HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-17-CAC-MIN
Here are brief notes from last night's (Nov. 17,2005 )Communications Advisory Meeting:
There was no quorum as only Jeanne Krieger, Jeanne Canale, Dave Buczkowski and I (Jim
Baker) attended -- along with Comcast's Jane Lyman.
1. Comcast report -- Jane said the Wales Copy Shop might agree to become a third-party
payment center, but further discussion is necessary. She submitted a list of Lexington businesses
approached through October, but indicated none was interested in becoming a payment site. The
Wales shop was so listed, but is a possibility. She said a payment site would get $1 per
transaction. Jeanne Krieger noted that East Lexington businesses were not among those
approached. Jane insisted that Comcast is serious about avoiding non-compliance. Jane also
said Comcast's late payment for the franchise fee that had been due March 15 was submitted to
Lynne Pease Aug. 10 in the amount of $248.30.
2. Jeanne Canale reported that both Comcast and RCN now have paid their annual franchise
fees. She said she'll notify Lynne Pease that Baker should be added to the email list regarding
the cable payments from Comcast and RCN. The emails will contain payment info, amounts and
dates when payments are due. She reported the PEG account, not including November, reached
$299,165.85. And with the next CAC meeting Dec. 15, she said LexMedia goes before the
selectmen that month regarding financial commitments, enhancements, etc.
3. Baker reported that RCN's contract requires ANNUAL RCN payments due no later than March
15 and, on the subject of any late payments, Bank of America confirmed that the current prime
rate is 7 percent. The contract stipulates that "interest due on such fee shall accrue from the date
at the rate of 3 percent above the prime rate." Baker also mentioned a complaint from a resident
and Comcast subscriber that she does not have access to the Hallmark channel, unlike a friend in
neighboring Waltham. Comcast confirmed Waltham gets that channel on its standard cable
package, but Lexington does not because it was not "negotiated." Which raises questions about
who is "negotiating" TV-cable programming in Lexington and why a "standard package" would
differ in Waltham and Lexington. Baker, and perhaps others, can inquire from Lyman at the
December meeting. The Comcast official who made the "negotiation" claim is Leonie Allston.
4. Dave Buczkowski reported a communication from Jim Barry about a cable reception problem
regarding RCN Ch. 9 and New Hampshire PBS Ch. 11, but it seems to have lessened iin the past
week.
5. With so few attending, much of the committee's planned agenda was scrapped.