Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Meeting
July 6, 2009
6:38 PM Chair Bonser opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Mary Bonser, Peter Bock, Gary Anderson
Guests: Frank Case, Brian Stucker (arrived at 6:45), Paul Comeau (arrived at 6:50 PM), all from the Cable Franchise Renewal Advisory Committee
Others: Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
The Selectmen discussed the State budget with State Rep. and Nottingham resident, Frank Case. They talked about the loss of revenues and downshifting of costs from the State to the counties and municipalities. Chair Bonser asked for clarification on the highway block grant funding. Mr. Case indicated that he believes Nottingham will receive $18K more than last year. Chair Bonser noted that Nottingham had received $110K last year. Mr. Case will follow up with his contacts in regards to stimulus money. Mr. Case inquired about tax collection. The Selectmen reported that collections are on target and there have been a few foreclosures.
The Selectmen discussed the installation progress of the generator at the Municipal Office Complex. Mr. Bock noted that everything is going well. Testing has been done. The generator will support operations at Town Hall, the Food Pantry, and the Police Department. Mr. Anderson informed the Selectmen that he has been involved in some discussion regarding the old wiring and replacement thereof. Chair Bonser noted that this issue had arisen in the past. The Selectmen need to consider this at budget time.
The Selectmen addressed the signature file signing Employee History forms for the Recreation Department and billing manifests.
Mr. Bock made a public announcement regarding the Farmer’s Market, which is held on the lawn of the Blaisdell Memorial Library on Sundays from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Mr. Bock publicly acknowledged Demmon’s Store’s 14th anniversary of the reading of the Declaration of Independence and free breakfast on July 4th. He and Chair Bonser estimate that there were over 125 people in attendance.
Mr. Anderson informed the Selectmen that the Building Committee is moving forward with salt shed activities. They are closer to making a decision on a contractor. Chair Bonser believes that the job needs to go out to bid once the Committee decides what type of a building they are going with. There are still a few details, such as paving, that need to be ironed out.
APPOINTMENTS:
7:00 PM – Cable Franchise Renewal Advisory Committee
At 7:00 PM Chair Bonser acknowledged the Committee and invited them to the mic.
Mr. Stucker took the mic and introduced himself as the Chair of the Committee. He submitted a copy of the updated policy from the Communications Policy Committee.
Mr. Stucker gave a brief update of Cable Franchise Renewal Advisory Committee (CFRAC) activities. The current cable contract, signed in 1990 with Continental Cablevision, expires July 2010. The committee has met twice. Mr. Somers, from Comcast, attended the last meeting, at which time the committee became aware that the renewal window has been open for the past two years. Mr. Stucker voiced concern at having only a year left to resolve the open issues from the current contract. Mr. Somers has stated that the issues can be addressed in the new contract; however, the committee feels that things fell through the cracks and they would like to have resolution before moving on. The Committee has obtained a copy of the contract Epping signed in 2008 and a boilerplate contract from Comcast.
Mr. Stucker explained that the Committee has been discussing the franchise fees. They would like a member of the Budget Committee to attend their next meeting. There was discussion about the franchise fees being part of the budget. The Cable Franchise Renewal Committee is considering omitting them in the future contract, as it has not turned out the way originally intended. The Cable Act of 1984 grants the Town authority to charge the fee to the cable company. Mr. Stucker reported that he has not been able to locate any rulings allowing the cable company to charge those fees to the customers; however, that is what has happened over the life of the current contract. Nottingham charges three percent, which amounted to approximately $35K last year. Mr. Stucker informed the Selectmen
that a percentage of the fees were supposed to be put back into public access. There was discussion around what other municipalities are doing. The Selectmen granted the Cable Franchise Renewal Advisory Committee authority to request Budget Committee presence at their next meeting on behalf of the Selectmen.
Mr. Stucker asked for a copy of the map that goes with the cable contract. The Committee plans to do outreach to see how many people and what areas are not being serviced. There is one large highlighted map in the file. A copy will be made and ready for pick up later in the week by Mr. Stucker. This information will provide data for some of the outstanding issues under the current contract. There was discussion around the contract expiration date, the benefits of a 36 month window vs. a 12-month window, and what kind of leverage a small town such as Nottingham may have in getting some of the issues resolved. Mr. Bock clarified for everyone that cable will not disappear in July 2010, if a new contract has not been signed. Business will carry on under the old contract until a
new one is in place.
Mr. Stucker reported that the Committee would like to have the Town’s attorney review the boilerplate contract for any discrepancies.
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to approve a brief (“not word for word”) review of the boilerplate contract provided by Comcast.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
There was more discussion around the franchise fees. Chair Bonser noted that if anything drastic was recommended, there would be a Town Meeting prior to the contract expiration, at which the public could decide. Mr. Bock noted that residents have voted in the past to have monies, such as the land use change tax, be designated for use other than the general fund.
Mr. Stucker informed the Selectmen that it would be helpful for the Committee to know where the permanent studio was going to be housed. The Selectmen will turn this over to the Building Committee for research and recommendation. There was discussion around some of the addendum’s Epping has with their contract. They were granted $12K for their equipment purchase and maintenance, similar to what Nottingham was granted 20 years ago. There was discussion around the equipment. Upgraded equipment is a top goal for the Committee. Comcast does not supply, sell or maintain the equipment but will provide referrals. There was discussion around finding someone to oversee the equipment maintenance; possibly a high school student can earn credit for this type of internship. There was
more discussion around studio space, coordination with the school, and unresolved issues under the current contract. The Committee will submit an article to the Nottingham Community Newsletter seeking the names of any residents who do not have cable. This information will be used to determine where service is lacking as opposed to not wanted. There was discussion of the Committee having a table at Nottingham Day and a suggestion box.
Chair Bonser inquired about the character generator used for maintaining Channel 22. Ms. Chauvey reported that it is currently up and running.
Mr. Stucker informed the Selectmen that Marc Vadeboncoeur, a member of the Raymond’s Community Television Committee, has donated a rack valued at approximately $600 to Nottingham for their future equipment. The Selectmen will send a note of thanks.
The next CFRAC meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 28 in Conference Room #2 at 7 PM.
Mr. Stucker thanked the Selectmen for their time and stepped down. The Cable Franchise Renewal Advisory Committee members left the meeting.
MINUTES
May 26, 2009 (Meeting)
Line 157: Change My to May
Line 209: Change letters to letter and remove the word two.
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to approve the minutes of the May 26, 2009 meeting as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
OTHER BUSINESS
Having no further business,
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
Approved as amended at the July 20, 2009 meeting.
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