HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-20-CAC-min RECEIVED
2023 19 Jam.w, 8:51 aiM
TOWN CLERI(
TOWN OF LEXINGTON LEXINGTON
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 20, 2022
CONDUCTED BY REMOTE PARTICIPATION
1. Call to order and roll call.
Communications Advisory Committee (CAC) Chair Kenneth Pogran called the meeting to order
at 6:30 PM and called the roll. The meeting was conducted remotely via Zoom.
Members Present(via Zoom): Ken Pogran, Chair; Bob Avallone; Dave Becker; Dave
Buczkowski; Smita Desai; Steve Kaufman; P.K. Shiu; Ramin Taraz, Rita Vachani; Nick Lauriat
Members Absent: Dorinda Goodman
Quorum: A quorum of members was present.
Others Present: Joe Pato, Selectman; David von Moritz, RCN; Florence DelSanto, LexMedia;
and Jim Shaw, LexMedia.
Materials Referenced: Draft minutes of the December 16, 2021 meeting; LexMedia Grant
Renewal Options; Draft Verizon renewal License
2. Review and VOTE to approve minutes of the CAC December 16, 2021 meeting
The minutes of the December 16, 2021 meeting, recorded by Nick Lauriat, were reviewed and
approved unanimously by roll call vote as amended.
3. Select Board liaison report—Joe Pato
Mr. Pato had nothing to report.
4. Service provider reports -David von Moritz (RCN)
This was our first meeting since Tom Steel's retirement. Mr. von Moritz confirmed that there
would be no change in RCN's legal name. "Astound" is merely the trade name RCN will be
using. Mr. Pogran asked that Mr. von Moritz provide his contact phone numbers for the CAC
and any other contact information that he uses.
5. Chairman's Report: Ken Pogran
Mr. Pogran reported on the Open Meeting Law (OML)training he attended. He noted to Mr.
Pato that the CAC does not have any way to post online its materials regarding the meeting
agendas. Mr. Pato agreed to look into how the CAC can post the materials on the Town's
website. Town officials have the use of"Novis" but they have staff support.
Mr. Pogran also noted the OML ban on serial deliberation using email, and the lack of an OML
exemption that would enable the committee to use executive session to discuss contract issues,
such as a cable operator license.
6. Verizon FiOS cable television renewal license: Ken Pogran, Dave Becker, Dave
Buczkowski, Nick Lauriat
Mr. Pogran reported that the CAC is awaiting a response from Paul Trane. There are minor
language issues remaining. A discussion was had regarding voting on an incomplete license.
A Motion to recommend to the Select Board that the Board approve and sign the Verizon
license provided Verizon accepts the final language with allowance for minor edits as agreed to
by the CAC Chair. Motion made by Mr. Buczkowski, seconded by Mr. Becker. The motion
passed unanimously. The CAC did not recommend that the Select Board consider issuing a
Preliminary Assessment of Denial.
7. LexMedia update: Florence DelSanto
Ms. DelSanto reported that 3 out of 5 LexMedia personnel had COVID-19 and that the office is
closed to the public until February 14, 2022. She stated that it had been a bad month. All
meetings were by Zoom and no LexMedia staff or volunteers were going out into the
community, although LexMedia managed to cover some things. LexMedia will continue to be
crippled for a while. Some local programs will be starting soon—"Lexington Learns",
"Lexington Locals", and"Lexington Doing Good", which will be about local non-profits.
Promotions for the Lexington 250 Committee will be rolled out in April. There will also be
Community Center videos, Coffee with the Candidates, and shows on the referendum questions.
The Jay Kaufman program has been pushed back to March. Ms. DelSanto noted that there had
been requests for coverage of local concerts.
8. LexMedia contract renewal and budgeting—Rita Vachani, Bob Avallone, Smita Desai
The next portion of the contract runs from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024. Ms. Vachani gave a
PowerPoint presentation on the trend in income from the three cable providers and how the
predicted declining revenue will affect budgeting and the level of services provided by
LexMedia. It is expected that the Town will have to start providing funding by the end of the
next contract with income trending down and expenses up. The Town funding aspect may
eventually reach $300K if current service levels are to be maintained. Jim Shaw stated that
LexMedia could not operate with a 30% funding cut. LexMedia understands that it has an
obligation to increase its fundraising.
9. Wireless facility permitting procedures and application review: Nick Lauriat
Mr. Lauriat has not received any further communications from Sheila Page, the Town Planning
Director. He is not sure what we are supposed to do now as there are no longer any RF studies
contained in the applications. So, if RF information is no longer required then there does not
appear to be a need for CAC involvement in the application process.
10. Town IT update: Dorinda Goodman
As Ms. Goodman was not present, no update was provided.
I 1. Complaints: Dave Buczkowski (January)
There were no complaints in December and none in January to-date. Upcoming: Bob Avallone
(February). Ken Pogran (March)
12. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
David J. Buczkowski,
Recording Secretary