. b. Process commencement should begin three years prior to contract expiration. i. Can be initated by a letter or a public hearing. c. Ascertainment – “Information and discovery” i. Required to hold public hearing on proposal. ii. Public hearing to announce terms of contract to be signed 1. More than one meeting is probably advisable 2. Can also do surveys – gather data regarding trends within the community. iii. Rates and programming can NOT be included in contract because they can not be dictated by a municipality. d. Ascertainment should begin as soon as possible to the process commencement i. Brian discussed the “Texas” process and packaging potentially to be used by Verizon (push to loosen franchising) ii. Suggested speaking with Police, Fire, etc. to determine “public needs”. iii. Review other requirements due to language in existing contracts (re: level playing field or encumbered funds). iv. Get letters from other constituents of the town asking for services. e. Grounds for terminating contracts i. Lack of substantial compliance ii. Quality of services iii. Can service provider deliver services iv. Are Town’s needs being met f. Official proposal from cable provider can not be given until the municipality requests it. i. 120 days to review, accept or deny. ii. Can enter open informal discussions/negotiations prior to official request for proposal. iii. There are websites with RFPs that can be used upfront to negotiate “expectations” 1. MUST SPECIFY “Informal purposes only” iv. License term is the municipality’s leverage 3. Minutes from the last meeting were reviewed and approved as amended. 4. RCN Report a. Tom Steele contacted Jeanne C. to inform her that he was unable to attend the meeting due to a requirement to be in Washington DC. b. Tom will send the committee his RCN reports from OCT-05 through DEC-05. c. In the future, Tom will have Linda Duggin attend in his stead if he is unable to attend. 5. Chairman’s Report a. No Complaints in December. b. The Annual Report was submitted. c. Letter received from Comcast re: Price increase. d. Verizon needs dates from the Negotiation Sub-committee i. Verizon Rep = Marry Rafferty ii. Verizon will be represented at all negotiation by contracted outside council. iii. Dave B. asked that Verizon provide electronic responses to the Issuing Authority Report identifying needs. e. Letter received from LexMedia requesting considerations for dealing with Cable Providers i. Committee discussed the current INET in lieu of the request ii. Questions around the process of moving connections to a new studio. iii. LexMedia requests a “strand map” from Comcast INET iv. LOTS OF DISCUSSION about technology and future needs. v. Committee formally requests that LexMedia provide suggestions and recommendations regarding “technology asks” to be considered in upcoming negotiations. f. George Preston will be LexMedia’s representative to report to the committee. i. Committee will consider options for report format. ii. Discussion on community questionnaire to identify future wants/needs. iii. Ask Comcast for information on all active drops iv. Jeanne Krieger to get permission for inspection/walk through of Town buildings (from Town Manager and School Committee). v. Need to establish the role of LexMedia in negotiations and requests for adding technology. 6. Financial Report a. Maria K. reviewed the fund reports b. Requested detailed deposit history (2 years) from the town. c. Jeanne Canale will follow up on where the 4/1/05 – 6/30/05 payment from Comcast is. d. Revolving funds are invested with other town funds. Interest earned goes to the Town’s General Fund. 7. Verizon Update a. No Update per Dave Becker. b. Committee discussed whether or not contract negotiations can/should be discussed in executive session. i. Jeanne K. will look into whether or not contract negotiations can be discussed on executive session. 8. Wireless Applications a. Letter submitted by Miriam B. explaining confusion around bylaws and request process. i. Makes recommendations for clarifying changes to bylaws and instructions ii. Committee must initiate a process for public discussion of proposed changes. 9. Old Business a. Jeanne C. requested content for the Committee’s website. b. Committee needs to determine how listserv comments/issues should be addressed and resolved. 10. New Business a. The April 2006 meeting was moved to April 27, 2006 b. Town Meeting is March 27, 2006. c. Next Meeting is February 16, 2006 Meeting adjourned at 9:20pm