2005-11-17-CAC-MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Here are brief notes from last night's (Nov. 17,2005 )Communications Advisory Meeting: There was no quorum as only Jeanne Krieger, Jeanne Canale, Dave Buczkowski and I (Jim Baker) attended -- along with Comcast's Jane Lyman. 1. Comcast report -- Jane said the Wales Copy Shop might agree to become a third-party payment center, but further discussion is necessary. She submitted a list of Lexington businesses approached through October, but indicated none was interested in becoming a payment site. The Wales shop was so listed, but is a possibility. She said a payment site would get $1 per transaction. Jeanne Krieger noted that East Lexington businesses were not among those approached. Jane insisted that Comcast is serious about avoiding non-compliance. Jane also said Comcast's late payment for the franchise fee that had been due March 15 was submitted to Lynne Pease Aug. 10 in the amount of $248.30. 2. Jeanne Canale reported that both Comcast and RCN now have paid their annual franchise fees. She said she'll notify Lynne Pease that Baker should be added to the email list regarding the cable payments from Comcast and RCN. The emails will contain payment info, amounts and dates when payments are due. She reported the PEG account, not including November, reached $299,165.85. And with the next CAC meeting Dec. 15, she said LexMedia goes before the selectmen that month regarding financial commitments, enhancements, etc. 3. Baker reported that RCN's contract requires ANNUAL RCN payments due no later than March 15 and, on the subject of any late payments, Bank of America confirmed that the current prime rate is 7 percent. The contract stipulates that "interest due on such fee shall accrue from the date at the rate of 3 percent above the prime rate." Baker also mentioned a complaint from a resident and Comcast subscriber that she does not have access to the Hallmark channel, unlike a friend in neighboring Waltham. Comcast confirmed Waltham gets that channel on its standard cable package, but Lexington does not because it was not "negotiated." Which raises questions about who is "negotiating" TV-cable programming in Lexington and why a "standard package" would differ in Waltham and Lexington. Baker, and perhaps others, can inquire from Lyman at the December meeting. The Comcast official who made the "negotiation" claim is Leonie Allston. 4. Dave Buczkowski reported a communication from Jim Barry about a cable reception problem regarding RCN Ch. 9 and New Hampshire PBS Ch. 11, but it seems to have lessened iin the past week. 5. With so few attending, much of the committee's planned agenda was scrapped.