Old Lyme Area Cable Advisory Council
19 October 2010, 7:30pm
Salem Town Offices, Room # 2
Minutes
Members Attending: Peter Sielman, Pam Munro, Robin Purcell, Russ Gomes, Cathy Frank; John Bairos
Visitors attending: from East Haddam - Mark Walter, First Selectman, and Scott McKenna
Chair Peter Sielman called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
Approval of Minutes
Because there was not a quorum at the July 8 2010 meeting, approval of the minutes was not required.
Introductions
East Haddam First Selectman Mark Walter attended in response to requests from Chair Peter Sielman to appoint an East Haddam representative to the Council. Scott McKenna is a former member and chair of the Advisory Council from East Haddam.
Treasurer’s Report
Robin Purcell distributed a report as of September 2010 (attached). Balance in Council accounts is $19,064.77. Robin also read a thank you note she had received from one of the Council’s four high school scholarship awardees: Sarah Briscoe. A motion was made by Cathy, seconded by Russ to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion passed.
Chairman’s Report
Peter briefly explained for visitors the grant & scholarship programs initiated by the Advisory Council in the past year.
He stated he is seeking guidance from the Advisory Council on the role of the Statewide Video Council, which has been meeting quarterly in Meriden. Largely due to Peter’s efforts, a mission statement has now been formally approved.
A Statewide Council representative from Litchfield, Stephen Synamon, submitted a summary of items he believes should be addressed by the Statewide Council.
Peter reviewed the list and members agreed that choosing one or two items from the list would likely have more impact. Peter suggested that picture quality be the priority.
John Bairos interjected that cable providers are subject to both statutory regulations by the DPUC and FCC guidelines which include quality standards.
The Litchfield list is attached, as are Peter’s recommendations. Old Lyme Area Council members are asked to email Peter with their three top suggested priorities for the Statewide Council.
Comcast Report
John Bairos reported that information on Comcast’s Leaders and Achievers Scholarship program has been provided to Guidance Departments in high schools throughout the state. Last year 30 Comcast scholarships were awarded in Connecticut. A flyer on the scholarship program is attached. He also reviewed some recent changes:
- Rates have been lowered for basic cable subscribers
- Old Lyme Studio hours have changed to Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am to 5pm and Wednesdays 12 noon to 9:30pm. Lynn Perry is access coordinator again in Old Lyme, although she is not available on Tuesday or Thursday evenings to attend Council meetings. Hans Hartman is now assigned to Middletown and another area. John will ask Lynn for a report on the use of the Old Lyme studio for public access programming.
- Contracts for public access producers have been modified. A summary of changes is attached.
John repeated information about seasonal cable subscriptions (attached) and clarified that AT&T, which entered the provider market in 2007, is regulated differently from cable by the DPUC.
Scholarship & Municipal Grant Program 2010-2011
Members discussed the scholarship program. A motion was made by Cathy, seconded by Russ, to continue it for another year as is, subject to possible edits to be suggested by Sue McKinlay/other members & agreed upon by Council members via e-mail. Motion passed. The scholarship information must be submitted to High School Guidance departments asap before the end of the year.
Members indicated they would like to receive updates from students who have received scholarships. Cathy will contact the four current awardees and ask that they keep in touch. Other ideas for future consideration include offering the scholarship to college sophomores.
A motion was made by Russ, seconded by Peter to extend the municipal grant program through 2011. Two $3,000 grants were awarded in 2009 to the Towns of Salem and Old Lyme. Motion passed.
Set 2011 Meeting Schedule & Location
Next meetings:
January 13, East Haddam
April 14, Old Lyme
July 14, Lyme
October 13, Salem
A motion was made by Cathy to adjourn at 9pm.
Cathy Frank
25 October 2010
| 
