Cable Franchise Review Committee

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

 2:00 p.m. Town Council Chambers

Newmarket Town Hall

Attendees:

Absent:

Bernard Gordon, Diane Hardy, Steven Minutelli, Mark LaRoche, Doug Poulin,  and Kate Miller.

Ed Wojnowski was excused.

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 Minutes:

There were no minutes for approval

Person responsible:

Deadline:

Negotiations with Comcast

Jay Somers opened the meeting with a proposal from Comcast to the Town to address the C-Span issue. He proposed to provide a package to the schools, library and town hall that offers C-Span, as part of the free cable service. He indicated that there may be a cost for the converter box. He asked the committee to add this to the side letter. This was in response to a request to make C-Span, an option on the basic tier. He explained that they could only make this package available to the  schools and library for free.  Bernard Gordon was of the opinion that their proposal has no value from his perspective. Mark LaRoche recently inquired (1-800-comcast) about the economy digital tier and was told that it didn’t exist. Everyone was asked to follow up with additional calls to try to get information on that tier. Jay Somers stated that he would be getting cost information together after Thanksgiving for the I-NET. A meeting was tentatively scheduled for December 2 (which was later postponed at Jay’s request until December 9.) Diane Hardy inquired about the cost for building out Harvest Way. Jay Somers indicated they were set for putting those costs into the franchise, with the costs passed onto the consumers.  Kate Miller asked why the costs would have to be passed on. Jay Somers offered to take another look at it.  After that, Newmarket will begin to get the franchise fees for the subscribers on Harvest Way, rather than the Town of  Epping. The committee will encourage land use boards in the Town to notify Comcast when trenching is occurring in new developments so it may put its facilities into the trenches when they are open and accessible.  Kate Miller gave an update on the side letter. Other items to go into the letter are putting C-Span on the digital tier by 2011 and the senior discount, the later of which has been approved by Comcast.

Committee Meeting without Comcast.

Discussion:  Kate Miller provided draft language on the taxation and pole attachment licensing.  The committee discussed that the cable oversight committee would prepare a budget for the two PEG channels going forward. It was the consensus of the committee that the allocation of money would not be mentioned in the franchise, but to leave those decisions to the oversight committee and the Town Council. The group discussed the length of the term, settling on a five-year term with a possibility of an additional two years if the Town is content with the performance of Comcast. A motion was made by Diane Hardy, seconded by Mark LaRoche, to agree to a five (5) year term with an additional two years. All in Favor. Kate Miller reviewed all the proposed changes that would be made. 

Action Items:  Kate Miller will finalize the language in the franchise and asked the committee members for their final comments by November 26. The extension in on the agenda of the Town Council for consideration at its November 19 meeting. 

Person responsible:

KM,EW, SM

Deadline:

11/26

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Next Meeting:

Discussion: The next meeting will be scheduled for December 2 at 2:00 p.m.

Person responsible:

DH

Deadline: