HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-16-CAC-min RECEIVED
2023 '19 ,Jan, &54 arn
TOWN OF LEXINGTON TOWN CL,ERK
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE LEXINGTON
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JUNE 16, 2022
CONDUCTED BY REMOTE PARTICIPATION
1. Call to Order and Roll Call.
Communications Advisory Committee (CAC) Chair Kenneth Pogran called the meeting to order at 6:35
PM and called the roll.The meeting was conducted remotely via Zoom
Members Present(via Zoom): Ken Pogran (Chair), Ramin Taraz, Pk Shiu, Rita Vachani, Nick Lauriat,
Dorinda Goodman, Bob Avallone, Smita Desai, Florence DelSanto. Dave Becker, Steve Kaufman
Members not Present: Dave Buckowski
Materials Referenced: Draft Minutes of the May, 2022 meeting
Others Present: Florence DelSanto, LexMedia. No service provider representatives and no Select Board
members attended.
2. Chairman's Report—Ken Pogran
Mr. Pogran noted this would be the last meeting until September 15th. A public meeting regarding
LexMedia may be held in September.The committee may go back to in person meetings in the fall. In
September 3 people will need to get reappointed on the committee.
Comcast license renewal coming up. PK Shiu to set up a zoom meeting to discuss with working group
subcommittee end of July (Dave, Dave, Ken, PK, Nick)
3. LexMedia Update— Florence DelSanto
LexMedia just installed a new broadcast server.Things are working properly so far but were some issues
with the archive server they are investigating. LexMedia very busy now covering end of year graduation
ceremonies as well as Pride events, sports events. Four college interns are working with LexMedia this
summer. LexMedia has a film making workshop for students the last week of August.
4. Review of Meeting Minutes from May
Meeting minutes as prepared by Ramin Taraz were reviewed. Suggested edits were discussed.There
was a motion to approve the minutes and they were approved as amended (Pk Shiu Abstained).
5. Report on Comcast
FCC has money to help people get internet service for people who cannot afford it. Will provide up to
$30 to help. Comcast Internet Essentials uses$30 subsidy to help people to afford Internet.They also
provide education on the Internet. Everyone who gets a cable bill helps to subsidize this program. In
past Comcast provided a 20% discount to lower income residents via a side letter. Also, Comcast
provided a discount for service to the library. We should request these items from Comcast in the
negotiation.
6. LexMedia Quarterly Report
The report covered financial metrics,training, programming hours.The report was viewed to be in good
shape. Everything looks fine.The report was approved by the group unanimously.
Reviewed LexMedia discussion with Select Board. Select board was supportive of plans to provide
supplemental funding to LexMedia. Select Board also supported not having public hearings regarding
the LexMedia contract renewal and also not having meeting between LexMedia and Select Board.
A vote was requested on Amendment No. 2 to Lexington Cable Access Agreement.This was approved by
the group unanimously.
Next, CAC discussed and voted to approve contract extension and amendment no. 3 to Lexington Cable
Access Agreement, and to waive public hearing requirement.This was approved unanimously.
7. Discussion of Cord Cutting
State had discussed taxing streaming services to supplement loss of revenue from cable companies. But
this bill did not advance in the legislative session. Discussion that CAC needs to explore this topic
further,to investigate whether alternative forms of funding from streaming will emerge.
8. Town IT Update.
Town buying new equipment and renewing contract. Ordered a UPS replacement but will not be able to
get it until September. Using temporary alternatives until then. Other damaged equipment was repaired
as needed. Preparing for move of police department to a temporary building in 6 weeks.
9. Wireless applications.
No update on this topic. Question whether CAC needs to review applications going forward given new
regulations.
10. Complaints
There have not been complaints. Nothing from May or June. Nick will cover July, Steve will cover August,
and PK, September.
11. Adjourn
Group moved to adjourn at 745PM
Respectfully submitted,
Steven Kaufman