HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-18-CAC-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 18, 2021
CONDUCTED BY REMOTE PARTICIPATION
Members Present: Ken Pogran, Chair; Bob Avallone, Dave Becker, Dave Buczkowski, Smita
Desai, Dorinda Goodman, Nick Lauriat, PK Shiu, Rita Vachani
Members Absent: Ramin Taraz
Quorum: A quorum of members was present.
Others Present: Florence DelSanto (LexMedia), Vivek Gupta(New member applicant), Steve
Kaufman (New member applicant), Mark Sandeen (Select Board liaison)
Materials Referenced:
• 2021 Appt- Communications Advisory Committee Application - V. Gupta.pdf
• 2021 Appt- Communications Advisory Committee Application - S. Kaufman.pdf
• DRAFT CAC Meeting Minutes February 18, 2021
1. Call to order and roll call—Ken Pogran
Communications Advisory Committee (CAC) Chair Ken Pogran conducted the roll call and
called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom
teleconferencing. No service provider representatives were present.
2. PEG revenue trends report—Rita Vachani
Rita Vachani presented the PEG trend analysis showing potential shortfall in LexMedia funding
if cord-cutting accelerates and PEG revenue continues to decrease. Mark Sandeen recommended
sending a quarterly report to the Select Board and a presentation of the actuals at the end of two
years.
3. Select Board liaison report -Mark Sandeen
Mark Sandeen had no new updates.
4. Service provider reports
No service providers were present and no new updates were submitted.
5. Chairman's Report—Ken Pogran
There was a typo in the RCN license transfer approval letter. This was corrected and revised
letter hadsbeen sent.
Three applications were received for new member vacancies on the Committee. Applicants are
Vivek Gupta, Steve Kaufman and Rina Kodendera, though Rina Kodendera had withdrawn her
application.
6. Telecom Issues —Mark Sandeen
Mark Sandeen mentioned about pending proposals in the state legislature regarding imposing 5%
fee on services streamed using the public right of way. He also shared some links for further
information. This item will be put on agenda for discussion at the next meeting.
Mark Sandeen also suggested that the Committee should send recommendations to the Select
Board regarding position on net neutrality.
7. Verizon FiOS cable television license renewal—Dave Becker, Dave Buczkowski, Nick
Lauriat
Verizon had responded on March 15, 2021 and the response includes proposed changes such as,
contract duration of five years, option for Verizon to terminate the contract at their discretion
with 60 days' notice and one HD PEG channel. Mark Sandeen recommended sending a memo to
the town counsel outlining the Committee's position.
8. Town IT Update—Dorinda Goodman
Dorinda Goodman indicated that negotiations had restarted with AT&T regarding the cell tower
now that the Lexington Police Station building was being rebuilt.
9. Wireless applications —Nick Lauriat
No wireless applications were received.
10. Complaints —Smita Desai(February), Dave Buczkowski(March)
No complaints were received by committee members.
Upcoming: Dave Buczkowski (March), Bob Avallone (April)
11. Review Minutes of the February 18, 2021 CAC Meeting
The minutes of the meeting of February 18'', 2021 were approved by Ken Pogran, Chair; Dave
Becker, Dave Buczkowski, Smita Desai, Dorinda Goodman, Nick Lauriat, PK Shiu.
12. Committee membership applications
Vivek Gupta and Steve Kaufman introduced themselves, explained their interest in joining the
Committee, and answered questions from Committee members. Ken Pogran requested that the
Committee members send him their feedback on the candidates by email, so that he could
provide feedback to the Select Board office.
13. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Smita Desai
Recording Secretary