JOINT CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD

MINUTES OF AUGUST 20, 2003: Walt Iwaskiw advised he had one change to the minutes, on page 1, under Old Business, with regards to the CAN he would be meeting with Don Harris, not Tom Harwood. James Bowe advised he would also like the minutes noted to show that Joseph Czajkowski was not present at the August meeting. Walt Iwaskiw moved to approve the minutes of August 20, 2003. The motion was seconded by James Bowe and passed unanimously.

Members Present: James Bowe, Chairman; Walt Iwaskiw, Vice Chairman; and James Manahan, Member Representing Newtown Township; Rand Jaslow, Liaison, and Patrick Foster, Member Representing Newtown Borough.  Not in attendance was Scott Harp, Liaison Representing Newtown Township. 

CALL TO ORDER:  

Chairman James Bowe called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. 

MINUTES OF MAY 21, 2003: 

Walt Iwaskiw moved to approve the minutes of May 21, 2003.  The motion was seconded by James Manahan and passed unanimously. 

MINUTES OF JUNE 18, 2003: 

Walt Iwaskiw moved to approve the minutes of June 18, 2003.  The motion was seconded by Patrick Foster and passed unanimously. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

VOLUNTEER VIDEO GROUP: 

OLD BUSINESS: 

The committee members discussed the proposed new cable ordinance.  Rand Jaslow advised that the Borough is ok with the proposed new cable ordinance, they have passed it along to their solicitor for advisement and are waiting to hear further from the Township.  James Bowe advised he would speak to Scott Harp with regards to the proposed new cable ordinance. 

The committee members discussed the Community Alert Network (CAN).  Walt Iwaskiw advised he still needs to meet with Tom Harwood to discuss it further.  Members agreed more information is needed from Joseph Czajkowski.  The committee members agreed to research further before presenting to the BOS. 

James Bowe advised the committee members with regards to the videotaping of events from the First 4^th Celebration.  

COMCAST UPDATE: 

James Bowe advised the committee members that Joseph Czajkowski has asked to receive copies of all correspondence the committee receives with regards to Comcast.  James Bowe advised he would asked Comcast to forward copies of any correspondence that is sent to the township to the cable committee. 

The committee members discussed e-mail received from Joseph Czajkowski advising he could not attend tonight’s meeting, but updating the members on the following:

¨       Newtown Commons

¨       Newtown Crossing Resident

¨       The Ridings of Newtown 

The committee members discussed the email with regards to Newtown Commons.  Comcast advised the project is moving forward and is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2003.
The committee members discussed the email with regards to the resident in Newtown Crossing.  Comcast advised that any problems the resident was having have been resolved.  James Bowe advised he would contact the resident to verify. 

The committee members discussed the email with regards to The Ridings of Newtown.  Comcast advised correspondence with regards to this matter has been sent to Bob Pellegrino, Township Manager. 

The committee members discussed running cable equipment in The Village of Newtown Shops.  James Bowe advised he would speak to Joseph Czajkowski with regards to this matter.     

OTHER BUSINESS/MEMBER COMMENTS: 

The committee discussed the following: 

§     Walt Iwaskiw commented with regards to advertising on the Township’s Channels.  He discussed how other municipalities handle it.  
   He offered videotape from a community channel in Ocean City, NJ for members to review.  The committee members agreed to 
   discuss it further after reviewing the videotape.

§    James Bowe discussed cable competition with regards to Patriot Communications.  He advised that Mr. Harp is trying to contact      
   representatives from Patriot Communications.  Any correspondence received will be forward to committee members.

§         Walt Iwaskiw suggested contacting PECO with regards to cable competition.

§         Borough membership.  James Bowe advised he would make another announcement at the next BOS meeting that the committee is  
     looking for new members.  

ADJOURNMENT:

Walt Iwaskiw made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by James Bowe.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2003.  The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m., in the Newtown Borough Hall.  

Respectfully submitted:

____________________________
Christy Holley, Recording Secretary