HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-06-22-CAC-min.pdf FROM THE GHARIHIANS PHONE NO. 617 862 2483 P03
MINUTES OF MEETING June 22, 1995
CATV AND COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMYI'11±
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
The meeting was called to order by Gharibian. Present were Spencer, Lucas,
Bussgang, Gharibian, Stanton, Schoman, Liu, Ellis, associate member Warner,
and David Green from Cablevision.
The Minutes were approved; Bill Spencer was requested to provide all members
with a list server e-mail directory
Guests from the Lexington Condominium Group were introduced and their
spokesperson, Gil Garber gave a detailed report on the problems encountered
with the Hudson office of Cablevision when trying to 1) arrange for a bulk
rate, 2) resolve consumer complaints, 3) arrange for having proper
installation and maintenance on the Condo properties and others. He
presented pages of documentation of his attempts and the attempts of others to
reach the appropriate person, or to get a reasonable response from any
person
David Green of Cablevision apologized for the poor response, some of the
instances he was unaware of or had insufficient information on. He assured
the Committee and the Condominium Group that he will 1) return phone calls,
2) see to the resolution of the installation and property maintenance issues
and 3) respond to the bulk rate issue. He says that Cablevision offices are
operated by different entities, he named four as examples, and the policies
between them are not always consistent. The bulk rate policy is one of the
inconsistent ones. He maintains that the Hudson office has made a fair offer to
the Lexington Condominium Group.
Schoman and Spencer felt the Town should know that there is sometimes
unfairness in Cablevision's dealings with customers.
Warner reported on the Ashland regulations issue: strict performance
requirements for the video provider under a town charter system. Court
challenges of the by-law regulations in other towns caused them to be thrown
out. Epstein feels that they are not sensible now for the Town because new
Federal regulations will void them soon. We could check the town charter but
Epstein did not think it worthwhile at this time. Bussgang concurred, but his
interpretation of why was different. -The issue was tabled for one of the next
meetings if it is possible to check with Norm Cohen, Epstein again, and Bedford
for their input.
Lucas reported on the RFP and the negotiating team's positive feeling about
Cablevision's response to date. The written document is quite responsive to our
document. The team, Lucas, Bussgang and Warner, will arrange meetings with
D. Green and try to identify areas of concern.
D. Green introduced John Hendricks, Director of Government from the
Corporate Offices of Cablevision. He remarked that they would prefer to keep
us in the informal mode of negotiation. The committee asked the negotiation
team to decide on formal or informal. They should make their
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recommendation to the Committee and it will be passed on the Board of
Selectmen for a decision.
D. Green continued his report with an echo of Lucas. They are treating our
RFP positively lie reported that Cablevision thinks that we are off to an
excellent start. They are committed to a high level of local programming, a
high level of commitment to the schools. He pointed out that other carriers,
such as NYNFX, would not be offering these services.
9 u , I Further Green reported an adjustment for rates will appear after August 1
VfYLiu asked for a new list of resource people at Cablevision for the Library
' V% j Green will provide it.
Bussgang passed on the latest information on SCOIA rates to Green at an
earlier date. There is strong Town support for the continuation of SCOLA.
Bussgang suggested that it be part of the negotiations.
Spencer reported that there have been enormous improvements in the
maintenance of the 1-trunk, both technically and in attitude and response. He
credited Gary McDonald_
Gharibian apologized for not being prepared well enough to present Mairson's
proposal on 1-net governance. A meeting with McSweeney of the Board of
Selectmen is planned and the issue will be on the next meeting's agenda. A
request for the proposal to be sent to all members was received.
The next meeting will be September 13, at 5.30pm.
Meeting was adjourned at 7.30 pm.
Respectfully ,
4/K/y!
no
ane B. Gharibian, Chair