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Home My WebLink About2003-01-16-CAC-min.pdf Communications Advisory Committee Meeting 5:45 PM Selectmen's Meeting Room January 16, 2003 Attendance: Miriam Boucher,Dave Becker, David J Buczkowski, Howard Cravis, Jane Gharibian, Bill Kofoed, Diane Pursley, Connie Rawson Loren Wood-Visitor November 24th Meeting minutes were accepted on a motion made by Bill Kofoed, seconded Dave Becker AT&T Monthly Report delivered by Peggy Sullivan. • Peggy noted a recent article by Peter J Howe in the Boston Globe concerning ATT email name change. Mail addresses will be transitioned from attbi.com to comcast.net within a 60-day period. • Formal name change from ATT Broadband to Comcast is expected in 1st quarter, we will be kept informed. • Jane thanked ATT, via Peggy, for the coverage of the two Special Town Meetings. • PS reports two complaints that were resolved. • High school drop has been moved and wiring in the studio has been fixed. The dish that delivers SCOLA is frozen. • There was a discussion of the possibility for ATT and RCN to collaborate on origination in Clarke Middle School Auditorium. Peggy will ask for a survey of the site. • Peggy noted that January 16th might be her last meeting since she may be transitioning from Lexington to another district. Her colleague Jane Lyman may be her replacement. • Question from Dave Becker regarding the number of programs owned by the new corporation. Peggy stated 5 • Discussion of how towns are consolidated for rate hearings for the state. Peggy suggested that DTE could provide information regarding methods used for analysis. • Peggy also noted that ATT filed a petition at the Federal Level for effective competition and did receive the order. This means that FCC determines effective competition and ATT no longer files with DTE. RCN Monthly Report delivered by Katie Kirkpatrick. • SCOLA is now up and running on RCN • A one-way node was installed at the High School. Danny Hartsell will continue to work with Wendy to broadcast live. • Laurie Lefave (General Manager's Office)will monitor tape cycling. • Police Bulletin Board-no word on this. There is a new Public Relations Officer. Jane will look into this. • Dave Becker thanked RCN, through Katie, for getting Media Access Workshop information up and running. Loren Wood, visitor and RCN subscriber requested an explanation of the taping of the Town's meetings specifically,why they weren't aired immediately Jane explained that tapes are copied and mailed overnight to RCN. Jane explained that a technical glitch resulted in a tape that was not sent. Media Access Corporation • Workshops-Connie will put information on Town Website. • Notice will be put on CATV and in newspaper. • Rika Welsh and Harry Forsdick have set up a Web database and have sent out 540 invitations to the Workshops. Brochures will be available in the Town Clerk's Office and two public libraries. Monies provided by the Cable Companies to the Town. • There was discussion about where this money goes and who has access to it. Currently, the money received goes into the general fund. • Dave Becker asked Peter Epstein to look into the situation and his understanding of Epstein's opinion is that the Town cannot use the money for general purposes. • John Ryan asked Lexington s Town Counsel for an opinion regarding this issue. The response was that that the cable company's per subscriber money was considered a fee and that it goes into the general fund. • John Ryan has commented that once the books are sealed and certified by the state the funds cannot be accessed retrospectively CAC is interested in funds that are still available and will consider legalities of getting the money reassigned for a Media Access Corporation. • Bill Kennedy and Andy Friedlich are also looking further into this situation. • There is a separate account that consists of annual $20,000 payments fro AT&T This special fund is for cable related activities such as studio equipment, SCOLA and payment for recent consulting services. This account is separate from the above-mentioned payments to the general fund. P New Camera for High School. ■ Steve Ellis and Jane went to visit Wendy Wilson to discuss a new camera. She will not be asking for a new camera right now since two totally matched cameras are needed and she is considering making a switch to two matching digital cameras. Old Business Motion made by Miriam Boucher, seconded by Diane Pursley There will be no telephone survey as part of the Media Access Feasibility Study Meeting adjourned at 7 10 PM Next meeting February 27th at 5 45 AM Selectmen s Meeting Room Respectfully submitted, Connie Rawson Acting Secretary