HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-20-CAC-min.RCN.Renewal.License.Public.Hearing TOWN OF LEXINGTON
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JUNE 20, 2019
PUBLIC HEARING
RENEWAL OF CABLE TELEVISION LICENSE
RCN TELECOM SERVICES OF MASSACHUSETTS, LLC
Call to order. Committee Chair Kenneth Pogran called the meeting of the
Communications Advisory Committee to order and opened the Public Hearing at 7:01
PM in the Selectman's Meeting Room, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue.
Communications Advisory Committee Members Present: Kenneth Pogran, Chair;
Dave Becker; Dorinda Goodman; Nick Lauriat; Ben Moroze; Ramin Taraz.
Communications Advisory Committee Members Absent: Robert Avallone, David
Buczkowski, Smita Desai, P.K. Shiu, Rita Vachani.
Quorum: A quorum of Communications Advisory Committee members was present.
Others Present: Mark Sandeen. Selectman; Thomas Steel, Vice President and
Regulatory Counsel, RCN Telecom Services of Massachusetts.
Materials Referenced: Formal notices of the RCN license renewal public hearing
published in the Lexington Minuteman on June 6 and June 13;proposed RCN cable
television renewal license.
Mr. Sandeen began by explaining the role of the Board of Selectmen as statutory Issuing
Authority for cable television licenses in Lexington, and stated the purpose of the
hearing, to receive comments regarding the proposed renewal cable television license for
RCN, part of the license renewal process required by State and Federal laws and
regulations.
Mr. Sandeen noted that formal notice of the hearing was published in the Lexington
Minuteman on June 6 and 13th; copies of these notices are attached to these minutes. Mr.
Sandeen also noted that the hearing was being recorded by LexMedia for the purpose of
providing a transcript.
Mr. Sandeen reviewed the status of the three cable television provider licenses in
Lexington with Comcast, RCN, and Verizon, and noted that RCN's current license term
was to expire on June 30, 2019. Mr. Sandeen outlined the process that had been followed
to date regarding renewal of RCN's license, including the public ascertainment process
and the identification of cable television-related needs of the Town and Schools. Mr.
Sandeen noted that a public hearing was held on March 26, 2018 as part of the
ascertainment process, and that all comments received in connection with that hearing
were favorable.
Mr. Sandeen explained that, following discussion of the Town's proposed requirements
with RCN, RCN submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Town. This proposal became
the basis of negotiation on the terms and wording acceptable to both parties in the draft
license now being considered. Mr. Sandeen noted that the draft license had been available
for review by the public in preparation for this hearing.
Mr. Sandeen then outlined the remaining steps in the license renewal process, noting that
written comments would be accepted in person or via email at the Selectmen's office
until 1:00 PM on Friday, June 21.
Mr. Sandeen noted that, on the basis of comments received at this hearing, the
Communications Advisory Committee would make a recommendation to the Board of
Selectmen regarding the terms of the renewal license, so that the Board might discuss the
recommendation and decide to accept, reject, or modify the terms of the renewal license,
and then, if the Selectmen determine that the license is to the benefit of the Town, sign
the renewal license.
Mr. Nick Lauriat, a member of the Communications Advisory Committee's negotiating
team, then welcomed those in attendance at the hearing. He named the members of the
Communications Advisory Committee and introduced those who were in attendance at
the hearing. He also introduced Mr. Thomas Steel, RCN's Vice President and Regulatory
Counsel, who was the RCN individual primarily responsible for negotiation of the
renewal license with the Town.
No members of the public offered comments.
Members of the Communications Advisory Committee expressed their appreciation to
RCN for the services RCN has provided to the town, and stated that they looked forward
to continuing the excellent working relationship the Town has had with RCN.
Mr. Sandeen similarly expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Steel stated that RCN also looked forward to continuing his company's relationship
with the Town.
There being no further comments, Mr. Pogran closed the hearing and adjourned the
meeting at 7:19 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth T. Pogran
Chair, Communications Advisory Committee
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