CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Minutes
June 26, 2014
The regular meeting of the Cable Television Advisory Council was held on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. at the Oliver Wolcott Library, Litchfield, Connecticut.
A quorum was present: Chairman, Stephen Simonin, Litchfield; Diane Knox, Gerry Gault, Litchfield, Andrew MacDavid, Cornwall; John Angevine, Warren; Lucille Paige, Torrington. Absent: Jeff Dunn, Thomaston; John Luciano, Marie Soliani, Torrington. Also present was Jennifer Young, Cablevision.
Mr. Simonin called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Upon a motion by Mr. Gault, seconded by Mr. Angevine, the agenda was approved as submitted. Voted unanimous.
Public Participation: None
Correspondence/E-mails: Ms. Paige reported on the receipt of thank you notes from those students at the seven high schools who received the scholarships from the Cable Television Advisory Council.
Secretary’s Report: Upon a motion by Ms. Knox, seconded by Mr. Gault, the minutes of the meeting of March 13, 20114 were approved as corrected. Voted unanimous. (Correct the year to 2014.)
Treasurer’s Report: Mrs. Knox reported a current fund balance of $399.86. Upon a motion by Mr. Angevine, seconded by Mr. Gault, the Treasurer’s Report was voted approved unanimously.
Town Reports:
Mr. Gault reported “no sound” when watching Channel 9; weekend broadcasting from the public TV stations are erratic – some are received, yet several are not. Is this due to broadcasters errors or Cablevision? Mrs. Young will investigate. Mrs. Young went into detail explaining how very expensive the Sports Channels are becoming. ESPN is part of a contract agreement that includes “channel placement costs”, which ESPN prefers to be located on the “family tier”. VIACOM contracted for the same placement on the “family tier”. For the first time in history, Cablevision has higher income from “internet” viewing and the regular Cablevision output. The increase in surcharges is a result from the cost borne by Cablevision from the sports channels.
Chairman Simonin reported on the recent article in area newspapers regarding the cable television boxes and the high usage of electricity they require – even when they are turned off. FCC is in the process of regulating boxes. Mr. Gault suggested that soon those boxes will have to be sold to customers – no longer rented infinite. New energy regulations. Ms. Paige reported experiencing short blackouts when changing channels; definitive audio fluctuations from one channel to another. She also reported continued problems of “static” on the phone lines at Goshen Town Hall. Mrs. Young will investigate.
Manager’s Report: Mrs. Young reported on the list of channel changes, some dropped, new ones added. She also explained the “grants” that were awarded by Cablevision to each of the seven high schools in the franchise. Each school was the recipient of a $1,500 grant in which to purchase any kind of technology, communication equipment for the students. These “grants” were very much appreciated by each school’s Principal.
Mr. Simonin reported on attending a demonstration of “Direct TV” vs. Cablevision at a Costco store recently. The clarity and vision from the Cablevision as opposed to Direct TV was clearly shown to be superior. The HBO feed from Cablevision was much stronger.
The meeting was declared adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucille A. Paige, Secretary
The next meeting of the Cable Television Advisory Council will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. at the OWL in Litchfield, CT.
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