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Home My WebLink About2003-05-15-CAC-min.pdf Meeting Minutes Meeting: Communications Advisory Committee Author Diane Pursley Date: May 15,2003 Location: Selectman's Room,Town Offices Attendees: Miriam Boucher,Dave Becker,Jane Gharibian,Michael Morrisey,Ed Vail,Howard Cravis,Diane Pursby,Steve Ellis,Bill Kofoed,Mike Greene,Tim Counihan Katie Kirkpatrick(RCN),Jane Lyman(Comcast) Next Meeting Date: TBD Location: Selectman's Room,Town Offices Key I=Informational; O=Open Item Items Status/Assignment 1. Approval of April 15 Minutes: Minutes were approved I 2. Comcast Report • Transmission quality Not aware of any current problems with transmissions of Scola or Selectman's meetings I • Cable drop at high school studio:Completed I • EAS Testing:Dave Becker sent email to Fire Chief one month ago and has not followed up. 0-Dave • Clarke Middle School connections:The sections of the school recently renovated have outlets,but are not hooked up.Jane L to follow up.Steve 0-Jane Lyman Ellis offered to help with any questions the Comcast techs might have. • Access Question(from Howard Cravis):Jane reported that every house in Lexington has access via local street. I • Removing old cable/double poles:Comcast has not removed the old wiring from the old poles.Jane G will follow up with Jane L with the 0-Jane G&Jane L contact name in Lexington who can give her the specifics. • Comcast Phone Service:Jane L does not know whether Comcast will offer phone service in the future.Jane L will follow up. 0-Jane L • Library Comcast is not involved in the construction project and they are required to work on the inet.Jane L will follow up with Katie on new 0-Jane L PM's name. Page 1 of 3 3.RCN Report • Clarke Middle School connections:RCN entry point is covered with sheetrock but has basics for hookup.Getting the hookups working will O—Katie require additional work,getting Nstar involved and equipment cost.Katie was informed that Town Meeting and other public meetings will likely be held at Clarke in the future.The auditorium is brand new and will be used more by the town.Katie will report back. 0-Katie • Resident complaint(Norman Cohen):Katie is in touch with the management association. • Library There is a new Project Manager for the Library construction.Engineering released CAD files to RCN.Project will deal with internal wiring 0-Katie 4.Comcast Contract Negotiation • Mike G will send Diane project plan with milestone dates from the RCN contract negotiations.This plan will help to build the milestone dates 0-Mike required for Comcast. • Jane G will send Diane the wish list from the RCN contract negotiations. 0-Jane G • Diane will research other recent contracts signed with local communities and Comcast.She will check the state websites and check in with Rika O-Diane and Peter Epstein. • Group agreed although the Access Corporation will likely be an open issue until October or November 2003,we should begin work on the contract negotiations now 5.Access Corporation • Board of Selectman's Meeting:Dave Becker and Jane G will present an executive summary and full data report from the Needs Assessment to I the Board of Selectman on June 9,2003.All CAC members are encouraged to attend in support.In the presentation,Dave and Jane G will report that the CAC is working on a plan of action(business plan).The group thought it was important to also give the Selectman some information about how the Lexington data and process compares with other communities like Burlington,Arlington and Waltham. • RCN Funds:CAC will also make a motion at the Fall Town Meeting to put RCN funds in a revolving account(versus general account)so it I carries from year to year.This article will be in the wanant,sponsored by Jeanne Krieger. • Access Corporation:The current plan is for Jeanne Krieger and CAC to sponsor an article for the Access Corporation at Fall Town Meeting. The motion will be for Town Meeting to vote in support of creating the non profit access corporation.Between now and then it will be critical for CAC and Access Corp Sub Committee to build support for the concept with Selectman,Appropriations,TMMA,League of Women Voters and other community groups. 6.Motion offered by Dave Becker CAC requests the Board of Selectman to support the development of a community media center for the I town use. Ed Vail seconded.Unanimous vote in favor of approving the motion. 7.Business Plan for Access Corporation • Sample outline was distributed to the group. • Tim,Ed and Miriam volunteered to begin writing sections. 0-Tim,Miriam,Ed • Jane G requested that she is kept in the loop on the progress of the document. 8.Antenna applications:Nothing new. I Page 2 of 3 9.Connie Rawson's Update • Investigating getting Hartwell Avenue recycling office online.They are looking to connect for data access. I • Raised the issue of building a contingency plan if there is a problem with RCN service.The group agreed we need to do more research to I understand the risk,who could provide a quick back-up. 10.Outstanding Funding/Accounting Questions • Steve asked for a decision on the funding for camera equipment for the high school.The cost is$34,000 for two new studio cameras,zoom I lenses,control panels and related equipment. • Steve will track down whether the cameras could be funded from the RCN account. 0-Steve • Jane G will follow up with Town accounting on the current balance of our accounts,including a report on how much we paid Rika so far. 0-Jane G • The group asked Jane G to put this agenda item at the top next time so we will be able to have a timely discussion and decision at next meeting. 0-Jane G • Steve requested CAC to send any remaining questions to Steve prior to the meeting so we are fully prepared to vote on the expenditure at the 0-ALL next meeting. Page 3 of 3