NEWTOWN AREA TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2008

 

Members Present: Harry Stevens, Chairman; James Manahan, Member; Barbara Jankowski, Member and Robert Hafner, Member Representing Newtown Township; John Leonard, Member and Gerard O’Malley, Liaison Representing Newtown Borough. Not present were Jerry Schenkman, Liaison Representing Newtown Township and Patrick Foster, Vice-Chairman/Treasurer Representing Newtown Borough.

Also present was resident Stewart Mash.

No representatives from Comcast Cable Communications, Inc. or Verizon attended the meeting.

CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Harry Stevens called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M.

MINUTES OF JULY 2, 2008:

Robert Hafner made a motion to approve the minutes of July 2, 2008. The motion was seconded by James Manahan and passed unanimously (5-0).

COMCAST REPORT:

Stewart Mash updated the Committee with regards to his complaint that Comcast is charging customers in the five counties surrounding the Philadelphia area, $13.00 per month for the Big Ten Network. The Committee discussed Stewart Mash’s complaint and agreed to have Robert Hafner contact Brian Jeter to discuss the matter. Barbara Jankowski suggested that the Committee contact the Verizon representative to see if they are also charging. The Committee thanked Stewart Mash for his time and advised that they would get back to him once hearing from Comcast.

Harry Stevens advised the Committee that he received a telephone call from Scott Harp with regards to the franchise agreement. The Recording Secretary advised that Scott Harp is still on the Committee’s contact list and receiving copies of the agendas and minutes.

The Committee discussed the Comcast pedestals located through out the Township and Borough.

The Committee was provided various correspondences from Comcast including a copy of The Comcast Connection (Volume 3, Issue 3, July 2008) and a letter from Brian Jeter, dated July 9, 2008, with regards to the Big Ten Network.

VERIZON REPORT:

Harry Stevens advised that Stephanie Beavers provided him with the following update:

  • That Verizon is committed to resolving the problem with regards to SAP and DVS. Discussed the short-term fix and advised that the long-term fix should happen in the fall of 2008.
  • There will be a channel realignment effective September 11, 2008.
  • There will be an upgrade to the Interactive Media Guide (IMG).
  • 40 – 50 HD Channels will be added in mid October.

OLD BUSINESS:

Candidate Debates

The Committee discussed the possibility of holding debates in 2009. Barbara Jankowski discussed the rules that the Committee received from the League of Women Voters. A suggestion was made to contact the Council and Board of Supervisors to see if there is an interest in holding debates in 2009. Gerard O’Malley advised that he would discuss the matter will Council and report back to the Committee.

Public Access Channel

The Committee discussed having a PAC and the issues involved with developing the channel.

NEW BUSINESS:

OTHER BUSINESS/MEMBER COMMENTS:

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting adjourned at 8:46 P.M.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 1, 2008. The meeting will begin at 7:30 P.M., in the Newtown Fire Station located at Newtown Municipal Complex.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

 

Christy Holley, Recording Secretary