Town of Newton
Newton Cable Committee
PO Box 378 Newton, NH 03858
MINUTES
November 3, 2014
Call to Order: 4:03pm
Roll Call: Mary Winglass, Chair, Public Relations/Programmer; Sally Woodman, Secretary; Diane Morin, Station Manager; Marilyn Landry, Vice Chair, Chris Laquori, Consultant
Minutes from Previous Meeting of October 20, 2014: Marilyn motioned to accept the October minutes as written. Mary seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Budget:
- As of October 28 we have $729.00 in our working budget. It was decided that we needed to cut our consultant hours, station manager’s hours, as well as our operator’s hours to stay within budget. Therefore we will not tape the BOS meeting on Monday, November 10th. Diane will notify the operators and the PB. We will look at how many meetings can be televised in the month of December after the figures for November are in.
Correspondence and Communications: None
Review Programing Scheduling:
- The programming will be adjusted as needed for December.
Upcoming Events:
Unfinished Business:
- New Purchases: microphones, cables and batteries: Mary approached the BOS because there was an immediate need for regular batteries. Mary asked for no more than $100.00 and the actual cost for those items was $68.97.
In order to use the wireless microphones with our current system, we needed 12 XLR cables. Mary approached the BOS with the request and they approved the purchase of the cables for a total cost of $135.12. Both purchases were paid out of the Cable Revolving Fund. Prior to making both purchases, the committee agreed to move forward to complete to the installation of the wireless microphones.
- Review option for rechargeable batteries: Chris researched using rechargeable batteries for the new wireless microphones. His recommendation was to purchase 4 kits. Each kit includes 8 batteries and a charger at a cost of $54.95 per kit. A requisition to purchase the batteries and chargers will be were made rechargeable batteries and a rapid charge kit for $219.80.
Mary motioned to recommend to the BOS that we purchase 4 rechargeable kits that will include 4 chargers and 32 rechargeable batteries for a total cost of $219.80. Diane seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
- 2014 year to date expenditures: The committee discussed the expenditures for 2014 and the reasons for them. We have followed the advice of our consultant and are satisfy with the progress we have made thus far. We know we need a major upgrade which will cost $63,000. Considering this cost we obviously do not want to jump into this without professional guidance from a consultant.
- Our consultant, Chris Liquori, joined us in the meeting. Mary explained our financial situation. She said we wanted to extend his consulting services but would not be able to have him on the payroll until next year. Chris said he understood. Mary also said that due to the huge expenditure we would like to sit down with Chris and Bill to fully explore all possibilities and to make an educated decision. Diane worked with Bill to choose a program to fit our needs. Diane feels Bill should be included in the consultation for our next move. A discussion ensued concerning how we would go about hiring a company to do the upgrade work. Chris shared his experience dealing with several companies. The committee settled on the steps needed. Diane will write up a report to be sent to the BOS prior to
meeting with them. This will include the reasons for staying with the vendor Chris and Diane have been working with. If the BOS is agreeable we will then move forward with Chris getting comparable quotes from other companies. Mary asked Diane if she would join her when she presented the ideas to the BOS. Diane agreed.
New Business:
- Possible solution for interruption of background music for Channel: Diane has tried several solutions to fix this problem. The software on the computer keeps asking for verification to see if the user is still listening. Diane has set up the music using the receiver we have.
- Quote for new equipment review: We have received a communication from the vendor that makes the Nexus equipment wanting to know if we would like to upgrade. The committee reviewed the options for the upgrade. We will further review the options to ensure we meet the town needs.
Other:
- Station Manager’s Evaluation: Diane was satisfied with her review.
James Paone’s evaluation is due. Diane will fill in the form and have it ready for the next meeting. Sally will make create a matrix containing each employee’s date for evaluations.
Mary went over how the tables should be set up for each BOS meeting and asked that we go over the arrangement with each operator. She also requested that an extension cord be left out so that she can plug the laptop in. Diane will review the set up procedures with the staff.
Chris informed the committee that he may be unavailable for some time at the end of the year.
Next Cable Committee meeting: Monday December 8, 2014 at 7:00pm.
Adjournment: 5:05pm
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
Posted on oo/oo/14 at the Newton Town Hall and on the Official Town Website www.newton-nh.gov
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