HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-15-CAC-min.pdf Cable Television and Communications Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
October 15, 1997
Chairman Jane Gharibian called the meeting to order at 6 00 p.m. Present
were members Julian Bussgang, David Kanter, Julie Longcope, Theodore
Mairson, and David Becker Also at the meeting were guests Peter
Atherton, representing A-R, and Paul McCarthy, representing WBZ
Ms Gharibian said there was progress in getting a replacement for Martha
Stanton as School Department representative on the Committee
She also said that the Town is making space available to store the
Committee's records The records initially will be kept in the
Selectmen's office, and eventually in Cary Hall
The Chairman permitted Mr McCarthy to make a statement about the quality
of WBZ (Channel 4) as carried on the A-R/Cablevision cable systems In
essence, WBZ management has heard complaints about the quality of their
received signal, such as "ghosting" or 'sparkling, " and wants to correct
any such deficiencies before signing an extension to their contract with
Cablevision, allowing them to carry Channel 4 The committee members
present, and Mr Atherton, said that they had heard no reports of Channel
4 signal quality problems on the Lexington system. The Committee
requested that Mr McCarthy make us aware of any such problems which WBZ
might find during its investigation of Channel 4 reception in Lexington
Messrs Kanter and Becker reported that the final draft of the Issuing
Authority's report, requesting a proposal from RCN-BecoCom for a license
to operate a second cable TV system in Lexington, is complete It
requires legal review by our cable-issues attorney, Peter Epstein, and
approval for release by the Board of Selectmen Report release is
expected early in the week of October 26 We are requesting that RCN
respond by the end of November
Mr Bussgang reported a rate filing with the FCC by A-R, claiming
substantial increase in external costs This, in turn, might be used by
A-R as a basis for a significant increase in subscriber rates for 1998
Mr Bussgang has drafted a letter to A-R, exercising our right to receive
detailed substantiation of any such increases in external costs, so that
we might appeal any rate increase if we conclude that the external cost
increases are overstated.
We have also prepared a letter to A-R, requesting their thoughts on some
facets of cable system operation in a competitive environment
Mr Kanter reported that the Drummer Boy condominium association has
received a draft Access Agreement from A-R, but that it did not appear to
be completely satisfactory
A letter is being sent to the Planning Board in support of their efforts
in developing antenna/tower bylaws and regulations for consideration at
next Spring's Town Meeting
Mr Atherton reported on several A-R issues
A-R's Ron Rego is personally handling the transport of religious programs
supplied by organizations within the Town to the Hancock Church
origination point for religious access programming
A-R recognizes that its two-cable system makes it difficult to use the
picture-in-a-picture feature found on some TV set The problems are
similar to those found in recording one program while watching another
A-R is considering a rate increase, based on increases in external costs
(see reference to Mr Bussgang's draft letters, above)
There were two subscriber complaints about insensitivity of individuals
in the A-R office and in the tone of letters to subscribers, making the
subscribers feel uncomfortable during resolution of very minor matters
Mr Atherton will discuss the situation with the A-R management
A compliment was given to A-R for the exemplary actions of some of their
employees in arranging for coverage of a recent Lexington Town Meeting
with very little notice The Town appreciates the effort that was made
It was agreed that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, November
20 at 5 45 p.m. The present meeting was adjourned at 7 15 p.m.
Prepared by David S Becker, acting secretary