HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-16-CAC-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 16, 2020
Call to order. CAC Chair Kenneth Pogran called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the
Parker Room (G-15) of the Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue.
Members Present: Ken Pogran, Chair; Nick Lauriat; Dave Buczkowski; PK Shiu;
Dorinda Goodman; Rita Vachani; David Becker
Members Absent: Ben Moroze; Ramin Taraz; Bob Avallone; Smita Desai.
Quorum: A quorum of members was present.
Others Present: Charles Hornig, Planning Board; Ingrid Klimoff, member of the public.
Materials Referenced: Minutes of the meeting of Dec 19'', 2019; Minutes of the
meeting of June 20 meeting (Public Hearing re RCN proposed renewal license); RCN
response email; Mr. Ramin Taraz's comment via email re the wireless facility zoning
change.
1. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes, December 19, 2019
The minutes of the meeting of Dec 19'', 2019 were unanimously approved.
2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes, June 20, 2019 (RCN Proposed Renewal
License Public Hearing)
The minutes of the meeting of June 20th, 2019 were unanimously approved.
3. Service Provider Reports
The CAC has received a report from Tom Steele of RCN. Mr. Pogran summarized the
RCN report noting RCN will no longer itemize surcharges on their bills for new
subscribers. The committee discussed whether this change will affect new subscribers
only; how would RCN handle future rate changes; and whether this change is unique
to RCN. Since the CAC will likely receive questions on this matter, Mr. Pogran will
reach out to Tom Steele to clarify how programming cost changes will be reflected in
this new billing format.
4. Chairman's Report
The Chairman noted a few CAC members are due to update their conflict of interest
on-line training from the Town. Training must be completed every two years from the
date of last training.
5. PEG Access contract status
Mr. Pogran noted that Ms. Smita Desai of the PEG working group will be unavailable
for an extended period of time. Mr. Pogran will step in to help with the PEG contract
effort. The working group has a copy of the RFP from 10 years ago, and also has the
LexMedia's response to the RFP. Ms. Rita Vachani indicated the Select Board would
like a briefing from the CAC on this topic sometime in February.
The committee discussed how cord cutting will affect revenue projections over 10
years. Ms. Rita Vachani presented a revenue analysis showing possible scenarios by
estimating the reduction in Cable subscriptions over time. The committee discussed
how a reduced funding level will affect services expected in the RFP. The RFP
should include both a required level of services, and separately any additional level of
services proposed by the vendor.
6. Recommendation regarding potential changes to the Wireless Communication
Facilities section of the Zoning Bylaw in response to recent Federal
Communications Commission rulemakings
Mr. Pogran reported the Wireless services working group met with Mr. Charles
Hornig of the Planning Board and Select Board Member. Mark Sandeen during the
working group meeting Tuesday Jan 14Th, reviewed and gave feedback to Mr.
Hornig's proposed changes to the bylaw. Mr. Hornig reported during the subsequent
Planning Board meeting on Wed Jan 15Ih, someone indicated potentially there is
another effort within the town office looking into 5G related issues but specific
details were not made available during that meeting. It is unclear whether that effort
would be in conflict with the zoning proposal work. Mr. Hornig's proposed changes
were not discussed in detail as a result, while the board seek clarifications on the
other potential work being done.
The committee discussed the details on what locations are governed by zoning bylaws
in town. Mr. Hornig indicated there will be a public hearing on Feb 26h, to review the
proposed changes. Mr. Pogran indicated the Select Board will seek advice from the
CAC on the changes after the hearing. The CAC will take a position and advise the
Select Board.
Mr. Pogran read comments from Mr. Ramin Taraz, member of the wireless working
group for the CAC, as Mr. Taraz could not attend this meeting in person. Mr. Taraz
expressed a need to maintain some level of control by the town while following the
new FCC rulemaking, and suggested the possibility of postponing the Feb 26h
hearing.
Mr. Pogran indicated further discussions will be held at the next wireless working
group and CAC meetings in February.
7. Verizon license renewal Status
Mr. Becker indicated the CAC need to schedule a public hearing for the Verizon
license renewal, ideally at the March 19'h regular CAC meeting.
8. Town IT update
Ms. Goodman indicated there was no update.
9. Wireless applications
Mr. Lauriat indicated there were no new applications.
10. Complaints
None received.
Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
PK Shiu
Recording Secretary