JOINT CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD

MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2003:  Walt Iwaskiw moved to approve the minutes of December 17, 2003.  The motion was seconded by James Manahan and passed unanimously. 

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

Not present was Joseph Czajkowski representing Comcast Cable Communications, Inc. 

CALL TO ORDER:  

Chairman James Bowe called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 19, 2003: 

Walt Iwaskiw advised he had several changes to the minutes.  On page 1, under New Business, he felt the first sentence should read as  - The committee members discussed an article with regards to a local township where the other Township Supervisors voted to regulate cable rates, the article was not referring to the Newtown Township.   Also on page 1, under Old Business, with regards to RCN, the members agreed to recommend that the BOS follow though with the suit, not will the suit.  On page 2, under Comcast Updates, under items3 and 4 the correct term is megabits, not megabytes.  James Manahan moved to approve the minutes of November 19, 2003.  The motion was seconded by Patrick Foster and passed unanimously. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

James Bowe asked members how they feel about moving the meeting date from the third Wednesday of the month to the first Wednesday of the month.  Members agreed to move the meetings to the first Wednesday of the month.   

OLD BUSINESS: 

COMCAST UPDATE: 

OTHER BUSINESS/MEMBER COMMENTS: 

The committee discussed the following: 

§         Goals for the 2004-year.

§         Finalizing the proposed revised cable ordinance

§         Better customer service from Comcast

§         Improve the equipment already existing in the Township/Borough

§         More advising to the BOS and Borough Council

§         Possible ways to create cable competition.

§         RCN.

§         Franchise fees.

ADJOURNMENT: 

Walt Iwaskiw made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Patrick Foster.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. 

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, 2004.   The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m., in the Newtown Borough Hall.

  Respectfully submitted:

  ____________________________
Christy Holley, Recording Secretary