HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-21-CAC-minTOWN OF LEXINGTON
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2013
Call to order. CAC Chair Jim Goell called the meeting to order at 6:31 PM in Room —
G -15 (Parker Room) of Town Hall.
Present: CACMembers: Jim Goell, Chair; Ken Pogran; Linda Roemer; Dorinda
Goodman; David Becker; Smita Desai; Nick Lauriat and David Buczkowski. Others:
Florence Delsanto, LexMedia.
1. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes. The minutes of the meeting of January 17,
2013 meeting were approved with a correction to add Nick Lauriat as meeting secretary.
2. Selectmen's Liaison Report. None. Mr. Burnell was not present
3. Carrier Reports. None
4. Chairman's Report.
a. As to close captioning, David Ilsley is looking for further quotes as the original
quote is too expensive and not real time. The intent is to use portable equipment
for the library live feed, initially. The expected $5,560.00 cost will probably come
out of CAC funds.
b. There is a meeting scheduled for Tuesday regarding stringing cables over Maa.
Avenue or moving the reviewing stand for the Patriot's Day parade.
c. The school sent their wants in but didn't copy Ray Drapeau (for Comcast
negotiations). It was agreed that Jim Goell will contact Mr. Drapeau about
completing the drop compilation.
d. A discussion was held on why nothing had been heard about small cell sites.
e.. No meeting will be scheduled for March per unanimous vote after motion by
Ms. Roemer and second by Mr. Becker. The next meeting will be scheduled for
April after polling the members.
5. LexMedia.
A. Quarterly Report. The report was in one time. A response was made that
stressed the CAC's concern about fundraising. There was discussion regarding the
need for Year over Year data. Mr. Pogran made a motion made to approve the
response drafted by Ms. Kieslich which was seconded by Ms. Desai as was
unanimously approved.
B. I -Net. Ms. Goodman would like to see a redundant source of bandwidth but
she wants to wait for the Town communications study before proceeding.
C. Cable Boxes (STB). The boxes have arrived form Verizon on time. One more
is needed from Comcast (now two because of a failure).
D. Backup Server Location. Pat Goddard wants a room in the facilities building
but the Town would have to pay for the Verizon service to transfer data. The
Town Manager wants a written agreement regarding the liability of the Town so
that it would not be liable for any damages. Ms. DelSanto needs to check the
room and see about cost.
E. HD Broadcasts. Mr. Pogran reported that RCN is working on the HD
channel. Two more towns are requesting HD service to their PEG channels —
Framingham and Newton. Mr. Pogran did a Google search and found that other
municipalities around the country have gotten this into their licenses. Ms.
DelSanto stated that the Alliance of Community Media has been discussing HD.
Shrewsbury will be the first to offer it in Massachusetts as its cable system is
town owned.
F. Fourth PEG Channel Letter. LexMedia may not want a fourth PEG channel
now. Ms. DelSanto will review Mr. Becker's letter and attachment. Mr. Pogran
suggested making the fourth channel the HD channel. Ed Dukes of the Hancock
Church reportedly wants their connection to be HD. The RCN representative has
responded positively but needs support from higher management.
6. Use of CAC Funds for Technical Initiatives. Mr. Becker gave a history of the
Town's control over the CAC funds. Only the selectmen and the Town Manager can
withdraw funds. Apparently the CAC no longer has input in these decisions. Mr. Becker
suggested that the CAC become more proactive in recommending funding to the
Selectmen. Ms. Roemer commented that we have not had an effective relationship with
the CAC's current BOS liaison. Mr. Pogran suggested that the CAC bring this up with
the new BOS liaison. A discussion was held regarding the size of the fund and of
spending.
7. Contacts with Other CACs (Bedford, Framingham). Mr. Becker received calls
from Framingham and Bedford asking about ascertainment. There were just general
questions. Framingham is about a year behind Lexington in negotiations. They have an
issue with old coax cable — two of the carriers get a bad signal.
8. Library Meeting Room Audio and General Upgrade. Audio quality has improved.
The rest of the room is still undergoing study. It is estimated it will cost $26,000.00 for
permanent cameras.
9. Cary Memorial Building Issues (WiFi). Nothing new to report.
10. Committee Opening Posting Results. There have been four responses for two
vacancies.
11. Email Centralization. Nothing new to report.
12. Comcast Negotiations Update. Nothing new to report. The next negotiation meeting
is March 5, 2013.
13. Wireless Report. None.
14. Complaints. None.
15. Open Discussion. Ms. Goodman informed the CAC that the Town had hired Kathy
Santos as webmaster for the Town, library, Liberty Ride and Tourism websites.
16. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 PM upon motion by Ms. Desai
and second by Mr. Lauriat.
Respectfully submitted,
David J. Buczkowski