HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020-01-14 CATV APPOINTEESCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND SCHOOL SYSTEM MATTERS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019, 5:45 P.M.
TOWN COUNCIL OFFICE
Present were Councilor Susan Falkoff, chair, Councilor Anthony Donato, vice -chair, Councilor
Caroline Bays, secretary
Councilor Falkoff called the meeting to order a 5:45 pm.
The purpose of the meeting was to interview candidates for appointment or reappointment to
the Board of Directors of the Cable Access Corporation
Our first interview was with Ninos Hanna for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Cable
Access Corporation for a term to expire on September 15, 2022. Mr. Hanna explained that he
wanted to join the WCATV Board because he wanted to give back to the community and he has
prior experience in theater and film which include producing and starring in his own show. As a
communication professional he felt his experience would be helpful to the board.
We Interviewed John M. Airasian for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Cable
Access Corporation for a term to expire on September 15, 2022. Mr. Airasian has been on the
board for three terms and is the current President. As a businessperson, he has experience
managing employees and that has helped in his role on the Board. He said the current director
has done a wonderful job and he was instrumental in her appointment. As President of the
Board, he acts as a liaison between the director and the board.
We Interviewed Christopher McKenzie for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Cable
Access Corporation for a term to expire on September 15, 2021. Mr. McKenzie has been on the
board since 2016. He said the board works well together and is in general agreement about the
decisions and plans for the future which is critical since their financial future is uncertain
because subscriptions to Cable are down and the FCC has indicated they will possibly reduce
funds to local Cable. As a professor in the area of digital film & video production, Mr. McKenzie
is excited about the educational mission of Watertown's Cable Access. He wanted to be on the
Board because, not only is his professional experience relevant but he strongly believes in the
mission of local cable.
We Interviewed Laurie McManus for her appointment to the Board of Directors of the Cable
Access Corporation for a term to expire on September 15, 2021 6. 6:45 pm. Ms. McManus felt
her experience as a former school board member will help the board as they deal with the
changes and dislocation that will happen when the high school is rebuilt and possibly relocated.
She has already been attending the meetings in order to take minutes since the secretary is out
on paternity leave. She was on the board before.
The committee made a motion to recommend that the full town council confirm the appointment
of Ninos Hanna to the Board of Directors of the Cable Access Corporation for a term to expire
on September 15, 2022. The motion passed 3-0.
The committee made a motion to recommend that the full town council confirm the
reappointment John M. Airasian to the Board of Directors of the Cable Access Corporation for a
term to expire on September 15, 2022. The motion passed 3-0.
The committee made a motion to recommend that the full town council confirm the
reappointment of Christopher McKenzie to the Board of Directors of the Cable Access
Corporation for a term to expire on September 15, 2021. The motion passed 3-0.
The committee made a motion to recommend that the full town council confirm the appointment
of Laurie McManus to the Board of Directors of the Cable Access Corporation for a term to
expire on September 15, 2021. The motion passed 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:52
Minutes prepared by Caroline Bays