HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-06-15-CAC-min.pdf MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 1994
CATV AND COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
The meeting was called to order by Warner, a quorum was present. Present
were Longcope, Spencer Mairson, Warner, Stanton and Gharibian, with Joe
Magno representing Cablevision. Cunha and McSweeney arrived later.
The minutes were approved as presented.
Warner expressed thanks for himself, Gharibian and the entire Committee for
the work of Longcope and Triessl in getting the questionnaires distributed to
the Town Office and the Cary Library Special thanks to Triessl for her hard
work on putting the questionnaire into usable form and for her efforts on
behalf of the Committee in succeeding to get the questionnaire printed in the
Minuteman newspaper on June 16. It was noted that a few have already been
completed and returned at both the above locations. Longcope asked for
clarification on when the information will be available on results. Gharibian
answered that the plan was to collate the information and release it in the Fall.
Attention was directed to the format to be used at the upcoming June 20 Public
Hearing. McSweeney went through his outline of procedure which prompted
discussion on tactics and content. He will give opening explanatory remarks
for Selectmen: will explain the time breakdown of 40-50 minutes per section
(Future items and Consumer concerns) and the citizen limit of 3 minutes per
opening statement. McSeeney will "police" the three minute statement rule.
Warner will explain for the Committee some of the items that we, the Town of
Lexington, have no control over in the licensing process emphasizing that we
intend to hear concerns later in the hearing.
Magno asked if Cablevision was going to have a part in the hearing: a panel or
representative, a time for presentation, etc. Discussion continued on this
subject with a decision to offer Cablevision time at the end of the hearing for
comments. Invitations have been extended to the Hudson office and
notification has been given in several forms. .phone, fax and letter. Magno
strongly felt that the General Manager should be invited.
Warner distributed copies of our (his) 10 item memo on future concerns which
now contained an 11th item suggested by Epstein. After discussion of time
constraints, the Committee agreed to combine several of the items and to
eliminate two items completely The final memo of 7 items will be available as
a handout for all attending the hearing. Warner will edit and refine it
beforehand
Each member agreed to take one item to present at the hearing.
Stanton #1 Additional channels
Cunha #2 Support for ancillary services
Longcope #3 Incentives to attract competition
Gharibian #4 Public Safety
Spencer #5 Interactive capability & Interconnectability
Schoman/
Warner #6 Tier make-up selection
Mairson #7 In-home controls & Interdiction
Schoman will be asked if she will present #6. Warner will do it if she is not
able.
Several members expressed concern that consumer complaints might take
over the hearing and that committee members might be asked for opinions on
the issues. Participants also might pose questions for which they want
answers given at the hearing. McSweeney will attempt to divert that kind of
response and will remind those at the hearing that the purpose of the hearing
is to enter questions into the public record, to attempt to clarify issues, not to
answer questions from the floor. He will remind those at the hearing that
members are not there to offer opinions but are gathering information which
we hope will lead us to a well crafted license for the Town.
Epstein suggested that it be mentioned at the beginning of the hearing that
the public record of the hearing is open for 14 days after the close of the
hearing. Any written concerns or questions can be enterd at anytime during
that 14 day period. McSweeney will address this at the beginning and later
during the hearing, when and if necessary Magno suggested that we
emphasize the importance of questions and comments on the record.
McSweeney expressed his gratitude that by our design of the hearing format
we had involved almost everyone on the Committee in the Hearing.
Warner gave three short reports. 1) Somers has moved on to Boston/Brookline
office and has been replaced by D. Green. 2) Lexington Ridge has been stalled
by Cablevision in the installation for Units 2-5 (Unit 1 has temporary service)
claiming new bid requirements have slowed them down. Warner has urged
that they put their installation time frame in writing. Although installation
issues are governed by Federal law, and on the face, Cablevision seems to be in
violation, no one wants to get into litigation over it. Warner will monitor the
situation.
3) Announcements of new rates from Cablevision have been sent to Warner.
Cablevision has filed with the State for approval. There is an increase in the
Basic Rate of approx. $4. and a decrease in the Family Rate of the same amount.
There will be only about 6-8% of Lexington subscribers who will be adversely
affected, in the beginning, by this. What it bodes for the future is not clear.
Again, new laws is this area do not give us any bargaining power on rate
changes.
Under new business or new agenda items for the next meeting, Mairson urged
that we start working on and thinking seriously about the future of the I-net.
The Town needs to be thinking about the impact of costs for the FY% budget.
The impact of new legislation and direct charges on bills need to be discussed.
Mairson has prepared a memo on these subjects and others related to the I-net
now and in the near future. He will edit it and Warner will see that it is
distributed to the members. This item will be number 1 on the Agenda for our
first meeting in the Fall.
Mairson circulated a 'generic' letter from TCG, a fiber optics company, which
had been passed on to him. The letter mentioned our public hearing and TCG's
interest in working with the Town on fiber optics installation and technology
Concern was expressed that this and other communications from similar
companies has not been passed directly to the Committee for consideration.
It was agreed that we would meet briefly after the hearing to determine if we
need another meeting before Fall to re-huh the information from the
hearing. If the re-hash meeting is not needed, our next meeting is scheduled
for September 21 at 5:30 pm.
The meeting was adjourned with thanks to all.
Note: It was clarified by David Green on the morning after this meeting that
the new rates go into effect on July 14. Cablevision does not need to wait for
State approval.
'spectfully submitted,
/lane B Gharibian