HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-16-CAC-min-v2.pdf Apr-06-95 08 22A ALBERT EINSTEIN INST 16178760311 P 02
Corrected/Approved: MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 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,
associate member Warner and David Green from Cablevision.
The minutes were approved as presented. A request was made to end the
meeting early because of Candidates Night and it was agreed. Spencer will post
minutes on the Town network. He offered to set-up e-mail accounts for all
committee members should they want. — –'
Lucas will be the focal point for the negotiations. He reported that P Epstein
will get out a boiler-plate RFP for the Committee. Our ascertainment materials
must support the elements in the license. We have a very tight schedule for
accomplishing the process. Statutes give us until Sept. 1. Therefore, we must
put together an RFP by our March meeting. Cablevision has a 1st right of
response. We could be out for competitive bid by June 1.
Our negotiators and license drawing team must be smaller than a quorum.
They must report all action to the Committee for it to deal with and vote on.
Lucas will be our contact with Epstein and will find out how our materials
should be presented, when to post meetings and where.
Bussgang reported that a concurrent license with Bedford will be an
advantage for both Lexington and Cablevision. Bedford is 1 1/2 years out of
synch with Lexington. If we renew for 4 1/2 years we could match up. We
need to know if they are interested. Julian will check also on Hanscom Field's
interest in lining up with our license.
Lucas believes it is in our interest to be combined with the others if we want to
bargain for new technology or a new vendor
Bussgang reports that he has had no answers from the FCC on issues we (he)
has put before them. (negative option billing, etc.)
Warner reported that the warrant article was presented to the Board of
Selectmen and he detected no negative comments from them. Busa wanted to
know why we need this when Prodigy and the like are available. The Link
committee had asked the same question. Stanton is collecting information to
answer
An alternative to Lincoln Lab is offered by a group in Chelmsford at about
$11,600. The capacity is about 1/180th of what we have now
School technology budget for the first year was cut to approximately $653,915.
for infrastructure only Mairson says that local area network was not
connected in some of the schools. Tests should have been done. The fallback
position will get the network in place. Mairson and Spencer will arrange
demo tests. Spencer asked Cablevision to provide maps of facilities so he can
monitor
Apr-06-95 08 22A ALBERT EINSTEIN INST 16178760311 P 03
D Green reports that: 1) equipment for Religious access channel has been
obtained, donated and is ready to be put in. 2) Council on Aging drop is in.
3) the high school has received monitors. 4) rate sheets will be available soon
and mailed out 5) Cable industry as a whole will increase service and offer
incentives to customers 6) refunds on rate changes will be made in May/June
but could be readjusted as no public hearing had been held 'and now will -be;
Family increased 2.7% must be reduced to 2.1% 7) under new FCC "going
forward rules" additional programming will be added to Family service on
March 15 with an approximate charge of $0.20 per channel ($1.20 total);
subscribers will be notified immediately 8) rates for Rainbow and Rainbow
Gold will decrease.
Mairson asked about advertisements on B6 which is Community Bulletin Board.
Green will check. —
Warner asked about numbers of subscribers and average costs? Green replied
that the information is proprietary
Green continued: 1) Franchise fee increase of $0.02 per month to cable
industry by State Cable Commission will be passed on 2) FCC allows up to $0.37•
AR(Cablevision) will charge $0.04
Mairson asked about advertising revenue from channels B2 and B12 which is
supposed to return to the Town; when will it happen? Green will check on
issue
Green continued. 3) the grandfathered tier will be discontinued because of lost
revenues. (Warner estimates 3% of subscribers affected.)
Bussgang reported a number of people had long-tetra outages during last big
storm. They reported having difficulty reaching Cablevision. Cunha reported
receiving similar calls. It was suggested that Green run an overload test on his
phone lines at the Hudson office. Green reported that those people out for
more than 24 hours will get a refund as mandated. Warner pointed out that in
order to get that refund you must apply for it.
Spencer asked if Green had received the Town Manager's letter about
disbursement of funds. They are now overdue. Green will expedite.
Gharibian asked for motion to remove "Co from Chair position (causing some
confusion). Moved, seconded and passed.
Items on Agenda which were not discussed will be postponed to the next
meeting
Next meeting date set for March 16 at 5.30 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 710 pm.
Respectfully submitted.
Julie Longcope