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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-11-CAC-min.pdf Lexington Cable Television and Communications Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes—2/11/99 In attendance: Jane Gharibian (Chair), David Balsom,David Becker, David Buczkowski, David Carver, Steve Ellis, David Kanter, Bret Kinsella,Julie Triessl,Robert Warshawer,Caryn Werlin, Rob Travers representing Cablevision Time Comments 5:45p Meeting opened,begin review of minutes from January meeting 5.46p David Kanter submitted a change to the January minutes"Mass Cable Division response on the Cablevision rate question was that,except for a minor difference in one filing,the filings were satisfactory" 5:48p David Kanter submitted a change to the January minutes regarding the RCN negotiation report by Becker: in item 1, strike and wireless" 5:50p Minutes approved as corrected 5:51p David Kanter commented that discrepancies in the data presented to the committee by Cablevision were corrected for the out of variance reports. David Kanter agreed to prepare a final presentation for the Selectmen documenting revisions in the data 5:55p Julie Triessl reported regarding the"Lexington Cable Service Survey" • We have received nearly 70 responses both electronically and in hard copy format 5:57p Report from the negotiating committee: David Kanter reported • Provisional License draft reviewed by negotiating committee members • A draft of the Provisional License was released to RCN for review • Expect is will be days or even weeks before RCN responds • The Historic District Commission(HDC)has requested that any new infrastructure placed in historic district be underground- they communicated orally that would like this incorporated into the contract 6:05p The Cable Commission agreed to David Kanter s motion that the HDC put their request in writing,specify which areas it would like this provision applied to,and indicate the basis for the request including if there is any precedent for such clauses 6:07p David Kanter reported the status of training for EAS (Emergency Alert System) The report centered around the remote activation of the EAS and the ability to transmit voice and text messages over the cable infrastructure and preempt all current programming to deliver the message • The system is set up such that Lexington,Bedford and the Hansom systems would all be affected by such a message- therefore,when a local situation occurs and message is sent via EAS,it will appear on the screen of consumers in all three communities • There are already systems in place that support national, state and county messages of this type,Lexington now has its own capability • There are a number of software problems that were encountered when trying to set up the system initially including the ability to add text and display it properly • Mr. Kanter's perspective is that the system is not currently suitable for a local civil defense official to use,but work is being performed to fix the message input limitations 6:20p Jane Gharibian asked for volunteers for a negotiation team to focus on the Cablevision contract renewal-Bob Warshawer,David Balsam,Steve Ellis,Dave Buczkowski and Bret Kinsella each expressed interest It was agreed that the negotiating committee should probably not begin meeting until the RCN license procedure stabilizes 6:35p Steve Ellis presented the monthly I-net report: • One problem due to Boston Edison • One problem with the ISP • One problem with hardware • No problems with Cablevision this month All issues have been resolved as of the meeting date. 6:40p Jane Gharibian reported on the canvas for likely board members for the Access Corp. • Four names received to date (2 declined interest) • Need more names for consideration 6:45p Jane Gharibian reported on the Cablevision"Ticket" promotion. • Received one complaint that free upgrade was not really free- the upgrade was free,but higher monthly premiums applied to all upgraded customers • No mention of the added premiums was included in the mailer • However,when consumers called to sign up for the service, they were told about the higher premiums by the sales representatives • The committee took no action on the matter,but expressed the desire to see a 'higher premiums may apply" disclaimer on future promotional material of similar nature 6:50p Rob Travers of Cablevision reported that the rebuild is actively progressing: • Braintree is nearly complete • Westwood will be completed in April • The rebuild is progressing at about one town per month • Rebuild in the Northwest suburbs will begin after April • Committee members asked for additional information regarding the service bundles and pricing that Cablevision is offering in the rebuilt communities • Communities will be notified 6-8 weeks prior to scheduled rebuild activities • Communities will be notified of the specific roll-out schedule by neighborhood approximately 1-2 weeks prior to commencement of rebuild activities • Service disruptions will be experienced during the rebuild activities On a separate note: • Caryn Werlin mentioned that Cablevision has been covering local school meetings, but has not picked up equipment after the meetings- Mr. Travers agreed to investigate the matter 7:OOp Other business: • Bob Warshawer offered an update on the hearings for the new area code overlays • David Kanter offered and update on Board of Appeals actions on wireless tower placement • David Kanter also mentioned that AT&T has requested to place a facility on the Stride Rite Corporation Building 7:10p Date for next meeting is set for March 18,1999,5:45pm,Selectman's room 7:15p Adjourn