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Rutland Cable Advisory Committee
May 21, 2014 - 6:30 PM
Present: Paul Mattson, Addison Redfield, Kathy Clark, Ray Becker, & Brenda Savoie
The meeting opened at 6:35 p.m.
Minutes
Minutes were not available; agreed to table until the next meeting.
Bills & Accounts
Account updates were not available; agreed to table until the next meeting.
Old Business
Charter Talking Points:
Paul provided a list of items for discussion on which to request as part of the contract renewal:
- Cable output for Glenwood and Naquag schools and the library.
- A total of 9 basic cable boxes free for town buildings, public safety building, library, and senior center.
- Dedicated internet service/cable drop to allow Wi-Fi to the library at no charge & for the new cable studio.
- A 3% charge on monthly billing to be provided back to the CAC
- $300,000 for the first five years of contract & $100,000 for the last five years, or if number is too high, ask for $200,000 for the first five and $200,000 for the last five years.
- $5.00 discount per month for seniors
- Volume Max
- DVR break on channel 11
New Business
Tom Cohan from Charter Re: Charter Contract Renewal
Tom Cohen from Charter was present for the discussion. He informed the Committee that Charter is vacating the current Cable Studio on Campbell St. in September. Contingent upon approval of the Comcast-Time Warner deal, the plan is to move into the former Sam’s Club building. Charter will become Comcast in Massachusetts at that time
Paul requested the following items as previously agreed upon by the committee as part of the Cable License Renewal:
- Charter will provide cable lines in and out of Glenwood, Naquag, & the library.
- Charter will bring fiber optics to the schools and will provide transmitters. Channel 13 will transmit from Holden with the option to transmit from Glenwood.
- Channels 11 & 12 will originate from the new studio. Charter will bring fiber for live transmittal from Glenwood.
- A survey will be conducted for fiber for the library and they will have access to channel 11 & 12.
- Tom will check on the dedicated line for the Wi-Fi for the library. It cannot be provided free of charge due to Telecommunications regulations.
- One free cable box will be provided for each town buildings; the switch over to digital beings in September and is expected to be complete by November.
- The new studio will be also receive fiber optics, 2 channels and a box.
- The committee agreed to request 3% of the gross bill amount, which results in an estimated $62,000 per year at the current subscription rates. Tom agreed.
- The committee requested a 10 year contract and capital grant in the amount of $300,000 for the first 5 years and $100,000 in the last 5. Tom said that number is way too high and cannot be considered.
- After Tom left the room, the Committee discussed further and agreed to request a $200,000 capital grant up front.
Addison moved to propose a $200,000 capital grant up front, and a fee of 3%, with a 10 year contract term. Ray seconded. All in favor 5/0.
Tom returned to the room and Paul proposed $200,000 capital grant up front and a fee of 3% fee for a 10 year contract term. Tom said that should work. If all goes through, we should receive payment within 60 days of signing the contract.
- Tom pointed out that a senior discount of 10% off basic is the standard in every town and cannot be higher.
- Paul asked if something could be done for Channel 11 volume fluctuations. Tom noted the focus needs to be on microphone and only one person speaking at a time. It was agreed that the new studio will resolve this issue.
- Tom will check to determine if there is a way allow for a DVR break on Channel 11, to prevent continues recording.
The committee thanked Tom. The next step will be for him to send an updated agreement with the numbers as disused. We will also receive the results from the survey study.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. All were in favor. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Savoie
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