SPECIAL MEETING
April 29, 2009
Present was Ramesh Advani, James C. Lehan, Robert J. Garrity, and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator.
Ramesh opened the meeting at 7:11 p.m. and read the public hearing notice. This was a public hearing regarding the renewal of the Comcast cable license.
Ramesh addressed the audience and encouraged them to give comments and input.
Ramesh introduced the Board of Selectmen; Jonathan Smith from the Cable Advisory Committee and Gerry Buckley from Comcast.
Gerry gave a brief opening statement. He said that they will offer phone and internet services, as well as cable and video. He said his function tonight is to listen and see what the communities needs are so that he can implement them into the license. He said if someone has an issue specific to their home that will impact them only, he will take their name and address and take it back with him.
Rob Garrity said that this is his first cable hearing. He is interested in what people have to say.
Jack Hathaway said that he would like to hear what people have to say. He said the PEG is an invaluable tool. He feels that it is great that people can go onto the channels and we can share information quickly and accurately and is a way people can hear directly from us.
Jack said that he feels that Comcast has been excellent for Norfolk. He said that we have partnered well with Comcast and they have tried to fit cable to all residents.
Jim Lehan said he echoed Jack’s comments. He said we now have Verizon as well, as feels it is healthy to have both Verizon and Comcast. He feels it is a plus. Jim feels Norfolk Cable is wonderful for Norfolk and is amazed by the number of people that watch us. He said that it is a wonderful vehicle for us. He feels they have been a very good partner with us. He is interested in Mr. Guertin’s comments.
Ramesh Advani said he has been very pleased with the service we have had with cameras and recordings and the quality of the system as it goes out live. He feels the PEG access us critical for a community like ours. He said the Planning Board and Conservation and the School Committee meetings have issues with the quality of the broadcast because they are taped, and not live. He would like to see Comcast address the equipment. Ramesh said he used to be a Comcast subscriber, but he switched to Verizon. He felt the pricing was not competitive and the quality was better with Verizon. He said that there is programming that he would have enjoyed if it was available in Norfolk and not just other parts of the state. He said that it was not available through Comcast. This is him talking as a user.
Ramesh opened this up to the public for comments.
Cole Bushnell, 3 Medway Street. He is also our Fire Chief. Cole mentioned Ramesh is the sole Selectman who hired him. Cole came here from Connecticut and listening to what Norfolk provides is quite limited. He said one of the first people he met here was Paul Guertin. He said we offer unfiltered access. Unbelievable as an outsider and coming here and surprised at what people watch. Types of service that come out for emergencies or whatever, getting it out and having it available on a 24 hour basis is wonderful. It is essential. He said to see first hand is to watch a Selectmen’s meeting. Without that type of access, we have no availability to get the information out. Norfolk Cable
TV is the life blood of the community. He would like to see upgrades of the system – one of the things he has is PowerPoint. They do not have the capability to put a PowerPoint on Comcast television. Cole feels that this is essential and would like to see this obtained. Portability of equipment. Very important. The trainer trains. Competitive nature of the industry. Cole said that the resources here and the type of equipment are vital and need to be constantly maintained and upgraded.
Paul Altmeyer, 41 Park Street. He has the service, and problems are fixed very quickly. He is representing Norfolk Cable TV. It is nice to hear compliments. They try to provide this information to residents. He said they are tenants of the school, and it is very costly and time consuming to take apart their studio and move. In a perfect world, they would love to own their own building. They are trying to go from analog to digital. They hope to make progress later this year or early next year. He said that there is always a need for new equipment, and modernizing the equipment. Andrew Eckhard is now full time, and replaces Paul. He is a local resident. He has support from the Town, and would like support from Comcast as well.
Paul Guertin, manager of NCTV. He explained how they operated over the years. In an effort to gather support for tonight, they sent out a survey to the parents and teachers. Received over 250 letters of support for which they are grateful. They have also received support letters from government – CPC, COA, etc. We have this support because we are able to provide communication needs that a small town needs. They cover now 9 out of 11 municipal meetings. They cover town meetings, and other individual meetings. They need to upgrade equipment, look to the future in terms of webcasting, streaming video, etc. You can look at this on your web. They are getting into this. They are looking for positive feedback.
Richard Connors, 30 Everett Street. Norfolk Cable is a critical area for the seniors. He does a show with Norma Shruhan, and keeps everyone apprised of what’s going on. Bulletin boards which lets people know of goings on in town. It keeps the seniors well informed and lets them know where they can go for help. He said he gets Comcast because Verizon is not available on his end of town. He also is a member of NCTV. He told Gerry he would like their help in upgrading our equipment.
Andrew Eckhard of 9 Mass Ave. He said he has Comcast because it’s a backup for his satellite when it gets covered in snow. He has Verizon FIOS because it’s fast. Andrew said he is the new manager of NCTV. He said he has spent a lot of time under Paul’s wing learning and building a great TV station. He said he has spent many hours covering the town. He is trying to get the public involved, because it is their tool. If they want to come in and talk, we are open to that and this is their forum.
Pamela Ruby Russell, 41 North Street. Had a show and will have a show again. She broke her ankle and took a break. Was filming at home and bringing the film into the studio, and is going to learn to edit it. She feels it is important to keep up with this.
Georgia Jones, 43 Campbell Street. Member of the Grange and affiliation with the Historical Commission. Federated Church services are available on the access channel for residents who cannot get out. Vital serve to the town.
Donna Jones, North Street. Volunteer since 1995 and member of the NCTV. Donna has a letter of interest from Russ Flynn who does not have cable of any kind. Donna read a statement from herself.
Joanne Squatieri, 8 Wellfleet. Joanne is the chair of Medical Reserve Group. She said that Comcast access allowed them to have some medical presentations online for people to use.
Eric Lintner, 143 North St. Airwaves belong to the people, and people that use these for profit… Comcast use it for profit and we get to share this resource which is important and healthy. He would like to see the rights preserved.
Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator and resident of 25 Evergreen Rd. He talked about as a resident, sports and NCTV brings the camera with them and they all enjoy the kids being on TV. School events are on TV, and are a highlight for kids and pleasure for grandparents, etc.
Jack said in his Town Administrator role, he has letters from the Fire and Police Chiefs, Assessor, Treasurer, etc. Jack finds it valuable to get information out and share impacts of tax rates or revaluation years or fire training, etc. His wish list – available in the future – on-demand, put things on web or not put things on web. Jack’s choice would be on-demand service and it would be a valuable tool such as watching a Selectmen’s meeting when you want instead of at a programmed time. He would like to have employees in other towns see the programs, or be able to see other town events. Jack would like INET expanded and brought up to a fiber network so that we could use it for other things – get off the coaxial cable.
Paul Guertin said they have 17 government meetings and 32 other programs on. He would want to be able to continue to do that.
Pamela Russell wanted to thank Paul because he works so hard and have been the heart and soul, and makes you proud.
Jonathan Smith, 26 Robin Road, Chair of Cable Committee. He said the committee is appointed by the Board of Selectmen. They are in the process of sitting down with Comcast to do negotiations. The process is that the Committee has face to face meetings with Comcast and attorneys. We will express concerns you brought toward us tonight. They try to elicit concerns about what the contract will be, expectations after the contract is signed by the town and cable provider. The final arbiters are the Board of Selectmen. Jonathan apologized for the 384 exchange problem with Verizon, and didn’t realize that would be an issue.
Jonathan said we need in writing the concerns you have, support for PEG and availability of access. He mentioned the revenues the town will be receiving and entitled to. With increasing bundling of services that both cable companies do right now, the monies are in there for the revenues that Norfolk will receive. He is concerned with equipment and grants during the timing of the contract. He mentioned concerns of programming provided; especially on municipal side that technology is updated for sound, etc. Concerned that the sources be hooked to NCTV and sharing so that the regional committee can go seamlessly through the KP studio. They are committed that the service provides that if the studio is not available, that the cable providers provide a studio and that their services remain uninterrupted. If there is a new school, or renovations, they may not be able to remain at the school.
Gerry Buckley summed up the evening and thanked everyone for input. Comcast is very supportive. They are the provider that built out the origination site that most communities use to bring out the video. He said they are not walking away from that commitment and want to work with the local producers to improve what is looked upon as an excellent source of community programming. Regarding the letters of support, he would like copies. Gerry thanked the Board.
Jonathan asked that the letters and documentation be made an official part of the record of these proceedings. Our attorney has some, and NCTV has some. Ruby asked about other letters and they can be forwarded to the Town Administrator.
Jim said that we need to personally thank Paul. We are very grateful for your return, and sad for your departure. You are an institution of this cable service. Jim also thanked the volunteers who have made cable service what it is. Thank you Comcast, but a special thanks to all who make it work. Ramesh seconded it.
At 8:15 p.m., Ramesh Advani closed the public hearing. Being no further business, Jim Lehan moved to adjourn the meeting. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Special Meeting of April 29, 2009.
James C. Lehan, Clerk
| 
