Old Lyme Area Cable Advisory Council
14 April 2011, 7:30pm
Nathan Hale-Ray High School Library (2nd floor)
Minutes
~
Chair Peter Sielman called the meeting to order at 7:35pm. Members in attendance were: Sue McKinlay, Russ Gomes, Pam Munro, Tim Devlin, Cathy Frank; John Bairos from Comcast. Robin Purcell was unable to attend due to illness.
~
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Pam Munro, seconded by Russ Gomes to approve the minutes of January 13, 2011. Motion passed.
~
Treasurer’s Report
Robin Purcell submitted a March report (attached) which was distributed at the meeting.
A motion was made by Russ Gomes, seconded by Pam Munro to accept the report. Motion passed.
Statewide Video Council
Peter said that February & March meetings had been postponed due to bad weather and a late April meeting has been scheduled. The current chair is stepping down & Peter is willing to step in as chair if the Statewide Council will work towards accomplishing something. The sole accomplishment of the previous two years has been the Council’s Mission Statement.
Peter referred to the DPUC’s draft decision to require AT&T to distribute escrowed access funds to the Cable Advisory Councils. Members agreed it would be premature for our Council to address the topic before the DPUC has finalized its decision.
Comcast Report
John Bairos shared a Cyber Safety Challenge document prepared by Comcast for use with children age 5 to 9. Comcast has partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and has videos available via Videos on Demand.
Their three-phase digital network enhancement project should be completed this summer. Free digital adapters are available for customers with additional television sets.
John will arrange for a technician to contact Sue McKinlay at Hale-Ray to assist with enhancement at the school.
Sue recounted an acquaintance’s unsatisfactory customer service experience with the 800 Comcast phone #. Due to an accident on the street in front of their home, the customer was without cable for over a week. John explained that the poles are owned by AT&T or CL&P and Comcast cannot take action before receiving notification from AT&T or CL&P. Other members also commented on poor customer service experiences using the 800 phone number.
Lynn Perry, Public Access Coordinator at the Old Lyme studio, is planning an Open House in late summer. It was suggested that she schedule a date soon so that the information can be included in towns’ summer newsletter.
Old Business
Public Access Promotion – tabled to July meeting
Tim Devlin has some ideas about a promotional video/public service announcement but would like an opportunity to discuss ideas with Lynn Perry.
New Business
Scholarship Program 2010-2011
Pam Munro presented a summary of the three scholarship applications received (two from Lyme/Old Lyme High School, one from Haddam-Killingworth High School) along with a recommendation from the Scholarship Committee (Pam & Cathy Frank). A motion was made by Russ Gomes, seconded by Tim Devlin to endorse the committee’s recommendation to award $1,000 to the applicant from H-K and $500 each to the students from L-OL. Motion passed. Cathy will prepare award letters for the students and submit them to the high schools. She will request photos of the students that will be submitted with press releases about the awards in June (after the awards are presented).
Municipal Grant Program 2010-2011
A grant application has submitted by Regional School District 18 via Ralph Eno, First Selectman of Lyme. Members supported the activity identified in the application: better quality of recorded Board of Education meetings, several members expressed concern at the cost estimates listed for microphones and mixers. Both Peter and Sue have purchased similar equipment for similar purposes and their cost was at least 50% less.
A motion was made by Cathy, seconded by Sue, that Cathy will contact the School District indicating that the Council supports their endeavor but is concerned about cost.
We will suggest that the School District contact Council member Tim Devlin who can help them select appropriate equipment that will also be cost-efficient. Motion passed.
Other
Sue McKinlay led Council members & John Bairos on a tour of the public access studio in Hale-Ray High School.
~
Upon a motion made by Pam Munro, meeting adjourned at 9:15pm.
~
Cathy Frank
18 April 2011
~
~
2011 Meeting Schedule
Meetings take place at 7:30pm unless otherwise indicated.
January 13, Old Lyme Town Hall
April 14, Nathan Hale-Ray High School, East Haddam Public Access Studio
July 14, Lyme Town Hall
October 13, Salem Town Offices
~
| 
