JOINT CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD

MINUTES OF JULY 7, 2004: James Bowe moved to approve the minutes of July 7, 2004. The motion was seconded by James Manahan and passed unanimously.

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

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

CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Walt Iwaskiw called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.

MINUTES OF JUNE 2, 2004:

James Bowe moved to approve the minutes of June 2, 2004. The motion was seconded by James Manahan and passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

OLD BUSINESS:

The committee members discussed the school channel contract. Walt Iwaskiw updated the members on a conversation with Bob Pellegrino with regards to the matter. Walt Iwaskiw advised he would follow up with Bob Pellegrino.

The committee members discussed the character generator. The members agreed to begin drafting a list of goals/recommendations with regards to the character generator. Walt Iwaskiw advised the members that he is trying to set up a meeting with the person who is responsible for the community channel in Ocean City, NJ to discuss their character generator. The committee members agreed to recommend that the Park & Recreation Department activity schedule be displayed on the character generator. The committee members discussed having a weekly calendar, general announcements, announcements for civic organizations and information with regards to Safety Day shown on the character generator. The committee members agreed they have some concerns with advertising on the character generator. The committee members agreed to take some time to gather ideas and will discuss further.

The members discussed possible content for Channel 23. The members discussed the JDNC videotape. The committee members all agreed they would like to see the JDNC videotape shown on Channel 23. Walt Iwaskiw advised he would discuss the matter with Bob Pellegrino.

COMCAST UPDATE:

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

• Newtown Industrial Commons – Complete.
• The Ridings of Newtown – Comcast has not heard anything from Continental Management regarding this issue. No Change.
• Programming Changes – Discovery On Demand will be added to the On Demand line up at the end of July. Discovery HD will be added to the High Definition line up.
• Channel Line-Up Change – The change in the channel line up, bringing the County closer to a single line, has been pushed back to the 4^th quarter of 2004 or the 1^st quarter of 2005.
• Newtown OTN – Comcast is working with the Township to complete access to the site.
• Council Rock School District – The District has asked that the headend be moved from Council Rock North to Chancellor Street. This will need the approval of the Township and the Borough, as this is a franchise requirement.
• Digital Video Recorders (single tuner) are now available. Dual Tuner Recorders will be available in September and will allow customers to watch one program while recording another.

Walt Iwaskiw advised the committee on a discussion he had with Joseph Czajkowski with regards to the landscaping of the OTN. Walt Iwaskiw advised he felt the landscaping was well done.

The committee members discussed the cable wires hanging from the telephone poles along the Bypass near the OTN site. Walt Iwaskiw advised the committee on a discussion he had with Joseph Czajkowski with regards to the cable wires hanging from the telephone poles along the Bypass near the OTN site. Joseph Czajkowski advised that the wire is a fiber cable, Comcast is not sure if it is theirs. Joseph Czajkowski advised that Comcast is researching. Walt Iwaskiw advised he wants an answer by next week and he will advise the Township.

The committee members questioned the status of the Goddard School located at 119 Pheasant Run. Members agreed to contact Joseph Czajkowski to see if the connecting problem had been fixed.

OTHER BUSINESS/MEMBER COMMENTS:

The committee discussed the following:

• Walt Iwaskiw advised the members that the advertisement running on Channel 23 discussed at the June meeting has been removed.
• The committee members discussed the open positions on the committee. The committee members will recommend advertising for new members.

• The committee members discussed the two Newtown residents interested in joining the Newtown Area Telecommunications Advisory Committee.  Members agreed both residents would make good additions to the committee.
• The committee members discussed the end date of the Township’s current franchise agreement. Walt Iwaskiw recommended the committee begin drafting recommendations for the future franchise agreement.
• The committee members discussed the videotape from last year’s First Fourth celebration. James Bowe advised he would be taping events this year.
• James Bowe requested the committee be provided a copy of the Borough’s franchise agreement. The recording secretary agreed to contact Lois Saurman at the Borough to request a copy.

The committee members discussed the August 4, 2004 meeting. Patrick Foster made a motion to cancel the August 4^th meeting, which was seconded by Walt Iwaskiw. The motion carried unanimously.

The committee members discussed changing the location of the monthly meeting to the Newtown Borough Fire Station located at 14 Liberty Street, Newtown. James Bowe made a motion to hold the monthly Newtown Area Telecommunications Advisory Committee meeting at the Newtown Borough Fire Station located at 14 Liberty Street, Newtown, which was seconded by James Manahan. The motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT:

James Manahan made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Walt Iwaskiw. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 1, 2004. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m., in the Newtown Borough Fire Station located at 14 Liberty Street, Newtown.

Respectfully submitted:

____________________________
Christy Holley, Recording Secretary