CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
MEETING NUMBER 199
HCTV Studio January 9, 2008
800 Main Street 7:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Hugo, Hank Ouellette, Larry Popple, Patt Popple, Duffy Tilson, Ginny Ursin.
ALSO PRESENT: Johnny Suire, Public Access Director
1. The recent passing of James Lehans, one of our access producers, was sadly noted.
2. The Minutes of Meeting #198, November 14, 2007 were accepted.
3. Control Room/Studio Upgrade: The upgrade is 99% complete. A few minor items such as side panels for the control room are yet to be received. When all items are received, final payment will be made to AdTech. Now that the control room is in a fully functional state, studio productions can resume. Faces & Places and HPD Beat should be starting up soon. On the Road is now producing new shows. A new show on senior issues is also planned.
4. Editing Suites Remodeling: Sonitrol will be moving the alarm control box so that the wall between the entry way and the store room can be removed and an editing suite added as was agreed to at our last meeting. Charter may also have to move a cable. Holden DPW has agreed to do the wall removal and remodeling. The door from the entry way into the control room will be left in place and permanently locked. A 4” header will be left from the current wall between the store room and the control room to avoid having to make alterations to the hung ceiling.
5. Surplus Equipment: AdTech will evaluate the equipment replaced by the studio/control room upgrade to determine if is suitable for reuse at WRHS. Tim Ethier has expressed interest in the surplus equipment. Johnny noted that it may be necessary repair or add to this equipment to make it fully functional for the high school.
6. Johnny’s Miscellaneous:
a. Training Classes: Johnny will be advertising training classes for old and new local access producers for the new equipment. Since the same software (Broadcast Pix) and equipment is installed at Memorial Hall, the Senior Center and the Studio, training will apply to all permanent Holden access sites.
b. Intern: Tomorrow Johnny is interviewing a possible new intern, a senior at West Boylston High School, If selected he will be interning 7.5 hours per week until the end of May.
c. Repair: The 2 small Canon GL2 field cameras and some other equipment have gone to the Camera Co. for repair. The larger Sony camera will be available for field shoots in the meantime.
d. New Programs now showing: the final WRHS construction tour; Animal Lovers #2; Flag Football; Jr Football; Sr Football.
e. Eric McKeon: Eric has filled in nicely to the part time position formally held by Chris Reese. He is programming the bulletin boards and programming replay. He will be directing the selectmens meetings and assisting on Faces & Places and HPD Beat.
f. 800 Main St Open House; Johnny kept the studio open for the Pink Building merchants’ open house on Dec. 1st.
g. Town Report: Our report for the annual town report is due by Feb 14th. Johnny will be working on it, and submit it at our next meeting.
7. First Amendment: The Town Manager received a complaint from a Holden resident concerning a program airing on Channel 13, the educational access channel. The complaint was forwarded to Johnny who responded that program content cannot be censored as it is an expression of First Amendment rights. The only exception is for obscene material (as determined by contemporary community standards). Obscene material is prohibited from airing by the FCC. This program was received from the drama department at WRHS. More FCC information is available at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html
8. CATV Study: The recently completed Broadband System Feasibility Study commissioned by the Holden Light Department was discussed. The report concludes “that although the design construction and operation of a … system is possible for Holden, there are significant financial risks.” The report is being forward to the Selectmen.
9. FY 2009 Budget: Johnny presented the FY2009 budget which was reviewed and approved by the committee.
10. Helen Harding: Helen has suffered a fall and is now at the Trinity Nursing Home (near Sam’s Club). Helen’s daughter Nola says Helen welcomes visitors.
11. Field Trip: Chris will contact Tom Josie from Shrewsbury re visiting their public access facilities.
12. Congrats to Johnny who received his 5 year pin at the Selectmens recognition meeting in December.
13. Next Meeting: Tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 13, 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Popple
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