HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-21-CAC-min RECEIVED
2023 '19Jain, &53 am
TOWN OF LEXINGTON TOWN CL,ERK
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
LEXINGTON
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF APRIL 21, 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 6:34 PM and called the roll. The meeting was conducted remotely via Zoom.
Members Present (via Zoom): Ken Pogran, Chair; Bob Avallone, Dave Becker, Smita
Desai; Dorinda Goodman, Nick Lauriat, P.K. Shiu, Ramin Taraz, Rita Vachani
Members Absent: Dave Buczkowski, Steve Kaufman
Quorum: A quorum of members was present.
Others Present: Joe Pato, Select Board Member Liaison; Kerry Morris, Comcast;
Florence DelSanto, LexMedia; Jim Shaw, LexMedia
Materials Referenced: Draft minutes of the March 17, 2022 meeting; PEG Revenue,
Expense Projections.ppt; 2022.04.11 Comcast - Comcast Government Affairs - Contact
Change.pdf; In Person - Remote Meetings Memo.pdf
2. Review and VOTE to approve minutes of the CAC March 17, 2022 meeting
The minutes of the March 17, 2022 meeting, recorded by Bob Avallone, 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. Pogran introduced the new Comcast representative Ms. Kerry Morris.
Ms. Morris presented a quick overview of her background and expressed her
enthusiasm for working with town of Lexington.
S. LexMedia contract renewal update— Rita Vachani
Ms. Vachani presented "PEG Revenue, Expense Projections.ppt" showing the
percentage of change in PEG revenue and subscriber count. The data shows there will
be a deficit of funding for LexMedia starting in 2023. This deficit will initially be filled
from the PEG funds in the town's PEG account. However, the town will need to decide
how they want the deficit once the existing funds are depleted.
Mr. Avallone asked if either sponsorship or advertising is an acceptable or viable path
for gaining future funds for LexMedia.
In summary, sponsorship is allowed, advertisement is not.
LexMedia has had offers of sponsorship but the level of funding is nowhere near what is
needed. Based on comments from Mr. Shaw, a target of$10-$15K of funds from
sponsorships in for the first year might be achievable.
6. Chairman's report– Ken Pogran
Mr. Pogran discussed if remote participation will continue when the Open Meeting
Law's in-person exemption expires.
Mr. Pato mentioned that it's not clear if the exemption will be extended at the moment.
Mr. Pogran added that at a minimum, the following changes to the Open Meeting Law
are needed, since the remote meeting technology has come a long way since the law
was written:
- Allowing the meeting to proceed if the chairman is remote
- Allowing the meeting to proceed if a quorum is reached via members being present
either in person or remotely.
7. Comcast license renewal timeline and process– Ken Pogran
Comcast renewal process is within the required 3-year period and the town has received
a letter from Comcast to start the formal FCC process.
The Town has six months to respond.
Mr. Shiu has volunteered to lead the Comcast contract negotiation.
8. Discussion—Trends in cable television licenses, subscriber "cord-cutting", streaming
services, and PEG funding
Discussion pursued about future of funding for LexMedia, including topics such as:
- Who are the viewers of LexMedia programming? We might have to consider that
the viewers are different from people who are paying through PEG funds.
- Is it possible to run a survey about what town residents think about LexMedia
services?
- Is it possible to get a count from cable operators about number of viewers?
- Is it possible to move the product of LexMedia from cable channels to fully online?
These interesting discussions might help us in finding a future source of funds to
LexMedia.
9. Town IT Update
Ms. Goodman provided an update on town IT. The state Grant application is out for a
redundant network. If granted, the state funds will pay toward the network the Town is
putting in.
10. Wireless applications— Nick Lauriat
Mr. Lauriat reported no new applications.
11. Complaints
Ken Pogran (March), Dave Becker (April)
None were reported since March 17, 2022.
Upcoming: Rita Vachani (May), Ramin Taraz (June)
12. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ramin Taraz,
Recording Secretary for April 21, 2022