HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-15-CAC-min.pdf NOV-16-1998 10:06 CHICAGO TITLE/TICOR 617 210 0775 P 02/04
CABLE TELEVISION AND COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMI11eE
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 15, 1998 MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 5:57 p.m.
Committee members present were David Buczkowski, David Caner, Steve Ellis, Jane
Gharibian, David Kanter, Raul Marques and Caryn Werlin. Rob Travers attended for
Cablevision and Darwin Adams, a resident, also attended.
Caryn Werlin was designated as complaint person for November.
Upon motion which was seconded and unanimously approved, the Minutes for the September
17, 1998 were accepted with the following changes made:
a. Page 2, 1st paragraph - Channel 2 was remapped to 31,
b. Page 2, 4th paragraph, 1st and 3rd lines - delete 'systems";
c. The next meeting should be October 15 1998.
The Committee was advised that SCOLA would be down for 8 Tuesdays so that the Annenberg
science tapes could be downloaded.
David Kanter reported that copies of the Compliance report were prepared and approved by the
Selectmen on October 5, 1998. A response is due October 16, 1998 which is still being
prepared. The Committee will then file a report with its advice to the Selectmen.
David Kanter reported on the submittal to the Massachusetts Cable Division of Form 500
regarding submitting complaints. The subcommittee submitted its response on September 29
1998. Apparently the Division's intent is to make the Form an automated annual submittal rather
than its current quarterly submittal. Mr. Kanter stated that his concerns were that the required
information on the Form is not aggregated and simplified too much. The Division received a
substantial number of comments though Mr. Kanter was given no feedback as to how our
concerns were received. He was also informed that it was not the Division's intent to override
mutually agreed to terms between an issuing authority and cable provider which terms required
more data to be reported than is included in Form 500.
David Kanter reported on the status of negotiations with RCN. An Amended Summary of
Proposed Major License Provisions was submitted through counsel to RCN. If the Amended
Summary is not acceptable and substantive issues remain,the negotiation subcommittee will meet
again to prepare a response.
The proposed report on the status of meetings and training on the Emergency Alert System
(EAS) was tabled until the next meeting due to the absence of David Becker. However, it was
reported that Tom Garcia, Director of Engineering for Cablevision, met with Chief Quinlan and
that training sessions are scheduled to be held in Mid-November. Mr Travers reported that the
tie-in with the National Weather Service was still in place. A discussion was held as to whether
the Town wanted in-town studio capability for emergency alerts, i.e. whether to add video to
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text. Mr. Travers indicated that text requires a phone line at the bead-end.
Raul Marques reported on the October 1, 1998 public meeting regarding a proposed Public
Access Corporation. Since the meeting was sparsely attended by the public he did not feel he
had an accurate gauge of support for a public corporation. He wondered whether additional
meetings would be helpful. Mr. Kanter stated that the meeting was helpful and informative but
that issues remained on scaling as it relates to resources which needed to be clarified.
A general discussion of time, political, financial and technical considerations ensued. Ms,
Gharibian discussed at length the need for a board of directors comprised of aggressive, highly
motivated individuals with experience in obtaining grants and corporate donations. She felt that
identifying such individuals should be the next step in the process. She also discussed the
negative experience the Committee had the last time it explored the issue.
Mr. Kanter stated that a critical mass of people had to be identified in the Town as the Town's
resources are already stretched "a little bit thin" Mr. Marques disagreed and felt that there is
interest to which Mr Kanter stated that interest was not enough to proceed with a corporation.
It is a big step from interest to those who would get "out front in the harnesses" Mr. Ellis and
Mr Carver also offered suggestions as to how to proceed and items to be addressed in order
successfully launch a public access corporation. The matter was left with Mr. Marques agreeing
to contact Betty Eddison for names of individuals who might provided assistance.
Steve Ellis reported on the I-Net. There was an easily fixed incident on October 2, 1998, an
amplifier blew the next problem was difficult to locate since it involved a "feeling of unease"
there were multiple problems over the last week, as the signal levels were out of adjustment and
there was interference caused by interconnected lines.
Mr. Travers reported that there was no specific date set for the rebuild but that it would have
to be set before January 1, 1999 in order to be part of the budget for 1999. He state that the
weather Channel graphics would not improve until the head-end and, ultimately, the system was
rebuilt. Head-ends will be reduced to 3 or 4 from the current 12 in order to serve the entire
region. Mr. Travers was very evasive as to when any of this could reasonably be expected.
Mr Travers spoke regarding the basic cable=upping relative to convener charges. He alleged
that charges are not being leveled to basic customers with converters and that, if they are, they
should contact Cablevision. He stated that he had rio more information on whether customers
were actually charged for installation but he is in the process of finding this out. Mr Kanter
again spoke about a mailing to basic customers. Mr. Travers stated that Cablevision is waiting
until the new cards are printed. Upon inquiry, Mr. Travers stated that cards are only reprinted
annually or when new channels are added. No new channels are contemplated so that the new
cards will not be printed until June 1999 Mr Kanter and others expressed their dismay with
Cablevision's lack of response to the problem.
Mr Travers then spoke of the new rate change recalculations regarding the TBS rate increase
The latest Form 1240 "true up" (which will soon be received by the Town) will include the
March 26, 1998 and June 1, 1998 rate adjustments.
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The monthly Drummer Boy Condominium status report was given by Mr. Travers. An access
agreement was provided to the Trustees 5 weeks ago. The issue of "undergrounding" of the
cable was raised by Mr Kanter. This involves previously installed underground cable which has
"surfaced" due to faulty installation (i.e. cable not Stalled in conduit). Apparently Cablevision
will not maintain the cable already in place even though there is a safety issue due to the
possibility of residents tripping on the exposed cable.
Mr Travers reported on the "Cable in the Classroom" summit. lie also admitted that there were
problems with "ghosts" on Channel 83 which Cablevision was unable to fix. Finally, he
announced that whenever the system is rebuilt, Cablevision would offer Internet access.
In new business, Mr Caner inquired about broadband (high speed internes access).
The next meeting is scheduled for November 19 1998 at 5;45 p.m. in the Selectmen's Room.
The meeting was adjourned at 7 19 p.m.
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