HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-16-CAC-MIN
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Minutes, Communications Advisory Committee Meeting
February 16, 2006
6:30 PM Esterbrook Hall
Meeting Opened at 6:38 PM with a quorum. Members present (Akimchuk, Baker,
Buczkowski, Canale, Kieslich, Rommelfanger, Vail.
Guests: LexMedia - Alan Lazarus/George Preston, Comcast - Jane Lyman
1. January 19, 2006 Minutes – Not all members had an opportunity to review – approval vote
moved to the March meeting.
2. Comcast Report – Jane Lyman
rd
a. 3 party payment redemption center/update:
i. There is a disconnect on whether Wales Copy Center wants to
participate. Jane to contact the owner to clarify.
ii. Jane stated that Nature’s Way cleaners was not interested at the
moment but they had requested a follow up check in a couple of
months.
b. INET Proposal: Dave Bodenko (sp?), Town MIS, is the Point of Contact.
George, CAC and Selectmen are interested in updated capabilities
(audio/video for Cary/Selectman’s Meeting Room) multiple wiring drops.
CAC request: obtain a copy of the updated RFP from Jim McLaughlin’s (sp?)
office.
c. INET Meetings.
Jane & George had a preliminary discussion before the CAC meeting began
and will meet again to continue their discussion. Jane gave copies of the
current INET path/locations currently in use to George and Jeanne Canale
d. Strand Map: Jane will check with the DPW, Jeanne Canale will email a
request to Jane to copy Dave Becker
e. Jane stated that she had sent the $53K/$3K payments on Feb 1st.
3. RCN Report
Neither Tom Steele nor Linda Duggin his alternate, attended. RCN hasn’t been
represented at the CAC since October; Jeanne Canale will follow up with Tom.
4. Chairman’s Report
a. Miriam Boucher’s Letter of Resignation was received and accepted; Steve
Ellis’s letter is in process.
b. Jeanne Canale attended a Selectman sponsored training workshop on
Effective Meetings which she thought was well-worthwhile.
c. Jeanne also forwarded materials received from Comcast to the Committee.
5. RCN Amendment Update-Dave Buczkowski.
Dave Buczkowski outlined the alternatives for RCN’s contract relief request. After
Committee discussion, the following motion was made, seconded and unanimously voted on:
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“Motion to accept RCNs offer of $50,000 cash, approximately $50-54K forgiveness of PEG
access payments and a reduction of the monthly INET fee from $1K to at least $500 and
recommend this to the Selectman in return for a license amendment reducing the performance
bond amount to $75K and relieving RCN of completing the build out where the town requires
underground wiring.”
6. LexMedia Report-Maria Kieslich/George Preston
a. Media Board Update – Maria Kieslich: The Board is focusing on policies with
Finance, Non-Discrimination, Personnel and Program Policies completed. A retreat is
planned to develop Goals and Budget Plans.
b. Studio - George Preston: Staff is working effectively, job descriptions are in process
of development. Has been conducting town stakeholder meetings, developing the
Corporate Books (praise for Jim Akimchuk’s work in developing the initial set) and
retaining an accounting firm.
7. Financial Report
a. Maria Kieslich reviewed the fund reports; the missing 8/4/05 bill ($53,
390.60) is reflected in the Feb YTD report. There were some other entries in
the report that weren’t clear; Maria will contact the report’s creator to request
corrections.
8. Town/Library Liaison Report-Connie Rawson
No update available
a.
9. Verizon Update – Dave Becker
a. No update available
10. Wireless Applications – Ed Vail
a. Applications: T-Mobile - 177 Bedford Street (Knights of Columbus):
Checking to see if this site is operational. Nextel – 1666 Mass. Ave:
preliminary information received and Application process sent; but no formal
Application received yet. State Division of Capital Asset Management
(DCAM) – Town has been notified about two possible lease sites: MHD
District (Rtes. 2/4-225) and Rt. 128/Marrett Road.
b. Reformatted Wireless Bylaws and Instructions: Will develop a schedule for
presenting the proposed changes to Town Committees, a Public Hearing and
drafting a Town Meeting Article by Nov. 2006.
c. Town Wireless Antenna Sites Mapping: Need to restart the Provider update
process. Town has acquired ArcGIS mapping software; will try to get
information submitted/captured in that form.
d. John Rommelfanger offered to join the Wireless Sub-Committee. Ed Vail
will meet with John to go through the Towns Wireless Bylaws Application
and Review process.
11. Wi-Fi – John Rommelfanger
a. John described impacts that Wi-Fi is having on other communities and
volunteered to be a focal point for continuing to gather information on this
technology.
12. Complaints for January-Jim Akimchuk
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Previous month’s complaint resolution was delayed by a garbled address; once Comcast had
the correct location, Jane promptly arranged for a engineering check and the damaged pole
was replaced in a couple of days.
13. Old Business
a. LISTSERV Communications comments/issues: Jeanne Canale requested
discussion on CAC responsibility to monitor/respond to communications
issues raised on town-related LISTSERVs. Consensus was that since these
were not official town channels, it would be best if CAC members interested
in monitoring them and acting as town citizens would monitor/direct posters
w/CAC type issues to the appropriate Town resources.
Next Meeting is March 16, 2006
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM