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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-18-CAC-min.pdf Communications Advisory Committee Minutes of January 18, 2001 meeting. Committee members present were Jane Gharibian(Chair), Miriam Boucher,David Buszkowski, David Kanter, Connie Rawson, Jennifer Taub, Ed Vail. Robert Warshawer, and David Becker. Steve Grossman represented RCN. The agenda was accepted as published. The minutes of the last meeting were accepted after corrections were made (see list of corrections at the end of this report). RCN Status Steve Grossman reported as follows: The new trial version of RCN's WINK interactive service is operating well. A cable translation box is required to access this service,which is a preview of their full digital service which should be available within the next year. Steve's handout included RCN's current brochure, a copy of their letter to the Selectmen(about the WINK service), and their monthly update. The handout is attached to this report(file copy only). RCN had a problem taping Selectmen's meetings over a three-week period. The problem was traced to a non-functioning tape deck,which has been fixed. RCN agreed to broadcast the missed meetings, and to put a message on their access channels indicating the time(s) and channel(s) on which meetings would be broadcast. RCN's designated Public Access channels are 3, 15, and 16. Steve acknowledges that Ted Mairson's problems in getting a high-speed internet connection were inadequately addressed. [David Kanter reported that RCN had insisted that the problem was in Ted's computer. David went to Ted s house with his computer and also could not connect. He concluded that the problem was in RCN's cabling, and suggested that the company send out a technician with his own computer to test the cabling,but RCN resisted. Eventually RCN sent someone who confirmed David's conclusion.] Steve promised to make RCN's service department more responsive to such customer complaints. He also offered to revisit Bob Holbrook's situation, mentioned at last month's meeting. Mr. Holbrook lives on East Street, close to the Woburn line and not close to a connection point for RCN service. There had been some talk of his getting service from a Woburn cable provider. Steve will see if there is some way to provide RCN service to this residence. Steve will try to get a more accurate cost estimate for getting I-Net service (from both RCN and AT&T) to the Museum of our National Heritage in support of meetings displaced from Cary Hall. He feels that the number which has been talked about ($3000—$5000) is not credible. At this point it appears unlikely that connections will be made in time to support live coverage of the March Town Meeting. As a backup, the companies will tape the meetings for later broadcast. AT&T Acquisition of Massachusetts Cablevision Franchises Cablevision subscribers have received a letter stating that the acquisition is complete (approximately January 5, 2001). Jennifer Taub has been in touch with Nick Lucci of AT&T, who said that Peggy Sullivan will be their Government Relations person covering Lexington. She will be in touch with us soon about getting started on the renewal license negotiation. Chinese Language Broadcasts Connie Rawson spoke to Stella Liu, who told her about a Chinese-content channel (CCTV4)now carried on Optimum TV Steve Grossman will check on its availability Wireless Status David Kanter reported on the following: NEXTEL's Cranberry Hill application, modified to ensure that the new antenna is used for gap- filling and not to increase capacity, has been submitted in satisfactory form. A hearing is scheduled for February 15 The Town has not yet received an application package from NEXTEL for another antenna planned for installation on the Mass Highway tower on Route 2. Metricom has assigned responsibility for its wireless application package to General Dynamics, its installation contractor. A meeting with Town officials and CAC members to discuss installation of the wired access points is scheduled for January 24 The company has filed an application for a grant of location to install the system's radio elements on town-owned street lamps. (Peter Johnson-Staub, formerly a Lexington Town employee but now working for Andover, says that the Town may indeed have the right to hold a public meeting on Metricom's plans to install communications facilities on a public way). David announced once again that any Committee member who wants to see the application review packages should let him know, and he will provide them by email. Universal Service Dave Becker reported on the FCC-managed Universal Service program intended to ensure that telephone and Internet services are available to low-income districts of the US. The details are explained in the attached email (file copy only) sent to members of the CAC. Although the program allows for subsidies to schools and libraries of affluent towns such as Lexington Connie Rawson said that the total money is limited and funds are allocated in priority order of need. Therefore, although the Town applies for and generally meets the requirements of this program, there is usually no money available. This would not necessarily be true for a non-public school in Lexington,but the school would have to meet the strict requirements of the program (see attachment) in order to qualify This topic led to a discussion of the desirability of the Town s providing cable, Internet and I- Net services to non-public schools and other non-profit organizations in Lexington. David Kanter moved, and the Committee voted in favor of, the following: The CAC, in its role as advisor to the Board of Selectmen, recommends that the Town continue the policy of not providing cable television, Internet and I-Net services to non-public organizations. The next meeting is scheduled for February 15 at 5 45 P.M. The meeting was adjourned at 7.00 P.M. Minutes submitted by David Becker, acting secretary ************ Corrections to minutes of December 21, 2000 meeting Item 6. Replace `Travers"with"Kanter." Item 9 Add Messrs. Ellis and Marques to the list of those present on the Cablevision facility tour. Item 10 " reporting in a request. should be " reporting on a request. "