HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-16-CAC-MIN
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MAY 18, 2006 MINUTES
Attendance:
Members: Jeanne Canale, Maria Kieslich, Jim Baker, Dave Becker, Jim
Gonzalez, John Rommelfanger and Dave Buczkowski;
Guests: Tom Steele (RCN), Jane Lyman (Comcast), Michael Morrissey
1. Minutes – April 27, 2006
Approved as amended.
2. COMCAST Report
SCOLA is up and running.
a. Third Party Payment Center:
Ms Lyman suggested that we continue to return to this subject every other
meeting as Comcast has not been successful in finding a business willing
to accept payments for Comcast. An ATM-like machine was mentioned as
an alternative by a committee member.
b. List of Active Ports:
Ms. Lyman met with Connie Rawson a year ago. The residential service is
in a wire closet but can be switched to an I-Net return drop. Some outlets
were connected. I-Net wire is shared in RCN’s conduit into the library.
c. Wiring Project:
Town Hall is lit up and active. Residential and I-Net are outside the
Selectmen’s Room. A schematic was presented by Ms. Lyman. The job is
complete.
d. Quarterly Checks:
Checks for $42,238.43 (4.65%) and $3,179.24 (.35%) were delivered on
May 17, 2006 to the Selectmen.
e. A discussion of I-Net drops and how Comcast doesn’t continually monitor the
drops that aren’t being used was held. When notified that a site will be used for I-
Net purposes, Comcast will go out and confirm the quality of the line. Ideally two
weeks notice would be needed.
3. RCN Report
The following matters were noted by Mr. Steele:
- Fiber has been brought into Town Hall;
- RCN can’t rate who watches public access;
- RCN can do a bill insert with a survey for LexMedia;
- The License Amendment will be signed and sent to the Selectmen for
signature. When RCN receives a signed copy it will forward the
$50,000.00 payment and stop billing for Internet access;
- Religious tapes are still an issue. Mr. Becker talking with George Preston
about this;
- Mr. Steele stated that he had been in Washington, D.C. speaking against
Verizon’s proposed legislation. Verizon is proposing only a 6% payment -
5% for the franchise fee and 1% for public access. The $.50 per subscriber
would be eliminated.
4. Chairman’s Report
Ms. Canale presented a letter from Comcast, spoke of RCN personnel and their
public relations firm volunteering to assist the Conservation Commission on clean
up.
5. Verizon Negotiation Update
Mr. Becker reported that there were two main outstanding issues. The first was
Verizon’s insistence on a three year exit loophole and the second involves the
time frame for coverage of the entire town.
6. LexMedia Report
Ms. Kieslich reported that a presentation had been made to the Selectmen. An
audit had been done by an accounting firm. Jim Akimchuk III resigned and a
technician/consultant has been hired. They are looking to replace Mr. Akimchuk.
Programming policies regarding replay of old tapes (specifically the Sal Vella
Show) are being addressed. Mr. Morrissey spoke on this subject. The site search
for a new studio continues. There is a LexMedia meeting at the library on June 1
at 7:30 that the Committee was invited to. The website is www.lctv.tv.
7. Financial Report
Ms. Canale passed out the most recent financial Report. She will speak with
Jeanne Krieger about meeting again with the controller.
8. April Complaints
Mr. Becker reported on a complaint from David Kantor regarding Verizon email
bouncing back from RCN accounts.
9. Wireless Applications
Adam F. Braillard, Esquire of Prince, Lobel, Glovsky & Tye and Byron Perez
gave a presentation on behalf of Omnipoint Communications (T-Mobile) regarding
multiple applications for towers in order to alleviate signal problems in various areas of
Town. The new sites include The Knights of Columbus, Parker Manor, Pilgrim
Congregational Church, Muzzy School Condominiums, Marrett Square and the
Estabrook School area.
At this point your scribe had to leave the meeting leaving three matters to be reported on
– Town/Library Liaison Report; Old Business (Membership/Volunteer inquiries; and
New Business (RCN Contract renewal).
Next meeting is June 15, 2006