HomeMy Public PortalAboutCable Television Advisory -- 2007-11-06 MinutesMinutes of the meeting of the Brewster Cable TV Advisory Committee scheduled for 7:00 nm on '('uesdav
6 November 2007.
The meeting is called to order at 7:04 pm on Tuesday 6 November 2007 by Larry Greeley.
Members present at this time are:
Larry Greelev
Norman Adams
Walter Powers
Jim Tvrdik
Norman Adams distributes copies of the draft minutes of the meeting of Tuesday 4 September 2007.
A motion is made by tarry Greeley and seconded by Norman Adams to accept the minutes of the meeting
of Tuesday 4 September 2007 as presented. The vote to accept is unanimous.
Larry reports that the person chosen by the Board of Selectmen to fill a vacancy in this committee has
been sworn in. His name is Lary Bugden. He will not be able to attend tonight due to a previous
commitment.
Larry reports on two recent communications relevant to the BrCTVAC which he has received since our last
meeting.
1) The Massachusetts Deparhnent of Telecommunications & Cable has sent a letter pointing out that the
window for the next negotiation for the Brewster Cable TV franchise is now opening. This fact reminds us
that we should be gathering various kinds of information which reflect the opinions of the citizens relevant
to cable TV and which at the same time are legally relevant to those future negotiations.
2) Tom Cole, who is acting as chairman of the informal group ("Lower Cape Public Access Regionalization
Group") which is discussing issues involved in cooperation among the six lower cape towns (Brewster,
Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown) in dealing with Comcast particularly in relation to
the possible outsourcing of Comcast's provision of the public channel (P) of community access TV including
the necessary facilities and the management thereof, has informed Larry and the similar representatives of
the other towns that there will be a meeting of that committee on Saturday 10 November 2007 at 10:30 am
in the Eastham Town Hall. This meeting is to include Bill Solomon (the lawyer) and Chuck Sherwood (his
technical assistant).
Lary remarks on the fact that Comcast has recently (3 November 2007) moved the CSPAN2 channel from
an analog channel to a digital channel. This, while apparently not a change which Comcast has to get
permission to do, does have some impact on the opinions of the subscribers about the Comcast service.
Larry further remarks that he has himself at his home experienced poor technician performance with regard
to installation and modification of Comcast advertised services. The initial technician was sent by Comcast,
as were subsequent technicians who also provided unsatisfactory performance. This aspect of Comcast's
performance is certainly relevant to future negotiations.
Larry reports on the recent developments and the current status concerning the Brewster "G" (ie
government) channel becoming active. The portable "Anycast" system, which has received favorable
comments from the Board of Selectmen, needs to be accompanied by certain fixed equipment. The draft
proposed detailed list of the requirements and of the associated costs is on hand, supplied by Jim Tvrdik
who has had in his business aspect close involvement with the similar very recent development of the "G"
channel in Orleans. The draft list is some 3 pages in length.
The balance of the meeting is occupied by a close review of the details of this draft list and several
changes are suggested. A suitably modified list will be prepared by Jim.
The next meetine of the Brewster CTVAC will be at the reeular date & time to wit 7:00 nm nn Tues~lav 4
December 2007.
The meeting seems to be out of other business to be taken up tonight, and a motion to adjourn is made by
Walter Powers and seconded by acclamation. The motion is passed unanimously. The meeting is adjourned
at 8:50 pm.
Submitted by Norman Adams, Clerk, Brewster CTVAC
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