Old Lyme Area Cable Advisory Council
October 17, 2018
369 West Road, Salem CT
Minutes
Present: Chair Peter Sielman (Salem), Pam Munro (Salem BOE), Brian Bowes (Lyme), Cathy Frank (Old Lyme); Comcast Government & Regulatory Affairs Manager Matt Skane, Public Access Coordinator Lynn Perry
Absent: Russ Gomes (Old Lyme; State Advisory Council rep), Michael Gilroy (East Haddam, Public Libraries rep)
Call to Order~
Chairman Peter Sielman called the meeting to order at 7:39pm. Peter said he has been in contact with the First Selectman in East Haddam about vacancies on the Council for East Haddam representatives from both the town and the school. Cathy said the Superintendent of Schools for Lyme/Old Lyme is also aware of the vacancy for a schools representative and has been told the representative does not need to be a school board member.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Pam Munro, seconded by Peter Sielman, to approve the minutes of the July 2018 meeting. Motion passed.
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Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Brian Bowes reported a combined balance of $13,047.91 in the checking and money market accounts ($12,006.61 in money market plus $1,040.30 in checking). Brian intends to investigate switching accounts to Fidelity before the next meeting to earn a better interest rate.
New Business
- Statewide Video Council Report
Russ Gomes absent; no report
Matt Skane announced Comcast’s campaign to promote cybersecurity through www.Connectsafely.org. October is Cybersecurity Month.
Comcast continues to offer Internet Essentials to assist low income students/families. Program eligibility has been expanded to include low income veterans. Information about the program is available at www.InternetEssentials.com.
Peter asked Matt if more subscribers are watching programs online instead of through cable. Matt said the numbers shift from month to month and added that Comcast is offering increased
flexibility in its packages. Matt confirmed that the programming expense for cable companies (i.e. contracting with program providers like ESPN) is massive.
Lynn Perry~reported that she is working with both the Lymes’ Senior Center and the Old Lyme PGN Library on Public Access programming. Bill stuffers with info on public access opportunities were included with summer Comcast bills.
Lynn will send Cathy the text from those bill stuffers for possible inclusion in Old Lyme’s town newsletter.
Old Lyme’s Public Access studio now has virtual sets that can be used in studio tapings. Lynn is willing to visit organizations/schools to assist them with providing public access programs.
- Correspondence (Irene Shedlosky)
Correspondence from an Old Lyme resident about a channel programming error was received over the summer. Peter referred the issue to Matt, but the issue was resolved by Comcast before he needed to get involved.
- Set 2019 Meeting Dates & Locations
2019 Old Lyme Area Cable Advisory meetings will take place quarterly on the 3rd Wednesday as follows:
January 16 Lyme Public Library
April 17 Old Lyme Public Access Studio on Halls Road
July 17 East Haddam (to be determined)
October 16 369 West Road (home of chair Peter Sielman)
All meetings will begin at 7:30pm
- Grant Request from Old Lyme Historical Society
Cathy distributed a grant request for Public Access equipment received from the OL Historical Society. $2200 was requested for equipment, including: laptop/computer, projector, camcorder and tripod, digital converter, projector screen, and wireless mike system.
Members discussed the request and agreed to support the purchase of equipment needed specifically for public access only.
Cathy made a motion, seconded by Pam, to approve a reimbursable grant of $1500 for a video recorder and tripod, digital converter, and microphone system. Motion passed.
Cathy will notify the OLHSI that the grant funding has been authorized to subsidize capital and equipment costs related to producing public access programming only, and specify the equipment the grant can cover; the OLSHI must submit receipts to the Old Lyme Area Cable Advisory Council for reimbursement, and must schedule public access programming to air on the local Public Access Channel by the end of 2019. The Council would like to receive feedback from the OLHSI within 3 months of reimbursement.
- Draft Letter to Comcast re: Assistance for Seniors
Members continued to explore the possibility of asking Comcast to initiate a cable package priced for low income seniors. Cathy will share a draft letter with Advisory Council members and Matt Skane. The Council will revisit the topic at their January meeting.
Old Business
Pam Munro has sent 2019 scholarship information and applications to the four public high schools in our Council area. She has also contacted prior recipients with the 2019 applications.
The deadline for receipt of applications is March 31. Decisions on the 2019 scholarship will be made at the April 2019 Advisory Council meeting.
Other
None
Public Comment
None
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 8:40pm made by Cathy.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 16, 7:30 pm at the Lyme Public Library.
Catherine Frank
10/22/18
Old Lyme Area Cable Advisory Council 2019 Meeting Dates
January 16 Lyme Public Library
April 17 Old Lyme Public Access Studio on Halls Road
July 17 East Haddam (to be determined)
October 16 369 West Road (home of chair Peter Sielman)
All meetings will begin at 7:30pm
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