HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-20-CAC-MIN
MINUTES OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY
COMMITTEE MEETING
SEPTEMBER 20, 2007
Present: CAC members Jeanne Canale, Linda Roemer; LexMedia representatives Alan
Lazarus and George Preston; Carl Valente, Lexington Town Manager, Kevin Batl, Town
Counsel; Jane Lyman, Comcast; Kevin Johnson.
George Burnell, Selectman, arrived at 7 p.m. Jill Reddish, Verizon, arrived at 7:15 and
,
Jim GonzalezCAC member, arrived at 7:30.
LexMedia
The LexMedia proposal to amend its contract with the Town was discussed. LexMedia
asked to have 80% of the franchise fees paid directly to LexMedia. The Town Manager
and Town Counsel explained why this was not a possibility.
LexMedia also requested an additional $30,000 in its annual operating budget. The
Town Manager pointed out that there was provision in the contract for changes and that
the annual amount paid to LexMedia by the town could be adjusted. Similarly, some
arrangement could be made to take care of the problem of operating funds once the initial
$150,000 was spent down. The Town Manager said that LexMedia should make a
proposal regarding these matters to the CAC which would make a recommendation to the
Board of Selectmen.
George Preston also requested that all the years under which LexMedia operated should
be standardized to run from July 1 to June 30. This could also be taken care of by an
amendment to the contract.
It was noted that the $400,000 bids for Kline Hall included construction only -- “bricks
and mortar”.
The discussion of the LexMedia evaluation was held over until 8:30 when there was a
special meeting devoted to it.
Comcast –
Jane Lyman said that Comcast had received a question about the tower at
Walnut Street. She doesn’t know the answer and is consulting with the engineering
people. In response to a citizen concern, she stated that Comcast does not sell its click
stream data. She asked about the date of the move and was told that it would not be
before January 1, 2008.
RCN –
Although Tom Steel was not present, he had informed Jeanne Canale that RCN
does not do anything with the click stream data.
Verizon --
Jill stated the Verizon similarly does not track click stream data. As a build-
out report, she stated that 89% of the town was now covered. In a discussion of free
drops in public buildings, Jill pointed out that Pine Meadows was a different case because
it is a business.
Chairman’s Report --
Jeanne reported that Dave Buczkowski had toldher that he
would have to cut back temporarily on his work with the CAC. Jeanne asked the
committee if under these circumstances, he should remain on the CAC. The members
felt that he was a valuable member and that the committee would benefit from whatever
time he was able to devote to it.
Wireless --
In Ed Vail’s absence, the chairman reported that he was following up on
three sites. He has also met with town officials and there is agreement on the needed
changes to the wireless bylaws.
Negotiation Subcommittee Report –
It was noted that a meeting had been held.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20.