HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-19-CAC-min.pdf MINUTES
Regular Meeting of The Lexington Cable TV& Communications Advisory Committee
March 19, 1998
5:50 Call to Order
Attending:
Chairperson Jane Gharibian, David Becker, David Buczkowski, David Carver, Steve Ellis,
David Kanter, Julie Longcope, Ted Mairson, Raul Marques, Julie Triessl, Bob Warshawer
and Caryn Werlin.
Rob Travers representing Cablevision
Minutes from February 26 meeting approved as amended.
Mr. Kanter presented a report on Mass. Cable Commission public hearing and said that it was
not well attended by representatives of other towns' Cable Committees. Mr. Ellis asked if
there were any surprises. Answer no.
Ms. Gharibian said that the Council on Aging are asking for an I-net drop in their Day Care
Center. Ms. Longcope said that it was in Lincoln. Mr. Ellis said that he will see what can be
done.
Referring to the Planning Board Tower/Antenna Warrant article for Town Meeting, Mr.
Becker said that he thought that the responsibility of granting permits should bethat of the
Planning Board because it is technically more competent and has more support that the Board
of Appeals. Mr. Kanter and Ms. Gharibian agreed. Mr. Becker also showed concern about
"by right" antennas and said that they still will have to meet standards. Mr. Warshawer said
that "by right" antennas will still have to get a permit. Mr. Kanter point out that the town will
have to come up with a set of regulations and suggested that the Committee volunteer to help
draft the regulations. The Committee agreed.
A Committee report will be presented at Town Meeting by Mr. Kanter.
Regarding the Carroll Antennas public hearing, nobody knew where the hearing was going to
be held. The general feeling was that the antennas were morally incorrect. Mr. Kanter said
that an antenna is not a utility substation. Mr. Warshawer moved that Mr. Kanter represent
the Committee at the Hearing. It passed unanimously with Mr. Kanter abstaining.
Mr. Becker reported on negotiations with RCN. There are a few technical points still to be
worked out before scheduling a public hearing.
New member Mr. David Carver introduced himself and asked to be excused at that time.
Ms. Triessl said that Library down-time has improved. Mr. Ellis said that the I-net at the
library is working but that there are problems at many other sites and that is very difficult to
identify where the problems are. Mr. Becker asked Mr. Travers to look into if there is any
equipment that would make that trouble-shouting easier. Mr. Ellis also said that the cold
weather makes the I-net break down, but the real problem is that it is an old system and that
Cablevision will get to work on it as soon as dry weather sets in.
Mr. Becker presented the complaints report. (Attached) Mr. Travers said that he is aware of
the complaints and he will follow up on them.
Mr. Travers presented the L. 0. Financial Year End Report for 1997 totaling $196,259 Mr.
Becker was surprised that the highest item was G&A at 92K.
Mr. Travers explained that G&A included part of corporate Cablevision management as
well as rent and utilities.
Mr. Warshawer said that the channel list is very good but that the preview channel has to be
updated to be of any use.
Mr. Travers confirmed that a new religious channel will be added to the must-carry line-up
starting April 30 and that there is no need to drop any other channel to accommodate the new
one.
Mr. Marques presented a Report for the Creation of an Access Corporation to Administer the
PEG Access Channels. Mr. Kanter said that he would like to see numbers attached to the
report. Mr. Marques agreed to present those numbers.
The next meeting will be April 16 @ 5 45
Meeting adjourned at 7 45pm
Respectfully submited
Raul Marques