JOINT CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD

MINUTES OF APRIL 7, 2004: James Bowe moved to approve the minutes of April 7, 2004. The motion was seconded by Patrick Foster and passed unanimously.

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

Also present were Joseph Czajkowski representing Comcast Cable Communications, Inc. and David Snellman representing Bucks County Community College.  Representing Holy Family University were Jesse H. Rosenblum, Ph.D., Karen M. Galardi and Gary Coleman.  

CALL TO ORDER:  

Chairman Walt Iwaskiw called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. 

MINUTES OF MARCH 3, 2004: 

James Manahan moved to approve the minutes of March 3, 2004.  The motion was seconded by Walt Iwaskiw and passed unanimously. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

OLD BUSINESS: 

The members discussed the license agreement between Newtown Township, Council Rock School District, and the Bucks County Community College for use of the cable channel drafted April 11, 2003.  The committee members discussed possible additions.  Walt Iwaskiw asked the members to email any comments with regards to the license agreement.  The members agreed to discuss further before advising the BOS. 

The committee members and representatives from Bucks County Community College and Holy Family University discussed content for the Township’s channels. Walt Iwaskiw advised the Universities on the status of the Township’s channels and what the committee would like to do with regards to content on the channels.   

Comcast advised that the Philadelphia and Bucks Counties are not interconnected.  

David Snellman advised the committee and the representatives from Holy Family University on the situation at Bucks County Community College.  

Gary Coleman discussed Holy Family University’s possible content and advised on their equipment. 

Joseph Czajkowski advised what is needed to maintain and develop content.  The committee members and the representatives from the Universities discussed the cost involved.  Joseph Czajkowski advised on the return lines at the universities.   

The committee members and the representatives from the Universities discussed Council Rock School District with regards to equipment and content.   

Walt Iwaskiw advised on the Township’s equipment and content with regards to Channel 23.   

The committee members and the representatives from the Universities discussed the time allotment between CRSD & BCCC.  

David Snellman explained why BCCC has no content at this time, he also advised on past attempts BCCC has made to develop content. 

Walt Iwaskiw advised on LaSalle’s status as of four years ago.  He advised that their content would be out of Philadelphia.  Walt Iwaskiw advised he would discuss further with Dr. Joe Ugras. 

The representatives from BCCC and HFU discussed having a partnership working together to develop content for the Township’s education channels.  They discussed possible grants available for funding.  Joseph Czajkowski advised that the Comcast Foundation has funding for literacy programming.   

Gary Coleman advised he felt Holy Family University should contact Bucks County Community College and Council Rock School District to discuss sharing the channel. 

Walt Iwaskiw thanked the representatives for their time and offered any help the committee could provide. 

The committee members discussed the results from the discussion with the Universities.  

COMCAST UPDATE: 

Joseph Czajkowski advised the committee members on the countywide channel realignment.  He advised that the realignment would begin January 2005 and should be completed within four months.  He advised that the customers would be given plenty of notice.  Walt Iwaskiw asked to be advised of the new government channel line up.  Joseph Czajkowski advised that he would let the committee know as soon as he knows. 

Joseph Czajkowski advised that Comcast is having a soft launch of DVR.  

Joseph Czajkowski advised that the Newtown Industrial Commons should be complete by the end of the week.  Walt Iwaskiw asked to be advised when the project is complete. 

Joseph Czajkowski advised that Comcast has no news with regards to The Ridings of Newtown. 

The committee members discussed the OTN.  Joseph Czajkowski advised that Comcast would start the landscaping repairs soon. 

The committee discussed the status of Channel 58, Walt Iwaskiw asked Comcast to advise on any technical issues involved.  Joseph Czajkowski will look into and advise the committee.   

Walt Iwaskiw asked what other municipalities are connected to Newtown’s system.  Joseph Czajkowski advised on how the systems work. 

OTHER BUSINESS/MEMBER COMMENTS: 

The committee discussed the following: 

§  The email address provided by the Township for residents/business owners to express any concerns with regards to cable.  Walt  Iwaskiw advised he did receive a telephone call from a resident, he advised the resident to use the email address.  Walt Iwaskiw also advised the email address has not received any mail.  The email address is tac@twp.newtown.pa.us.

§    The Joint Cable Telecommunications Advisory Board for Bucks County with regards to the countywide channel realignment and educational purposes.  Joseph Czajkowski advised that it is possible but it would take a lot of corporation from the different municipalities. 

ADJOURNMENT: 

Walt Iwaskiw made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by James Bowe.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. 

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5, 2004.   The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m., in the Newtown Borough Hall.  

Respectfully submitted:

____________________________
Christy Holley, Recording Secretary