HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-16-CAC-min.pdf MINUTES OF MEETING March 16, 1995
CATV AND COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
The meeting was called to order by Gharibian, a quorum was present. Present
were Longcope, Spencer Mairson, Cunha, Frey Lucas, Bussgang, Gharibian,
Stanton, associate member Warner and Joe Magno from Cablevision.
Some members were needed at other meetings and agenda changes were made
to accommodate.
The minutes were approved as amended. Spencer will post minutes on the
Town network.
Warrant Article 19. Mairson suggested that management of the network
should be by the Town and not by the School Department. Spencer felt
cooperation was good and that current wording was correct. Lucas felt
governance was a complex issue and should be discussed seriously at another
time, due to time constraints. All agreed that current wording of the article
would be acceptable for its generality and that we could make more specific
later if deemed necessary
Lucas reported on the visit and discussions with Cablevision. The tone of the
meeting was reasonable and constructive. They will have a revised proposal to
us very soon, no set date. The agreement among members is that we should
continue with our RFP which we can suspend should the proposal that
Cablevision submits be stellar
Cablevision is anticipating a rebuild to begin within the next three years.
Therefore our suggestion of co-joining with Bedford is no longer an issue. It
was suggested by Cablevision that they are offering two options: a longer
franchise will get the rebuild started by 3 years; or a shorter term with all the
options we have now continuing.
It was asked and answered that bi-directional transmission was not discussed,
specifically However Warner is working on our wish list with Cablevision
and it is an issue represented there.
The industry seems not clear on how it wants to go. Frey questioned that a
shorter franchise is our best option. Will we have the opportunity for
upgrading of the technology? Can we expect a significant change in
capacity? Lucas answered that what Cablevision is offering other towns is 750
MHz which is close to what we have now However that capacity on one cable
would help with maintenance.
It was suggested that we might ask Cablevision to assume the responsibility for
providing SCOLA which is provided by the School Department now
Cablevision is offering Internet in Yonkers. Other companies are offering it
in various locations across the country In reference to competition by phone
companies and other suppliers, Cablevision is only asking 'for a level playing
field.
Mairson wants discussion on the status of getting Ethernet into homes. It was
reported that LAN City bridges II and III were to be beta tested in May
1
Brief discussion on the financial information that the Committee wants to be
divulged by Cablevision led to a decision to work with Epstein on all financial
disclosure issues.
Lucas will work on forming another small group made up of Schoman, Cunha
and Warner for discussion of Local Origination issues.
Item # 7 on the wish list involved creating incentives, monetary fines, to
motivate the supplier to comply with service issues.
Mairson suggested that 'standby power' could be one of our bargaining chips.
Discussion moved to unserviced areas in the town which include areas near
Hartwell Avenue, a total of 11 houses and businesses.
Stanton requested that connection to contiguous towns be included in our
requests. The Schools plan to use this service.
Spencer reported that the $100,000. for bridges had been expended. Equipment
maintenance now becomes an issue, also replacement of video hardware. We
are at the 2 year point on some bridges and the maintenance agreement costs
in the area of $12000. if quick response is needed. It was agreed that for the
future, replacement of bridges, TV monitors and other equipment would be
needed
Lucas requested that the Committee think about a 7 year license as our option.
In response to a question, he answered that an exclusive RFP is presented, an
unacceptable response allows us to move to an open request.
Frey questioned when the construction on the rebuild would end. This is more
important ultimately than when it will begin.
Questions were raised about the current procedure for interdiction.
Members requested that user friendly equipment, acceptable to cable ready
units, be required. Pressure should be put to having all of the Basic cable
options put on one cable, instead of the current system of splitting Basic
between the two available cables.
Ethernet to Minuteman Tech was deferred, but at Spencer's request will be
moved up in the Agenda for future.
Stanton submitted to the Committee her report on the Busa question of why we
cannot use the commercial providers like America Online.
Next meeting set for April 12 at 5:30 pm.
Spencer reported that Hastings school has bee rewired, the bridge has been
relocated; it has been re-balanced, hubs are energized; and the building will
be open for a demonstration to Town Meeting members on Sunday from 1 3
pm
Meeting was adjourned after Thanks to all members for extra effort on various
assignments
Submitted from notes,
Jane B. Gharibian, Chair