HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-18 Cable TV Advisory Committee Minutesc AbLE -VV Coom f -TT- E - 0 r-TZ-NA
Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM on Thursday, 8/18/94, in the Berger
Room at Town Hall.
ent: Mark Cloutier
Richard Cohen
Silva Gerety
Jim Guarente, Chairman
Marc Guyott, Secretary
Mike Longo`
Absent: Jim Liston
The committee discussed issues concerning the Reading Information Technology
Task Force. The School Department created this task force so that the school
Department could better understand the School's Technology needs. Th8` report
generated by this Task Force will be needed in order to obtain Statec-funding
for technology related programs. The Technology Task Force is made up of
school personnel and interested parents.
The committee reviewed a letter sent at the committee's request by Jim
Guarente to Laura Peterson, Chairman of the Reading Information Technology
Task Force (copy included). The reason's why thecommittee felt this letter
would be helpful were reviewed one more time for the benefit of previously
absent committee members.
Jim Guarente handed out updated copies of our consumer survey and read a
letter that he had sent to Greg Brennan of Continental Cable. The survey
and letter were sent to Mr. Brennan on August 3, 1994. Jim had not yet
lived a reply.
Jim Guarente read a letter from Peter Heichenbliekner dated July 26, 1994.
The letter informed the committee that the Board of Selectmen had voted to
reduce the size of the committee from 9 members to 7 members. Peter also
mentioned that the Board of Selectmen had made an additional change to the
committee's charter. Peter said he would be forwarding information about
this change to the committee„soon.
The committee discussed and ammended the meeting minutes from March 28, 1994.
The minutes were accepted as ammended by a vote of 2 for and 0 against.
Mark Cloutier, Marc Guyott, and Mike Longo abstained. Silva Gerity was not
present for the vote. An ammended copy of the meeting minutes is included.
The committee discussed the meeting minutes from April 13, 1994. The minutes
were tabled until.Sliva Gerity rejoined the committee.
The committee discussed and ammended the meeting minutes from June 23, 1994.
The minutes were accepted as ammended by a vote of 3 for and 0 against.
Mark Cloutier,,Silva,Gerety and Mike Longo abstained. An ammended copy of
the meeting minutes is included.
The committee reopened discussion and ammended the meeting minutes from April
13, 1994. The minutes were accepted as ammended by a vote of 4 for and 0
against. Richard Cohen and Mike Longo abstained. An ammended copy of the
- ting minutes is included.
The Town Department Interview Sub Committee, consisting of Richard Cohen
(Chair), Marc Guyott and Mike Longo, reported no progress.
;School Department Interview Sub Committee, consisting of Mark Cloutier,
_.,va Gerety (Chair) and Mike Longo reported having met. The sub committee
has begun formulating ideas for a process.
The committee discussed the usefulness of reviewing recent contracts signed
betweert.Continental Cable and other area communities. Silva Gerety
volunteered to contact Mass. CATC to get copies of some recent contracts
signed by Continental Cable.
The committee discussed future meetings and set the following dates:
Sep.
8,
1994
- Sub Committees
to meet
as appropriate.
Sep.
22,
1994
- Full Committee
meeting.
Quarterly meeting with
Continental Cable.
Oct.
13,
1994
- Sub Committees
to meet
as appropriate.
Oct.
27,
1994
- Full Committee
meeting.
Nov.
17,
1994
- Full Committee
meeting.
It was suggested that the Sub Committees should meet between Oct. 27 and
Nov. 17 if needed.
The committee discussed begining informal negotiations with Continental
Cable. A motion was made "to invite Greg Brennan to come before the committee
and informally discuss the contract as he had offered." This motion was
ammended "to invite Greg to come before the committee on or as near as
sible to our September 22, 1994 meeting." The motion was approved as
:ended by a vote of 4 for and 2 against.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 PM by a vote of 6 for and 0 against.
ail
~C~
Jim Guarente, Chairman
Reading Cable TV Committee
29 Terrace Park
Reading, MA 01867
Laura Peterson, Chair
Reading Information Technology Task Force
Reading School Department
82 Oakland Road
Reading, MA 01867
July 28, 1994
Dear Laura:
Recently 1 had a conversation with Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards where we
briefly discussed the endeavors of the Information Technology Task Force and the contract
renewal process that the Cable TV Committee is undertaking. As a result of our conversation,
would like to formally extend an invitation to the Task Force to present your findings to the Cable
TV Committee at your convenience.
As you may not be aware, the Cable TV Committee is in the process of ascertaining the
needs of the entire town of Reading regarding the renewal of the current Cable TV contract with
Continental Cablevision. Your input will help us in determining the schools needs.
tf you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 944-3934, or Silva Gerety,
our school department liaison, at 8845660, ext. 14. Thank you.
Sincerely,
CC: Dan Ensminger, Chairman, Board of Selectmen
Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager
Dennis Richards, Asst. Superintendent of Schools
Silva Gerety, Member, Cable TV Committee