HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-26-CAC-min.pdf CATV Communications Advisory Committee
Minutes of Meeting
April 26, 1996
Members Present. Stephen Ellis, Martha Stanton, Robert Warshawer Julie
Longcone, David Buczkowski, Ted Mairson, David Kantor Julian Bussgang,
Peggy Bateson, Caleb Warner Jane Gharabian and Peter Atherton
representing Cablevision.
1 Meeting was called to order at 5.40p.m. by Chairman Jane Gharabian.
2. Minutes of the meeting of March 28, 1996 were approved.
3 Complaint person for May is
4. New Business
Jane reported that she spoke to Raoul Marques regarding the
presentation and proposal he made at the last CATV Committee
meeting. Mr Marques took note of all of our suggestions about getting
started. He will develop a plan and proceed as he sees fit.
Jane also reported that she has a meeting with George Woodbury Mr
Woodbury will be present at our next meeting and will make a
presentation to the committee at that time.
Ted Mairson reported on the meeting with the Selectmen. Ted noted that
he spoke to Bill Dailey after making his presentation with regard to a
need for a network manager Caleb Warner who was also at the
Selectmen's meeting, reported that he asked the Selectmen if they would
make a resolution to study the need for a network manager David
Kantor noted that he did not feel the Selectmen understood the
importance of the issue that the CATV Advisory Committee was trying to
bring forward. Jane Gharabian reiterated that this committee has gone
on record with our concerns and has done its best to make the
Selectmen aware of the need for a network manager Caleb Warner said
that as a member of Town Meeting he feels the issue of a network
manager requires further study and that Town Meeting would not
support it until that is done.
Peter was told that the transmission signal of Town Meeting is not
adequate in some areas resulting in poor reception.
David Kantor reported he is waiting for CATV to repair the installation at
Drummer Boy condominiums.
Julian Bussgang reported on a complaint received on a 13% rate
increase. Julian was informed of a new regulation about the processing
of subscriber complaints. Peter informed us that the FCC is no longer
accepting complaints and that complaints should go to the MSCA. He
also noted that CATV has received nothing official on the processing of
complaints. David Kantor noted his concern about new rates as they
relate to swap-offs of cable boxes. He suggested that we continue to
monitor the situation to see if the changes we anticipate in rates occur
It was decided that we should continue to listen to and monitor
complaints as they are received and provide people with the necessary
information to take their complaints further
License Renewal
It should be noted that at this time Peter Atherton of Cablevision was
asked to leave the meeting by Chairman Jane Gharabian so the
committee could discuss the license renewal. He declined, informing the
committee that he was under orders by Cablevision to remain.
Caleb Warner noted that some exhibits were missing from the license but
that they would be provided at a future date. Ted Mairson noted concerns
about some items in the new contract. Discussion followed as Ted
reviewed each of his concerns. David Kantor and Julian Bussgang had
already provided Caleb with a list of their concerns. Caleb thanked all
committee members for their input and said he would review suggestions
and make changes if necessary It was agreed that the negotiating team
should continue the license renewal process.
The following motion was made and passed: "Provided we get the
concurrence of counsel, we authorize the release of the current draft
renewal license provided it is clearly marked as a draft and stipulates
that the town reserves its right to amend/revise any and all of its
position.
Jane suggested that Caleb draft a cover letter and send it to Peter for his
okay Peter would then deliver it to town counsel. Martha Stanton moved
that the committee express its thanks to the negotiating team for its
hard work. The motion was approved.
David Kantor reported that he attended a meeting on the new Cable Act
and shared his thoughts on that meeting. He also shared a hand out
that was distributed at that meeting.
The next meeting was set for May 16, 1996 at 5:30p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 7.30p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Bateson