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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-20-CAC-min COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THURSDAY, JUNE 20TH, 2013 The meeting was called to order at 7 35 by Chairman, Ken Pogran, in the Parker room Present: Ken Pogran, Dave Becker, Frank Cai, Nick Launat, Dormda Goodman, Geoffrey Xiao, Linda Roemer and Joe Pato (Selectman Liaison) Minutes- The minutes of the meeting of May 16th were approved as circulated. Selectman's Report - Joe Pato had nothing to report. Carrier Reports —There were none Chairman's Report— Ken reported that he would be away on September 19th the date of the next scheduled CAC meeting. He had proposed changing the meeting to September 12th Linda pointed out the difficulty of developing a response to the combined LexMedia 4th quarter and annual report which was due August 31" After discussion it was agreed to meet on September 12th Linda said she and Mana would do their best to get the response drafted before the meeting and Ken would convey to Florence the absolute necessity of getting the report in on time—even early if possible The format of CAC files was discussed and it was decided to leave it as is As there did not seem to be any pressing issues, the CAC would not meet in July or August. Four members of the Committee have terms that expire in September Mana, Ken, Frank and Dave Buczkowski Ken and Frank agreed to stay on and Ken will contact the other two There is currently one vacancy on the committee It was agreed to wait until the fall to try to fill it. Report from LexMedia No one was present from LexMedia but Florence had informed Ken of the following • LexMedia purchased and installed an HD server and was waiting for RCN to install its equipment in the next couple of weeks They will test through the summer and be ready to launch in September • LexMedia could support a fourth channel if it is programmed as a "Best of LexMedia" in the same way the RCN HD channel will be programmed. • LexMedia contacted RCN and Venzon to inquire about setting up broadband service to the server room at 201 Bedford St. RCN responded and Florence asked I Jill Reddish at Verizon and is waiting for a reply Given the RCN reply she thinks Venzon will be a less costly option. Dormda noted that the equipment discussed above was going into the network room, not the server room, and that should be made clear The Committee discussed the issue of additional 4th channels and decided to wait. Linda agreed to check on when the LexMedia contract was due for renewal as that might be an appropriate time to raise this again. CAC Position Paper on Use of funds for Technical Initiatives Dave Becker reported that this was only half done The CAC with the assistance of Joe Pato agreed that when Dave sends it to us we can respond with comments to him but not to each other Removal of Wires Dave Becker has not heard back from his contact at DTC but will follow up Contacts with Other CACs Dave thought the Bedford questionnaire might have some value but the committee agreed that this item should no longer appear on the agenda. WiFi in Cary Memonal Hall Dormda will be getting numbers for staff and non-staff access She will ask the contractors to propose what should go in as they will have had expenence in similar facilities Promotion of CAC WiFi Position As all members of the Committee were not comfortable with the draft it was put off until September Dormda objected to the sixth point regarding possible collaboration with the schools and explained the differences in approach. After discussion it was decided that the final version should not include this point. Comcast Negotiations Nick Launat reported that he and the two Daves had met with Jane Lyman on June 10th The minutes of the meeting are still in draft but the items covered included. • The designation by Comcast of an emergency person to ID downed wires Ms Lyman stated that there already is an 800 number that nngs in Chelmsford where it is covered 24/7/365 Municipalities press "3" on the choice list. Apparently Comcast has sent letters to the Town advising it of this service, and Ms Lyman said that she occasionally sends reminders of this number to the Town. She provided the number to the Subcommittee • A side letter similar to the 2009 RCN letter regarding double utility poles • The number of cable boxes needed by the schools • An HD PEG channel • A request that service be provided to the new Community Center/ Senior Center at 39 Marrett Road • $17,606 00 annual payment in lieu of providing an I-Net. • Continuation of the annual 5% PEG payments Wireless Report There was nothing to report Complaints Nick reported that in May he had one call but it was about Internet service The Chair will locate the log and get it going again and make sure that those responsible for July and August know Other Issues Dormda explained the new Verizon set up and the difficulty she was having in getting telephone service for the Town. The Chair agreed to ask our cable representative if she could provide a contact who might be able to help Dave Becker said that all cable providers are supposed to be providing service to the schools No one knew whether this was happening. Or if anyone felt it was needed. This was postponed to September The meeting adjourned at 8 10 Respectfully submitted, Linda Roemer