HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-21-CAC-min.pdf COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 21 1999 MEETING
Committee members present were David Becker, David Buczkowski, Steven Ellis, Jane
Gharibian (Chair), Michael Green, David Kanter, Jennifer Taub, Julie Triessl, Robert
Warshawer and Caryn Werlin. Also present, Jeanne Kreiger from the Board of
Selectmen and Robert Travers from Cablevision.
Mr Becker was named complaint person for November
David Balsom's resignation was accepted with regret.
The new members were introduced to the Committee
The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as corrected with the switch of Mr
Becker and Ms. Werlin as complaint persons.
Mr Kanter reported on the status of the RCN system
1 The lease has been executed for the hub site.
2. As of 10/21/99, stranding is 88% complete, coax is 10% complete and
power supplies are 80% complete.
3 The revised construction map reveals that there are no longer any power
supplies in the Historic Districts.
4 RCN will attend the Historic Districts Committee meeting with sample
parts of items, which it proposes to install.
A status report was then given on the Metromedia Fiber Network (MFS) trunk line
through Town, which will run down Waltham Street to the Bell Atlantic central office
and out towards Bedford.Street. An application is before the Town for installation of all
but a portion between Harrington Road and Worthen Road along Bedford Street, which
must be coordinated with the other utilities including RCN and Cablevision.
Mr Travers reported that Cablevision will commence the rebuild in Lexington in the
first half of 2000 subject to permits and a grant of location. Cablevision intends to raise
the current system 8-12 inches, build the new system in the old location and then
remove the old system. The old I-net will not be removed. Mr Travers estimates it will
take approximately six months froth start to finish for the rebuild. There will be 100+
power supplies on the hybrid system which will consist of fiber optics to coaxial. Some
drops may be left in place using only a single strand of the drop Only one power
supply can be located on a pole so it is first come-first served between Cablevision and
RCN
A discussion then ensued regarding a EAS clarification regarding whether the Fire
Chief can input a message or whether it must be canned. Mr Travers stated he would
follow up but that it appeared that his company could not locate the problem.
The Cablevision license-negotiating team requested further issues to be added to the
Wish List maintained by Mr Warshawer Ms. Taub and Mr Green agreed to serve on
the subcommittee.
Ms. Gharbian and Mr Becker reported on the meeting with Dan Fenn regarding the
Access Corporation. Mr Fenn suggested that the Town select a board that will be
proactive and that is willing to coordinate its activities with the boards of any other
towns Lexington might link up with. He also said that the board should come up with a
questionnaire to leave at the library and other town locations seeking responses as to
what people want to see on the Local Access channel as well as whether there is any
interest in involvement in the access corporation. A discussion was held about the idea
of having Cablevision produce a demonstration tape illustrating what local access is.
Mr Travers agreed to have Ron Rego put together a video. It was also suggested that a
short notice about the access corporation be inserted in the next Selectmen's letter Julie
Triessl will follow up on this.
Ms. Gharibian reported that the Selectmen accepted the Committee's mission rewrite as
well as the name change to Communications Advisory Committee and appointment of
new members.
Steve Ellis reported that the new studio camera has been ordered and will arrive I a
week or two.
Mr Kanter reported that the AT&T's formal wireless application for a 12'X20'
building at the high tension wires on Wood Street was filed on October 6, 1999 He
submitted a memorandum confirming that AT&T had met the criteria of Sec. 15 The
hearing is scheduled for October 28, 1999 American Tower Corp. has submitted an
application for a paging station on Concord Avenue wherein it seeks to add four whip
antennas to an existing antenna.
Mr Ellis submitted his monthly I-Net report noting the 4.5 hour afternoon outage along
Mass. Ave. the prior week during a windstorm. He stated that the system is not reliable
due to the age (16 years) of the I-Net and turnover in Cablevision personnel. His next
project involves him and Connie meeting with network hardware vendors to begin the
purchasing process of networking hardware. A general discussion was held regarding
the purchase of new equipment.
Mr Travers reported further about rebuilds in Peabody, Danvers, Lynnfield and
Bedford. Cablevision is working on a grant of location with David Charboneau. They
have also met with the Conservation Commission as well as others. There is no
announced buyer for Cablevision yet. Regarding internet service in other towns, any
such service (Optima 1) is interim until the buyout. Finally, Mr Travers reported that
the Mass. Cable Commission was expected to rule within a week on a refund, which
will be reflected in the January cable bills. It is anticipated that a $1.24 credit will be
given on installations along with a $.57 equipment credit.
The next meeting is scheduled for November 18, 1999 at 5 45 p.m. in the Selectmen's
Room.
The meeting was adjourned at 7.29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by David J Buczkowski, acting secretary