HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-CAC-rpt-annual.pdf CABLE TV & COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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Annual Report, 1993
Role of the Cable Television &Communications Advisory Committee is: 1) to advise on implementing
cable television, 2) to watch over the performance of the licensee -- A-R Cable Services, Inc.
(d.b.a."Cablevision"), 3) to represent the Town in contractual relationships with the licensee, 4) to be
ombudsman for cable system users, 5) to oversee the use of the Institutional Trunk connecting municipal
and school buildings, and 6) to analyze and advise concerning communications within the Town.
A new responsibility is emerging for the Committee—assisting in the management of the Town's growing
information handling network, interconnecting with Internet, all dedicated toward steering the Town toward
participation in the "information superhighway" of the future.
Cable TV provides six types of service not offered by local commercial TV broadcasters: a) re-distribution
of local broadcasts to produce higher quality images, b) wider spectrum of entertainment programs, c)
access to programs produced by citizens, religious organizations and other Town activities, d) professional
production ("local origination") of programs of local interest, e) communication between Town and citizen,
and f) digital and video communication between various town functions -- schools, libraries, town offices,
etc. This last service (or"Institutional Net") produces significant cost savings to the Town.
In the future, cable can provide additional safety, communication and utilitarian services, since 60-65% of
the Town's residences and over 500 locations within Town buildings are already"hard-wired" to the system.
Re-reaulation of rates and program tiering mandated by Congress has made a shaky start. The Committee
has made an effort to deal with the many changes and uncertainties. Cablevision has been swamped with
subscriber inquiries and regulatory uncertainties. They have not been able to keep up with required change:
nor with adequate communications with subscribers.
Control over subscriber rates and program tiering has been non-existent through September, since the
cable industry had been unregulated. Both the Town and Cablevision still await decisions from the State
and Federal Communications Commission regarding rates and tiering controls. Current indications are that
the Town will probably have no control, the State will control only "Broadcast Basic", and the FCC will
control only"Family" tier No rate or tiering controls are presently planned for premium programming.
New agreements arrived at in 1992 regarding improved standards of operation, new ownership of the
operating company, and funding of town digital communications facilities seem to be working. Similarly,
most operating personnel and all past agreements have remained in place.
License renewal has started. The current license expires in 1996, and renewal process takes up to 3 years.
Coverage of local events has been increased, but we badly need more volunteers to help in production.
Town communications have been addressed, especially in the form of: 1) improvements in the "Institutional
Net"which interconnects all Town facilities, 2) technical consulting regarding Fire and Police dispatch, and
3) expansion of fiberoptic public utility cabling within the Town.
Members & their areas of concern: Julian Bussgang ('93 Chair, regulations), John Cunha (local
programming), Lionel Fray(license renewal), Jane Gharibian ('94 Co-Chair operations), Theodore Mairsorr
(information technology), Sara Schoman (local access), William Spencer(network management), Martha
L Stanton (schools), Julie Triessl (library), and Caleb Warner ('94 Co-Chair subscriber net). Technical
Consultants: Byron Blanchard, Paul Nesbeda. Liaison From the Board of Selectmen: Leo McSweeney