MILTON BROADBAND MONITORING COMMITTEE
Broadband Committee Members
Jonathan Brown, Chairman
Bernard J. Lynch, III
Paul J. Yovino, Secretary, Pro Tem
Peter Epstein, Esq. Counsel
A posted meeting of the Broadband Monitoring Committee took place in the Cronin Conference Room at Milton Town Hall on Thursday April 19, 2007 at 9 O'clock A.M.
In attendance were the following: Jonathan Brown, Chairman, BMC. Bernard J. Lynch, III, Paul J. Yovino Pro Tem, Secretary, Peter J. Epstein, Esq. Counsel to the Broadband Monitoring Committee and the Town of Milton and Gerry Buckley, Manager of Government and Community Relations - Southeastern MA Region for Comcast Cable.
Purpose
The purpose of the meeting with Gerry Buckley was to continue the negotiation of a new license with the Town of Milton and Comcast Cable.
M-PEG Access, Inc. Business Plan Review
The Broadband Monitoring Committee [ BMC] reviewed the M-PEG Access, Inc. business plan noting that M-PEG Access, Inc has received approval of that business plan from the Board of Selectman [ BOS] and its application for its IRS 501-C-3 non-profit application status.
A discussion followed regarding new studio space for M-PEG Access, Inc. including a satellite studio at Milton High School’s library and any possible use of old studio at the old high school. It was noted that although the I-net head-in is located at the old high school the studio space is no longer safe or appropriate for public access.
It was noted that the playback and cable cast was moved to Comcast’s Weymouth location after the old high school was closed.
Comcast’s Contractual Responsibilities
BMC Counsel noted that under the present contract it was still Comcast’s responsibility to produce 10 hours of community programming. It was also Comcast’s responsibility under the current contract to coordinate volunteers for all community programming and that Comcast’s Community Access Coordinator Comcast cannot not delegate that responsibility.
A discussion followed regarding additional “drop” connection outlets which Comcast is required to install under it current license agreement in Section 3.6c.
MCTV
A brief discussion followed regarding the history of MCTV.
Franchise Related Costs
BMC counsel and Comcast’s representative continued a discussion of the town’s RFP and Comcast’s Franchise Related Costs [ FRC].
BMC Counsel advised that at some point the BMC has to decide if Comcast’s 2. 25 % less fees proposal to fund community access programming under a new license agreement is meaningful. At some point, Counsel added that the town has to accept the responsibility that such a fee structure agreement is bound to fail noting that if public access television disappears Comcast will have to deal with the public’s displeasure. Counsel further noted that Comcast is negotiating in this manner across the country.
Future Negotiations
The discussion concluded with a proposal by BMC Counsel to talk on the phone with Comcast’s representative on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 to determine whether it would be appropriate to carry on further negotiations with Comcast or whether further negotiation regarding a new license agreement between the Town of Milton and Comcast was a waste of time.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00 AM
Respectfully submitted,
Paul Yovino, Secretary Pro Tem
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