Minutes of the Wednesday, March 23, 2005 PEG Advisory Committee Meeting
Members Present: Andy Dunn
Len Golder
Ed Newman
Ross Perry
Also Present: Anne VanTine, PEG Coordinator
Lew Halprin
Beth Zeranski
The meeting was called to order at 7:36PM at the Stow Town Building
Those present discussed the following:
Resident Beth Zeranski introduced herself to the committee. Zeranski volunteered to assist the committee with evaluating editing solutions such as those offered by Avid Technology and Pinnacle Systems. Zeranski advised the committee that Avid offers a free copy of editing software and that this may be a serve as an initial editing solution. Further, Avid is in the process of acquiring Pinnacle, a company which provides editing software for the consumer market. Zeranski recommended purchasing a standalone PC for video editing.
Zeranski left the meeting.
Draft minutes from the February 17, 2005 meeting were reviewed and returned to Evdokimoff for revisions.
VanTine advised the committee that Stow resident Dan Hnatio of Active Communications, who used his professional quality recording equipment to record the most recent Sounds of Stow concert, has offered to assist with recording this year’s annual town meeting. Also, Sam DeLuca has volunteered to run a camera at the town meeting. The committee discussed options available to record this year’s annual town meeting.
Golder arrived at 8:45.
Halprin requested that the committee consider another option for recording events at the Hale auditorium. He has researched fixed wireless cameras offered by X-10 and suggested a thirty day test to confirm the quality of the proposed solution.
On motion by Dunn, seconded by Perry, that up to two hundred dollars is allocated for purchase of the X-10 three camera package to be used for a thirty day test period, using a three camera test at the Hale school. If PEG is not satisfied with the test results, the equipment will be returned. The motion was unanimously approved.
Halprin indicated that he would be available to setup the audio and video equipment for the town meeting, but prefers not to be involved in the actual recording. Halprin will speak with Jerry Horne regarding his availability to assist with the audio system at the town meting.
VanTine advised the committee that the current configuration of three tape decks was a limiting factor in number of VCR tapes that could be included in the schedule. She recommended that the committee acquire two additional Panasonic AG-1350 VCR and Leightronix interfaces.
On motion by Perry, seconded by Dunn, that up to nine hundred and fifty dollars ($950.00) be allocated to purchase and install two additional VCRs, including accessories, was unanimously approved.
Dunn summarized three options for recording this year’s town meeting:
1. Use Dan Hnatio, provided he and his equipment can be available for all sessions of the town meeting,
2. If Hnatio is unavailable and if Halprin’s test of the X10 equipment is successful, use the X10 equipment, and
3. Use a single camera to record the meeting as Halprin has done in the past.
On motion by Dunn, seconded by Perry, that PEG accept responsibility to provide a single camera and operator to capture the 2005 annual town meeting and to project the meeting into the gymnasium overflow area, was unanimously approved
Dunn advised the committee that PEG was not agreeing to assume responsibility for the audio portion of the recording. The audio system is not under PEGs control.
Perry will advise the selectmen of PEGs willingness to assume responsibility for recording this years meeting.
VanTine advised the committee that the Sony digital video camera, model DSR-PDX-10, with S/N 1322066, has been received. The camera was acquired from Rule Broadcast after receiving higher price quotations from a) B&H Photo, b) Price Grabbers web site’s survey of nine equipment sellers, and c) Newtonville Camera. VanTine and Dunn will identify additional accessory items required to use with the camera, i.e. carrying case, tripod, battery pack, supplies, etc. and report back to the committee with a list of recommended items and price estimate.
On motion by Perry, seconded by Golder, that after receiving two bids which were opened on March 3, 2005, that the PEG Committee select Great Northern Video (“GNV”) as its supplier of equipment and installation services for the Warren Room, for the following reasons:
1. Better price proposal,
2. Better warranty terms,
3. Offered a more flexible service offering,
4. Designed their solution to install within our limited space requirements,
5. More experience with municipal government requirements, and
6. Best satisfied the requirements stated in our bid request.
was approved, with three votes in the affirmative and Dunn abstaining from voting.
VanTine was asked to work with GNV to discuss the final equipment recommendation, including the type of microphones (ceiling or table), type of monitors, and use and benefit of a portable rack. VanTine was also asked to have GNV provide desk and ceiling microphones with appropriate mounting to be suspended from the Warren Room ceiling. Perry wishes to have the Selectmen see these options at an upcoming meeting.
Perry reported that a letter authorizing content from the Bolton PEG channel 10 being cablecast into Stow was signed last week by the Bolton selectmen, but has not been received.
VanTine suggested that the current process of accepting only hardcopy Bulletin Board Announcement Forms required reentry of content into the bulletin board application. This process is cumbersome. VanTine proposed placing a Bulletin Board Announcement submission form on the Town of Stow web site, allowing submitters to key their announcement data onto the form. VanTine would then be able to copy this information into the bulletin board system.
On motion by Perry, seconded by Golder, that the current Bulletin Board Announcement Form be placed on the Town of Stow Web site and that PEG begin to accept completed forms in an email format, was unanimously approved.
VanTine and Dunn reported that the Nashoba Regional School District and School Building Committee presentations had been recorded. FinCom and the Master Plan Committee have cancelled their scheduled recordings. VanTine will try to reschedule the FinCom recording.
VanTine indicated that she has adopted a two week schedule for announcement and cablecast of video material provided to PEG. Schedule announcements are included on the channel 9 bulletin board, the Town of Stow web page, local newspapers, and local school newsletters.
VanTine advised the committee that she would be away from Stow from April 6 to April 14, 2005. Beth Zeranski has volunteered to assist/trouble shoot with bulletin board operations while VanTine is away.
VanTine indicated that Kevin Long from Great Northern was scheduled to be at the Town Building on Wednesday, March 30. VanTine suggested that the committee schedule its next meeting to meet with Long to discuss meeting room options and proposed installation plans.
The next PEG meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at 6:30 at the Stow Town Building.
On a motion from Perry and seconded by Golder, unanimous vote, the committee adjourned at 10:15PM.
Prepared by: _________________________________
Ed Newman
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