HomeMy Public PortalAboutCable Television Advisory -- 2014-10-16 Minutes Brewster Cable TV Advisory Committee
Minutes of the Thursday Oct.16,2014 meeting = - --
5:00 pm in Meeting Room B, Brewster Town Hall
This regular meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Larry Greeley,Chair. _ _
Members present: Zeb Barker,Larry Greeley,Janet Husband,Jim Kane and Walter Powers.
Non-members present: Video Services Coordinator James Paul Ludwig.
The draft Minutes of the July 30,2014(previously emailed to all committee members)was accepted by vote: 5
yes, 0 no,0 abstentions. Janet distributed copies of the July 16,2014 meeting Minutes.
Larry distributed charts from LCCAT showing that 2014 Comcast revenue exceeded expectations by about 4%
over revenue for 2013. Larry reported on the long and productive meeting with Tom Conrad, Nauset HS
principal and new LCAT Executive Director Theresa Martin,outlining who is responsible for what,etc. LCCAT is
proposing to donate the video equipment in the second floor studio to the school.
Town Administrator Charles Sumner joined the meeting and discussion of Brewster's I-net began. Charles and
Lisa Souve,Finance officer,estimate that the next step in connecting to the regional Open Cape network's
drops—we have two,one at the library and one at the police station—will cost about$161,000.The plan is to
extend fiber cable to all town buildings except the water department(they can cover their costs through
departmental revenue)and the golf course. With present funds in the cable TV account and$146,000
transferred at Town meeting,there should be enough to proceed on this project. Janet moved and Zeb
seconded the motion to approve the following fall town meeting warrant articles: the transfer of$149,764 from
special revenue to the cable account(Art.4)and the appropriation of$161,358 from the cable TV fund for capital
funding to implementing the town's local area network. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
Larry and Attorney Bill Solomon have finalized the wording of new 3-year contract with LCCAT. Larry
commented that Brewster's contract is the only town contract with LCCAT to retain the provision for a
Performance Review by Third Parry. Janet moved and Zeb seconded the motion to approve and recommend to
the Selectmen this final draft of the Agreement By and Between the Town of Brewster and Lower Cape
Community Access Television, Inc. Vote: 5 yes,0 no, 0 abstentions.
Next,the BCTVAC members reviewed the draft RFP for the Coordinator of BGTV. James Paul has decided not to
become a town employee and wishes to renew his contract as a consultant. Committee members suggested no
changes. Larry and Zeb will participate in the review of proposals received.
Other news regarding LCCAT: Zeb has been reviewing software for inventory control of operations,especially
the borrowing and checking of field equipment. Larry and the new Executive Director plan to appear before the
Selectmen of all five LCAT towns at least twice per year.
Walter raised the issue of the seeming prevalence of Provincetown programs running over Channel 99.
Discussion followed. Hopefully LCAT's program producers will become so prolific that there will be little air time
left for bicycled programs.
James Paul reported on his two current projects. The Camera Company(Gary Pink)was the winning bidder on
upgrading Tightrope ($12,875). The Camera Company was also the winning bidder on the new Sony Anycast
system by virtue of including training and a warrantee.
Jim Kane asked about the situation with Channel 98. Larry offered his opinion that a power struggle between
administers might be delaying progress. Larry will compose a letter regarding this unfortunate impediment to
progress.
The next regular meeting of the committee will be Thurs, Nov. 13 at 5:30 pm.
Janet moved and Walter seconded a motion to adjourn. Vote:5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:43 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Janet Husband,Clerk