JOINT CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD

MINUTES OF MARCH 20, 2002: Walt Iwaskiw moved to approve the minutes of March 20, 2002. The motion was seconded by James Bowe and pass unanimously, with 1 member abstaining.

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

Also present were Steve Rabbitt and Michael Sinback representing Comcast Cable Communications, Inc. 

CALL TO ORDER: 

Chairman James Bowe called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. 

MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 20, 2002: 

Walt Iwaskiw moved to approve the minutes of February 20, 2002.  The motion was seconded by Ernie Bancroft and passed unanimously.  

NEW BUSINESS: 

OLD BUSINESS:  

COMCAST UPDATE: 

The committee discussed the status of the property belonging to Kelly Rufus, a resident of Newtown Crossing.  Steve Rabbitt advised the committee that Comcast is taking care of the problem and it should be resolved soon. 

The committee discussed the status of Newtown Commons.  Steve Rabbitt advised Comcast has been unsuccessful in reaching Doug Terry.  James Bowe advised he would attempt to contact Doug Terry. 

The committee discussed the township’s Office Research Zone. 

The committee discussed the need for cable in the workplace. 

The committee discussed the change in the channel line-up.  Steve Rabbitt advised the committee on why the changes were made. 

Walt Iwaskiw recommended that Comcast put the channel line-up on their Web page. 

The committee discussed the Internet/Email service outages.  Steve Rabbitt and Michael Sinback advised the committee that the equipment has been stable for about 2 weeks.  Walt Iwaskiw advised he did recently have a problem.  James Bowe requested Comcast to provide the committee with information on the percentage of downtime and the percentage of customer calls.  Walt Iwaskiw asked if they could separate the Internet and Email, if possible.  Steve Rabbitt advised that Comcast would help any way they could.  Ernie Bancroft advised the committee that the conversion seemed to go well in Newtown Borough. 

The committee discussed the status of Tyler Walk – Phase II.  James Bowe asked Michael Sinback to review the area of Conover and Sheffield.  Michael Sinback advised he would look into.  The committee will discuss further at the next meeting. 

Scott Harp advised there are still some problems in Newtown Crossing.  James Bowe advised he would contact Jim Downey, Newtown Crossing Homeowners Association President.  Steve Rabbitt advised he would discuss with Joe DiJulio or Gary Roberts. 

Steve Rabbitt advised the committee on the new Director of Community & Government Relations, Joe Czajkowski. 

The committee discussed the status of the OTM. 

SATELLITE DISHES:

 OTHER BUSINESS/MEMBER COMMENTS:  

The committee discussed recent article in the Bucks County Courier Times, with respects to Cable competition. 

The committee discussed the status of the Borough Liaison. 

ADJOURNMENT: 

Walt Iwaskiw made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Ernie Bancroft.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. 

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 2002. 

Respectfully submitted:

____________________________
Christy Holley, Recording Secretary