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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-12-15-CAC-MIN Communications Advisory Committee 12/15/05 1. Members present: Maria Kieslich, Miriam Boucher, Dave Buczkowski, Jeanne Canale, Dave Becker, Jim Baker. Guest: John Rommelfanger, potential Committee member Selectmen Liaison: Jeanne Krieger 2. Minutes from October meeting approved 3. RCN Report: ?? No RCN representative present. ?? Dave Buczkowski updated the Committee on the RCN buildout negotiation. Recommendation will be to take the proposal from RCN including the money. Amend the current contract to say that if the buildout is less than $500, RCN will cover, but more than that, the requesting residence will have to pay. Next steps are to have a brief chat with Tom and then bring the recommendation to the Selectmen. ?? Peter Epstein volunteered to help craft language for RCN contract to readdress sections on INET, in case of RCN dissolution. 4. No Comcast representative present. ?? Discussion of Wales Copy Shop for Payment Center. Jeanne Canale to talk to Jane Lyman about approaching Wales. Contact there is Karen Packard. stnd ?? INET Connectivity Meeting. Dave Becker to set up meeting in 1 or 2 week of January to discuss. Members from LexMedia will be invited. Dave to forward all information and Alan Lazarus, Chairman of the Board of LexMedia. 5. Chair’s Report ?? The Committee’s annual report was submitted to the committee for review. Reminder to review and send back comments. The only major changes was in reference to oversight of LexMedia. ?? Committee was notified that Steve Ellis plans to resign. 6. Verizon Update- None 7. LexMedia Report – ?? Introduction of George Preston, new Executive Director to the Committee. ?? Recognition of extreme service and excellent coverage by LexMedia of recent KeySpan gas crisis in Town ?? Alan Lazarus, Chairman of the Board, gave brief presentation about LexMedia. The same presentation is planned for subsequent Selectmen’s meeting. See attached. ?? Alan L made a formal request of the Committee for the quarterly tax bill. He was asked to submitted a request to the Committee in writing to Jeanne C. 8. Other LexMedia ?? Dave Becker recommended that the Committee consider allowing LexMedia to directly receive money from the PEG account. He reminded the Committee that currently the Town is on the hook if not enough money comes through the PEG account. Being an intermediary of the funds places the Town at legal and financial risk. ?? Maria recommended that a letter come from the Committee and the Board of Selectmen, recognizing Jim Akimchuk’s service to the Town as acting Executive Director for LexMedia. She will draft a letter for the Board. Committee voted to support such a letter. 9. Cable Operator’s Matrix /Payment Schedule . Discussed Current PEG Account. Balance. All payments seem to be reflected in the accounting statement. Continue to monitor and understand how and when credits are appearing on the statement. It is still unclear what is the current balance. 10. Complaints for October: Two programming issues were brought to the Committee’s attention. One, when a subscriber inquired of Comcast customer service about getting the Hallmark Channel, they were told that the channel selection was up the Town. This is erroneous and will be voiced to Jane Lyman in the next meeting she attends. Two, When RCN moves to all digital, its channels for local access may change to be in the 900’s. This was unclear to the operators at RCN and Committee will question RCN representative when he is next present. 11. Wireless Antenna sub-committee: ?? Nextel continues to show interest. 12. Town Liaison Report – Connie R not present 13. New Business –Introduction of John Rommelfanger, Applicant for Committee Membership. He introduced himself, discussed his interest and background.