HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-19-CAC-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2020
CONDUCTED BY REMOTE PARTICIPATION
Call to order. CAC Chair Ken Pogran called the meeting to order at 6:56 PM using
Zoom. Mr. Pogran then read the Governor's Order.
Present: CAC Members: Ken Pogran, Chair, Smita Desai, Bob Avallone, Dorinda
Goodman, Nick Lauriat P.K. Shiu, Rita Vachani and David Buczkowski. Others:
Florence DelSanto (LexMedia), Tom Steel (RCN) and Niall Connors (Verizon)
Members Absent: David Becker and Ramin Taraz
Quorum: A quorum of members was present.
Materials Reviewed: Draft Minutes of the October 15, 2020 meeting; Press release
regarding the sale of RCN; LexMedia quarterly report; Draft CAC response to the
LexMedia quarterly report; and PEG Accounts analysis
1. Service Provider Reports:
a. Mr. Steel reported that RCN was in the process of being purchased by
Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners. The sale is expected to close in the second
quarter of 2021. Customers are not expected to see any changes. A Form 394
will be filed and a hearing will have to be scheduled on the transfer.
b. Mr. Connors reported that FIOS continues to be excellent. He stated that he
knew nothing about the coming 5G service or its replacing cable service. Mr.
Pogran thanked Mr. Connors resolving a customer problem. Verizon replaced
a major piece of equipment.
2. LexMedia Update:
LexMedia held its Virtual annual meeting on November 18 —the new slate of
officers is the same as the current board
Reggie Gibson, Lexington Poet Lauriat and Kimeon Rem who produced the
Lunar New Year's Celebration became new board members
The board is pleased with how the new contract is going.
New equipment—4K camera monitors, pan/tilt/zoom camera above the kitchen
Liveview- allows streaming over cell back to studio
New staff member John E O'Neil as Ryan Voto left
Audit—LexMedia is in good financial shape -town late in paying
3. LexMedia Q1 Report and CAC Response:
Training is up by Zoom
Major need financials, operations, goods, capital - $35k
Carry over for 2018-2019 carry over capital
Add budget column in the future
Delete 4 5 in response
Mr. Buczkowski made the motion to accept the report as amended, Ms. Vachani
seconded the motion. Unanimously passed with the exception of Ms. Goodman
who couldn't vote due to a bad mic
4. Verizon FiOS License Renewal:
Mr. Lauriat reported about the October hearing held during the CAC meeting. It is
expected that the CAC will go to the Select Board in Mid-December. A progress
report will be submitted on December 14. Mr. Connors anticipates a 6 to 9 month
negotiation process. He will discuss with Verizon's law firm—Kirby, Harrington,
Pinkert.
5. PEG Accounts Status:
Ms. Vachani reviewed past meetings since 2013 to FY 2026. By FY22 expenses
will exceed income (revenue). So the cable income can cover LexMedia for the
next 6 years.
Revenue is trending down. Total subscribers trended down 6% in 2017-2018; 6%
in 2018-2019.
There was a 10% reduction in first quarter income from Verizon which is more
than anticipated.
Mr. Connors suggested that cord cutters are the main reason the numbers down. It
could be Covid-19 and the down economy.
Mr. Steel stated that RCN survives with internet customers. There is a glimmer of
hope - Hulu and Netflix prices are going up
6. Reports:
a. Chairman's report: Mr. Pogran received emails from town regarding conflict
of interest training. Mr. Pogran had no progress report on a new committee
member.
b. Town IT Update: Ms. Goodman had audio problems so was unable to report.
c. Wireless Applications: Mr. Lauriat reported that there were no new
applications or updates on previously filed applications.
7. Review of October 15, 2020 meeting minutes:
A few minor edits were made. Mr. Buczkowski made a motion to accept the
minutes as amended, Ms. Desai seconded and the motion was passed with the
exception of Ms. Goodman who continued to have audio problems.
8. Adjournment
Upon the motion of Mr. Buczkowski, Ms. Desai's second, the meeting was
adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
David J. Buczkowski