CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Meeting Number 198
November 14, 2007
HCTV Studio
800 Main Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Hugo, Hank Ouellette, Larry Popple, Patt Popple,
Duffy Tilson, Ginny Ursin
ALSO PRESENT: Johnny Suire, Public Access Director
The Minutes of Meeting #197, June 28, 2007 were accepted.
Public Access Assistant: Chris Reese has resigned to accept a full time position with NESN. Johnny expressed his appreciation for Chris' work and the committee congratulates him on his new job. Johnny introduced his new assistant, Eric McKeon. Eric interned with us when he was a student at Worcester State College so he is already off and running with the new job. The committee warmly welcomed Eric.
Control Room/Studio Upgrade: The upgrade is almost complete. All equipment has been received and installed. There are some software problems which should be resolved soon. The upgrade was done by AdTech under a state blanket contract with 50% down and the remainder to be paid upon completion. The window between the control room and the studio was also installed (by Holden DPW). An open house will be held after the first of the year to show off our wonderful new equipment.
Local Access Producer Age Restriction: There was a discussion about what age was appropriate for people to use access equipment-especially the new equipment. It was moved and voted unanimously to allow anyone 18 years of age and up connected with the Town of Holden (resident, business owner, tax payer, town employee, WRSD Student and employee, employee of Holden businesses, etc) to be eligible to be certified by the Public Access Director to use access equipment. Further, those under 18 years old may also be eligible at the discretion of the Public Access Director.
CATV Study: Tom Josie has been hired by the Light Department to study the feasibility of the Light Department providing cable TV in the town. Mr. Josie is the manager of the Shrewsbury Light Department which also operates cable TV there. Mr. Josie has 20 years experience with municipally run cable TV and is an ideal person to consult on this study. His report should be finished by the end of this year.
Cable Legislation Update: The state legislature held a hearing at the beginning of the summer re the Verizon bill. There was overwhelming public response in opposing the bill, and it was shelved for the present. However, we can expect it to be brought back up at a later date.
Charter License Renewal: Negotiations have not yet started on renewing the current contract which expires in March, 2009. It appears that Bob Spain is no longer with the company. After the first of the year, Larry will contact Bill Adrian of Charter to get things rolling.
Field Trip: Larry has spoken to Mr. Josie re the committee visiting Shrewsbury Public Access Studio, and he was very agreeable. We will set it up for the beginning of next year.
Johnny's Miscellaneous:
a. Audio Problem: Johnny reported receiving several complaints about audio static on the cable system early in the summer. He contacted Bob Spain and no more complaints have been received.
b. Surplus Equipment: Some of the equipment removed from the studio/control room is still usable or would be with repair. Johnny will talk to Tim Ethier at the high school to see if they are interested in any of it and if they have funds to make any needed repairs.
c. On the Road: The 16th program is in production!
d. Holden Days: The trolley was a great success. It ran smoothly (except for being a little late arriving) and was appreciated by all.
e. Worcester State College Intern Fair: This was the best turnout yet with 3 or 4 good prospects out of 7 or so that dropped by. Johnny will try to line up 1 or more for the spring.
Editing Suites: Now that the control room equipment upgrade is finished, Johnny wants to remodel that area to accommodate another edit suite. This would be done by removing the storage room wall next to the current edit suite. He would also like to reconfigure the entrance hallway so that it did not go directly into the control room console. Moved and voted unanimously to approve the concept of remodeling as stated above with final approval pending a cost estimate. Johnny will approach Holden DPW about doing the work.
Since Johnny will be out of town for the next Selectmen's Meeting, Chris Reese has agreed to fill in for Johnny at that meeting. The committee endorsed paying Chris a flat $100.00 for this service.
Next Meeting: Tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 9, 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Popple
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