HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-15-CAC.min
Communications Advisory Committee
REVISION
February 15, 2007 Meeting
Recorder: Jim Baker
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m.. Present were Jeanne Canale, Jim Baker,
Dave Becker, Dave Buczkowski, and Linda Roemer -- all CAC member. Also present
were Jill Reddish of Verizon, Alan Lazarus and George Preston from LexMedia (Lazarus
leaving early).
The minutes from Jan. 18 were seconded and approved.
Comcast's Jane Lyman and RCN's Tom Steel were not present, but Lyman sent an
email about two issues on the I-Net. She said the land on which Comcast's I-Net hub is
located was sold to a Commonwealth developer, leading to having to vacate the property
and moving the I-Net to the Bowman school would be a good solution. She said Comcast
will be working with the school dept. to affect the move. (2) A related issue is connecting
the newly re-located LexMedia studio to the I-Net. The preliminary design work on the
wiring has been done. It will be required in extending the I-Net to the new Avalon
property. Preston indicated to her the current target time for moving into the space is next
fall.
Verizon's Jill Reddish noted Potter Pond is an MDU (multiple dwelling unit) and said
there'll be a meeting March 2 with a Verizon committee. She said PEG deployment was
on schedule for the Feb. 27 drop-dead commitment date, but a 10-day delay may be
needed. She assured, "We'll absolutely be done by March 9." Becker noted problems,
saying the vote is March 4 and suggested contacting Krieger for advice.
Three complaints were recorded: (1) Kathe Fukai reporting Scola is out and indeed that
channel is showing snow. A contractor may have to be hired. (2) Julian Bussgang wanted
to know when local access channels would be available on Verizon FIOS, which
channels would be used and he requested town-specific channel listings. (3) Ben Moroze,
with utilities buried between his house and street, said Verizon doesn't understand his
situation and requested someone from Verizon visit the site. He said he had a similar
problem getting service from RCN years ago.
Lazarus departed and Preston spoke of meeting with the building inspector earlier in
the day about Kline Hall. He also mentioned an outstanding work order with Comcast.
When he made other references to Kline, Becker said: "I don't know when you'll be in
Kline Hall. It could be a year from when you think."
Preston referred to Scola's recurring dish problem, saying it's a 13-to-16-year-old dish
and people in New York and Pa. have been called to fix it. But then he said only 3 people
called to complain that Scola is down. Baker asked, "Does that tell you anything?"
Preston said this is the fourth time in his tenure that someone has been called to fix Scola
-- that the high school owns it. Preston said he's not "throwing away money when you
give it to me" but Becker, continuing strong questioning, told him "I can't get a straight
answer out of you." Preston cited a Scola subscription cost of $1,700 and there's a
separate internet contract. Both pacts expire June 30 and Vail said Preston should report
back to the CAC before June 30.
Jim Baker gave his view of the consequences of LexMedia’s inability to cover high
school events and the relationships between LexMedia and various individuals at
Lexington High and CTN. The Committee discussed the history of this situation and the
fact that CTN was presenting sports events over a commercial internet channel.
After confusion over specifics on revenues and expenditures within the PEG account
budget report, the subject turned to the Adtech proposal. Becker, noting Adtech keeps
adding costs for the Selectmen's meeting room, said we should get another bid, adding "I
don't think we should volunteer any money." He added, "I don't want to be a
facilitator...Maybe we should say no more out of the PEG account without saying why."
The last bid was $51,000 well above what Becker had anticipated.
Ed Vail offered a wireless update on sites for cell antennae on town property. He said
178 Lowell St. needs neighbors' approval. There also was discussion about putting one
near the Res site and there were later updates on bylaws and town sites re wireless RFPs.
Linda Roemer wanted to talk about unbundling cable programming -- especially for
retired people because of the expense involved. Vail wondered about a senior discount
and Becker noted that Comcast offers a basic package for $15-20.
Among new business, it was noted the RCN contract renewal won't happen until 2009.
Dave Buczkowski said we're in the ascertainment period and he'll try to find a timeline.
When underground wiring was brought up, he noted the CAC let RCN out of its contract
and, with Verizon giving the town a third cable provider, that wiring is less of an issue
now.
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