HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-17-CAC-min RECEIVED
2123 '19 Jan, &53 airn
TOWN OF LEXINGTON TCLERK
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE LEXINGTON
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 17, 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 6:36 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; Dorinda Goodman; Steve Kaufman, Nick Lauriat, Ramin
Taraz
Members Absent: P.K. Shiu, Rita Vachani
Quorum: A quorum of members was present.
Others Present: Joe Pato, Select Board Member Liaison; Niall Conners, Verizon
Materials Referenced: Draft minutes of the February 17, 2022 meeting.
2. Review and VOTE to approve minutes of the CAC February 17, 2022 meeting
The minutes of the February 17, 2022 meeting, recorded by Smita Desai, were reviewed
and approved unanimously by roll call vote.
3. Select Board liaison report—Joe Pato
Mr. Pato had no news to report.
4. Service provider reports
Mr. Conners of Verizon spoke briefly about the renewal of the Verizon contract
specifically about the new HD PEG channel. Mr. Avallone asked how it would be
determined what would play on the channel. The answer is this will be a"Best of to be
determined by LexMedia.
5. Chairman's Report—Ken Pogran
Mr. Pogran had no news to report but there was a question from Mr. Lauriat about the
return to live or hybrid meetings. Mr. Pato informed the group that the Select Board is
looking into how to conduct hybrid meetings.
6. LexMedia update
There was no report due to the absence of Ms. DelSanto.
7. LexMedia contact renewal progress and process
Mr. Pogran opened with comments to the effect that we will level fund LexMedia for the
next two years even though the revenues are dropping. Further Mr. Pogran invited
members of the committee, especially the LexMedia subcommittee consisting of Mr.
Avallone, Ms. Desai, and Ms. Vachani and also Ms, DelSanto of LexMedia to review the
contract and suggest minor changes that might be appropriate. Ms. Desai raised the
question of what level funding is. Discussion ensued.
8. Discussion— Trends in cable television licenses, subscriber "cord-cutting",
streaming services, and PEG funding
Mr. Pogran raised this as an ongoing topic, how do we deal with declining revenue from
cable services. Mr. Becker raised the possibility that the town could purchase streaming
services and resell them to town residents. Mr. Avallone questioned the practicality of
this and asked Mr. Pato to comment. Mr. Pato stated that the Select Board has not
discussed the issue. Mr. Avallone mentioned a bill before the MA Legislature that would
tax streaming services. This would be a revenue stream to the town although the bill has
not yet proceeded. More discussion ensued. Mr. Lauriat suggested that we look at what
neighboring towns are doing.
9. Town IT update—Dorinda Goodman
Ms. Goodman gave a brief update regarding towers and infrastructure, including a
redundant fiber network and a possible grant from the state that has just opened up. Ms.
Goodman reported that a problem with RCN that was difficult to solve was finally fixed.
10. Wireless applications—Nick Lauriat
Mr. Lauriat reported no new applications.
11. Complaints—Bob Avallone (February), Ken Pogran (March),
Upcoming: Dave Becker (April), Rita Vachani(May)
None were reported.
12. New Business—Dave Becker
Mr. Becker raised the issue of free cable access to public building that should be provided
by our Cable operators. Mr. Pogran said he would put this topic on the agenda for future
meetings.
13. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bob Avallone,
Recording Secretary