JOINT CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD

MINUTES OF OCTOBER 25, 2001: Walt Iwaskiw moved to approve the minutes of October 25, 2001.  The motion was seconded by Ernie Bancroft and passed unanimously.

Members Present: James Bowe, Vice Chairman, Walt Iwaskiw, Member, Representing the Newtown Township and Mark Craig, Liaison, Ernie Bancroft, Member, Representing the Newtown Borough.  Not in attendance are Dr. Joe Ugras, Chairman, Scott Harp, Liaison, Representing the Newtown Township and Stuart Myles, Treasurer, Representing the Newtown Borough.

Others Present: Ted Christian, Director of Community & Government Relations at Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.

CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman James Bowe called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m.

MINUTES OF JUNE 20, 2001: James Bowe moved to approve the minutes of June 20, 2001.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Bancroft and passed unanimously. 

MINUTES OF AUGUST 15, 2001: James Bowe moved to approve the minutes of August 15, 2001.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Bancroft and passed unanimously.

MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2001: James Bowe moved to approve the minutes of September 19, 2001.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Bancroft and passed unanimously. 

OLD BUSINESS:           

COMCAST UPDATE:

Ted Christian advised that as of November 1, 2001, Comcast will have 5 HDTV Channels.  The monthly charge for this service will be $10.95.

Mark Craig asked Ted Christian about an article he read in the paper in reference to Comcast building a site in Newtown.  Ted Christian advised that Comcast is building an OTN Site, which is a mini hub. 

Mark Craig advised Ted Christian that the Borough would like cable service in the current Borough Hall.  Ted Christian advised that Comcast would take care of it. 

The committee discussed the monthly price of cable.  The committee requested advance notice of any price increases.

The committee discussed the fact that Excite is going out of business.  AT&T will be purchasing Excite’s equipment.  The committee asked Comcast how this would affect the Comcast customers.  Ted Christian advised the Comcast will keep the system running and customers should not be affected.  Ted Christian will keep the committee advised. 

Ted Christian advised that Comcast would be helping out with the Newtown Township First Night

a.      Construction Progress Report – James Bowe spoke about the construction progress in Newtown Crossing. Ted Christian advised that construction my be completed by the end of November. 

James Bowe asked if Comcast has heard anything from The Ridings.  Ted Christian advised Comcast hasn’t heard anything.  The committee discussed having a meeting with the Homeowners Association. 

b.      Tour of new Facilities – Ted Christian advised the committee could tour the new Facility on December 4, 2001.  Ted Christian advised that Comcast has offered to allow the committee to have a Cable Meeting at the new location.  

c.       Educational Channel Change – Ted Christian explained what was going on.  He advised the committee that Channel 78, can be emanated from BCCC or Council Rock High School.  He also advised that Comcast is running the switch at their Jamison location.

The committee discussed the channel setup.  The committee discussed moving the programming on Channel 58 to Channel 23.  The committee asked Ted Christian if he could get copies of the scheduling for Channels 58 & 78.    

James Bowe advised he would go to the next BOS work session to advise the Board of the contract agreement with Comcast in reference to Pay Channels.  Walt Iwaskiw will also attend.        

d.      Cable TV Technology Seminar – James Bowe advised he would give Ted Christian an outline of some topics he would like to see discussed.

SATELLITE UPDATE: 

Walt Iwaskiw gave the committee an overview of some of the FCC regulations.  He handed out documentation re: BOCA Code, FCC regulation.  He advised the committee of the web site for the FCC www.FCC.gov.  The committee discussed satellite dishes and what the regulations should be.  The committee will go to the supervisors with a recommendation of further review by an attorney.

NEW BUSINESS: 

James Bowe advised there is a meeting at the Bucks County Court House, on Tuesday, October 30, 2001, for all Joint Cable/Telecommunication Advisory Boards.  Ralph Douglas is organizing the meeting.  There will be a general discussion on the RCN Issues.  The meeting is set to begin at 7:15 PM, in the Public Meeting Room. Members discussed selecting a representative for the meeting.  The committee would ask Stuart Myles if he could attend the meeting as the representative. 

OTHER BUSINESS/MEMBER COMMENTS:

Members discussed the name change and how the research was going on the specifics of what the new scope will be.  Walt Iwaskiw advised the committee of some of the changes he proposes for the new scope.  He will e-mail the committee with what information he has so far for their review and input.  There would be further discussion at the November meeting. 

Members discussed wireless technology as being part of the future.

Members discussed the Council Rock Cable Board Meeting on October 1, 2001.  As no committee members were able to attend the meeting, the committee will contact Toby Mogul for more details on the discussion at the meeting.  The committee reviewed correspondence from Upper Makefield Township. 

Members discussed the procedure of processing the minutes.  James Bowe advised he would speak to Scott Harp, to question weather minutes in draft form should be published on the Web site.   

Members discussed the correspondence from RCN. 

ADJOURNMENT: The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 21, 2001.

Walt Iwaskiw made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by James Bowe.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

                                                Respectfully submitted:

                                                __________________________
                                              Christy Holley, Recording Secretary