HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-16-CAC-minTOWN OF LEXINGTON
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 16, 2025
PARKER ROOM, TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
(AND ALSO BY REMOTE PARTICIPATION)
1. Call to order and roll call: Ken Pogran
CAC Chair Ken Pogran called the meeting to order and conducted roll call at
6:36pm.
CAC Members Present in Person: Ken Pogran, Chair; David Buczkowski, Steve
Kaufman, Nick Lauriat, Rita Vachani
CAC Members Attending Remotely: Bob Avallone, Shabbir Bagasrawala
CAC Members Absent: Dave Becker, Smita Desai, Dorinda Goodman
Quorum: A quorum of members was present
Others Attending Remotely: Florence DelSanto (LexMedia), Kerry Morris
(Comcast)
Materials Referenced: Draft minutes of the CAC December 19, 2024 meeting;
LexMedia FY25 Q1 report; Draft CAC response to LexMedia FY25 Q1 report;
Revised Recording Secretary assignments.
2. Review and Approval of CAC December 2024 Meeting Minutes: Bob
Avallone
The minutes were approved unanimously, with David Buczkowski abstaining as he
was not present at the December meeting.
3. Service Provider Reports: Kerry Morris (Comcast)
Kerry Morris reported that Comcast has made a channel line-up change to their
offerings. The NBC Sports Boston and NESN channels will no longer be available
as part of the Popular Package, and the price of that package will be reduced by
$12 per month. NBC Sports Boston and NESN will be offered as part of the higher
priced Ultimate Package, but there is promotional price being offered at the
moment.
4. Chair's Report: Ken Pogran
a. Ken Pogran reported that the CAC has been confirmed as the Lex250
"Calendar Keepers" for March 20th /21st. The CAC members will meet at 6
pm on March 20th to turn over the Lex250 count down calendar. Nick
Lauriat's daughter will be the photographer for the event.
b. Ken Pogran referred to the revised Recording Secretary assignments and
requested members to let him know if there are any conflicts.
c. Ken Pogran then discussed the vacant position on the CAC. The Select
Board has changed the solicitation and review process for open Committee
positions and the next review is scheduled for early March. Bob Avallone's
friend has applied for the CAC, and there may be others.
5. LexMedia Update: Florence DelSanto (LexMedia)
Florence DelSanto reported that LexMedia continued to be very busy. In addition
to covering all the regular meetings, they provided coverage of concerts during the
holiday season. On the school sports front, LexMedia is covering basketball
games, including the Unified Team (special needs) games. LexMedia also
recorded an interview with the new Town Manager, Steve Bartha. Upcoming
events to be covered: Lunar New Year celebrations, MLK Day observances and
celebrations.
Florence DelSanto also mentioned that LexMedia is gearing up for the 250th
anniversary celebration of the Battle of Lexington. LexMedia added a half-time
staff member in September 2024 in order to be able to support all these activities.
6. LexMedia FY2024 financial statement: Bob Avallone, Smita Desai, Rita
Vachani, Florence DelSanto (LexMedia)
Rita Vachani reported that the Auditor's report for FY2024 showed that LexMedia's
financials were sound. No issues or concerns were identified.
7. 9. LexMedia FY25 Q1 Report and Draft CAC Response: Bob Avallone, Smita
Desai, Rita Vachani
Rita Vachani led the review of the FY25Q1 report and the CAC response. She
mentioned that LexMedia reported on all the required metrics and there were no
areas of concern. The only minor point identified was that the Quarterly Report
was not yet posted on the LexMedia website. The Draft Response was approved
unanimously.
8. Working groups timelines and work plans: Various
Ken Pogran suggested that the LexMedia working group and the Cable Provider
License group (the two groups that have regular timelines for their respective
activities) meet to discuss if they could create and use a common template.
9. Wireless Working Group Update: Steve Kaufman
Steve Kaufman reported that the Wireless working group met and agreed that they
should talk to each of the wireless carriers to request improved coverage in Town,
especially given the upcoming 250th celebrations. They will reach out to the Select
Board and the Town Manager to get their support for the discussions with the
wireless carriers.
10. Complaints: Nick Lauriat (December), Steve Kaufman (January)
Steve Kaufman reported that he received 1 complaint from a resident who lost
Verizon service due to a fiber cut. Steve Kaufman was able to help resolve this
and noted that Niall Connors (our Verizon point of contact) was extremely
responsive. The resident who had reached out for help was very appreciative of
Steve's (CAC's) help.
11. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7.15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rita Vachani
Recording Secretary