CTAC Minutes

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: May 6, 2015

Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of CTAC was held at CTV Offices at 843 State Street, New Haven, Connecticut, on Wednesday, May 6, 2015. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy Secretary. Meeting called to order at 6:06.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

Peaches Quinn, Vice Chair (NH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, Secretary (H)

Johnes Ruta (NH)

Martha Brogan (NH)

Steve Gemmell, Local Manager, Field Operations, Frontier Communications

The minutes for the April meeting were discussed. Johnes wanted the minutes to reflect a discussion relating to internet service. Tad said CTAC is only authorized to act on issues relating to cable television. Minutes approved.

Tad indicated that New Haven Mayor Toni Harp sent him a letter with regard to her appointment of a new Commissioner to represent the City of New Haven. Tad said he would reach out to the new Commissioner and report on her status at the June meeting.

Steve Gimmell, local manager of field operations for Frontier Communications, was invited to update the Commission on issues relating to start-up and continuing operations of Frontier Communications, which took over from AT&T as statewide cable operator earlier this year.

Steve acknowledged that during the first two months after Frontier took over from AT&T cable customers experienced severe customer service, billing and cable access problems. He said these problems had not been anticipated by Frontier. Steve said the signal delivery problem was the result of radically different signal management protocols between Frontier and AT&T. He said these problems have been identified and addressed and that Frontier customers are reporting many fewer customer complaints.

Steve said he would work with CTV to make sure that local programs produced at CTV would be available to local Frontier cable subscribers. He also said that Frontier is considering installing FiOS at new multi-unit residential developments in our area.

Commissioners decided to hold a special meeting on Wednesday, May 13 at 5:30 p.m. at DiMatteo’s Restaurant at Hamden Plaza to discuss how to reshape what had been the CTAC junior high school TV production contest.

The May regular meeting of CTAC was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by D. Levy, CTAC secretary

Notes on Special Meeting of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: May 13, 2015

A special meeting of CTAC concerning the reshaping of the CTAC video production contest was held at DiMatteo’s Restaurant, 2100 Dixwell, Ave. Hamden, Connecticut on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy secretary. Meeting started at 5:30 p.m.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, Secretary (H)

Johnes Ruta (NH)

Members voted to establish a grant program aimed at encouraging local video production to replace the video contest.

The grant program would provide grants for new video productions in the area of public service.

The following remarks are offered as a rough working outline of how the new CTAC Public Service Grant Pro would be administered. The details of the new CTAC Public Service Grant Program will be crafted and put to a vote at a regular meeting of CTAC.

Members formed a consensus that grants would each be of the same monetary value. The figure of three $1,000 grants during the first year was discussed.

Members felt that a wide cross section of community members should be encouraged to apply for the new CTAC Video Production Grants. Members considered establishing three categories of grants: 1) unrestricted and open to all community members, 2) A category limited to community members ages 15 to 18 and 3) a category for community members ages 14 and younger.

Grants would only be considered for new video projects. Grant applicants would be required to navigate a two-step application process. Step one requires a brief synopsis of the proposed video project. This synopsis could be submitted in writing or by using an electronic medium. These preliminary grant proposals will provide an overview of the public service content to be addressed. They will also identify who is going to participate in the video production, the ages of the participants, their towns of residence, and the approximate length of the finished video.  A small committee of CTAC Commissioners will examine each of these preliminary proposals for appropriateness of its content and the eligibility of producing team with regard to which category of grant (unrestricted, aged 15 to 18, age 14 and younger) is being sought. Only residents of the three municipalities represented by CTAC are eligible to apply for grants.

Once the CTAC committee has considered all of the preliminary proposals only those applicants whose preliminary proposal had been deemed to meet the grant proposal guidelines could be eligible for the award of a grant. The second round of the program awards grants based on the merits of the video submitted for consideration.  A subcommittee of CTAC, perhaps integrating members from the community with expertise in the area of video production or other applicable experience, will make the final determination for the awarding of the grants.

Grants are to be awarded based on the public service value and esthetic merits of the video submitted.

An announcement of the availability of the CTAC Public Service Grants will be widely disseminated in order to reach as broad a pool of potential grant applicants as possible.

Community institutions such as the libraries, arts organizations, government agencies, religious organizations, community service agencies, local print, broadcast, cable and internet providers will be sought as partners in order to reach out to community members as broadly as possible.

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: April 1, 2015

Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of CTAC was held at CTV Offices at 843 State Street, New Haven, Connecticut, on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy Secretary. Meeting called to order at 6:10.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

Peaches Quinn, Vice Chair (NH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, Secretary (H)

Johnes Ruta (NH)

Sharon Codeanne, COMCAST

Joe Schofield, CTV

Minutes for March meeting approved.

Joe Schofield provided an update on CTV. He said Channel 26 is being reprogrammed and that all locally produced public affairs programs will receive four broadcasts. Schofield also reported on CTV’s first successful use of WiFi to send video from an offsite location to CTV for cablecasting. He also updated the board on financial issues: the CTV audit has been delayed and CTV expects to receive a city property tax exemption on the property at 843 State Street. Joe also noted that Connecticut had included new PEGPETIA funding but that CTV had not received any new money as a result. State funds for the current fiscal year have run out.

Sharon Codeanne gave the COMCAST report. She highlighted the newest high tech COMCAST service, the X-1 Operating Platform. The one-time fee for this service has been lowered from $49.95 to $19.95. Using this service as many as six programs can be videotaped simultaneously for later viewing by customers. It also has a robust search function to locate programs for viewing or for videotaping.

Chairman Weinstein proposed that the Council meet in an extraordinary session between regular monthly meetings to determine how to move forward with CTAC’s initiative to offer incentives for the production of innovative public affairs programs for cablecasting locally. Weinstein also reminded members to seek to fill the many vacancies on the Council.

The April regular meeting of CTAC was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by D. Levy, CTAC secretary

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: March 4, 2015

Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of CTAC was held at Di Matteo’s Restaurant, 2100 Dixwell, Ave. Hamden, Connecticut on Wednesday, March 4, 2015. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy secretary. Meeting called to order at 6:10.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

Peaches Quinn, Vice Chair (NH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, Secretary (H)

Johnes Ruta (NH)

Martha Brogan (NH Library)

The March meeting was held at Di Matteo’s Restaurant in Hamden Plaza because of limited parking at CTV as a result of snow in the parking lot.

New CTAC Member Martha Brogan, the New Haven Library representative, attended.  Introductions were exchanged.  Minutes from the December and February meetings were accepted.

Vice Chair and CTAC contest coordinator Quinn reported that the January 31 deadline for submissions to the CTAC video contest had passed and there were no entrants.  Options for encouraging broader community participation in next year’s contest were debated. Secretary Levy made a motion to broaden the base of possible participants by allowing all community members age 13 to 15 to submit entries. Treasurer Alexander proposed that members vote to cancel the contest in order to reconsider all aspects of the competition. The motion passed.

Chair Weinstein announced that the PEGPETIA funding is now available and that Sacred Heart Academy as well as other local groups are seeking grants to buy equipment. He said it is not clear if the money taken from PEGPETIA grants to support the general fund during the past two years had been restored or if the money now available is the result of the fact that a new budget cycle has begun. The chair also sought input regarding the board’s intention to invite a representative from Frontier Communications to an upcoming meeting.

The March regular meeting of CTAC was adjourned at 7:24 p.m..

Respectfully submitted by D. Levy, CTAC secretary

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: February 4, 2015

Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of CTAC was held at DiMatteo’s Restaurant, 2100 Dixwell, Ave. Hamden, Connecticut on Wednesday, February 4, 2015. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy secretary. Meeting started at 6:00.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

Peaches Quinn, Vice Chair (NH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, Secretary (H)

Sharon Codeanne, COMCAST Representative

CTAC’s January meeting was cancelled due to illness. The February meeting was held at DiMatteo’s Restaurant in Hamden Plaza because of limited parking at CTV as a result of snow in the parking lot.

COMCAST representative Sharon Codeanne presented Chair Weinstein with its annual contribution of a check in the amount of $2,000.00 toward covering CTAC’s administrative expenses. Ms. Codeanne also presented the COMCAST report which highlighted the fact that the annual COMCAST Volunteer Day will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at a location to be announced, in New Haven.

Chair Weinstein asked Ms. Codeanne to look into a customer complaint CTAC received in the mail regarding spotty internet service at Tower One in New Haven.

Vice Chair Quinn reported that to her regret no submissions had been made to the CTAC Excellence in Community Video Award contest by the final deadline of January 31, 2015. Members expressed disappointment that the community had turned a deaf ear to CTAC’s attempt to inspire young people to get involved in community cable programming. Member Levy indicated that next year CTAC should open up the submission process to all community youngsters in our target demographic and use its public relations acumen to encourage participation.

Chair Weinstein presented a draft of testimony on behalf of Area 19 Cable Advisory Council Chairman Gregory Davis. Mr. Davis’ proposed to tax all Connecticut internet subscribers to pay for community access cable programming such as is provided in our cable area by Citizen’s Television. Several members pointed out that many internet-only subscribers would be thereby paying for a cable television service they could not receive.

The February regular meeting of CTAC was adjourned at 7:06 p.m..

Respectfully submitted by D. Levy, CTAC secretary

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: December 11, 2014

A regular monthly meeting of the CTAC was held at Ristorante Luce, 2987 Whitney Ave., Hamden, Connecticut Thursday, December 11, 2014. Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy secretary. Meeting was called to order at 6:12.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

Peaches Quinn, Vice-Chair (NH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, Secretary (H)

Johnes Ruta, (NH)

Jennifer Sacco, non-voting member emeritus, also present

Minutes of November 5, 2014, CTAC meeting accepted.

Chair Weinstein announced that New Haven Mayor Toni Harp had appointed Ms. Martha Brogan of the New Haven Free Public Library to represent New Haven on the CTAC board. Chair Weinstein said he would contact Ms. Brogan to let her know that CTAC meets at the offices of CTV at 843 State Street, New Haven, at 6:00 pm (Pizza at 5:30) on the first Wednesday of each month. Secretary Levy noted that 7 seats remain unfilled.

Chair Weinstein reminded members that a public hearing regarding Frontier Communications’ recent takeover of cable television service from AT&T is scheduled for Dec. 22.

Chair Weinstein suggested that CTAC establish a nominating committee to present a slate to nominees for CTAC leadership positions. Mr. Ruta said that it was premature to establish a nominating committee and that this action should be postponed until the May meeting. No vote was taken on the matter.

COMCAST representative Sharon Codeanne wrote to Chair Weinstein on Dec. 18 to say she was sorry that her schedule precluded her from attending the CTAC December meeting. She also sent a report for December to Chair Weinstein along with a PURA filing which outlined COMCAST rate increases going into effect on Dec. 20. Chair Weinstein forwarded Ms. Codeanne’s letter and the PURA filing to all CTAC members on Dec. 19.

Meeting adjourned at 7:09 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Don Levy, CTAC Secretary

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: November 5, 2014

Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of CTAC was held at CTV, 843 State Street, New Haven, Connecticut, on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. Chair Tad Weinstein, presiding. Don Levy, secretary. Meeting called to order at 6:10.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

Peaches Quinn (NH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, Secretary (H)

Johnes Ruta, (NH)

No CTV or COMCAST representatives.

Minutes of October 1, 2014, meeting approved.

George Alexander reported on the complaint he had filed with Frontier Communications which is the successor cable provider to ATT U-verse. Alexander reported poor service from Frontier including more than one appointment for installation at his home which was missed by the Frontier service technician.

CTAC Vice-Chair Quinn reported that she had reached out to all three school member municipality school districts to make sure they were up to speed on the CTAC Excellence in Public Service Video Contest rules. Quinn has not received any response to her outreach. She indicated that she is concerned that the CTAC Video Excellence contest will receive a small number of entries.

Don Levy reported that he had made reservations for Thursday, December 11, at 6 pm for the annual CTAC dinner meeting at Ristorante Luce restaurant in Hamden. He reported that Jenn Sacco had indicated she would attend the meeting. Chairperson Weinstein asked Levy to send a reminder to all members regarding the location and date for the December meeting two weeks prior to the actual date. Levy said he would send a reminder email notification as requested.

Members were shown the graphics produced by J. Ruta for the new logo for CTAC. Ruta received praise for his work. The sense of the members is that a good start has been made. Ruta was asked to produce one graphic in black and white and in a format which would be appropriate for new CTAC letterhead.  Ruta said that he would do so.

Levy again reminded members that there were eight open seats on CTAC. He asked members to use personal contacts to find people to volunteer to fill these openings.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:00.

Submitted by Don Levy

CTAC Secretary

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: October 1, 2014

Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of CTAC was held at CTV, 843 State Street, New Haven, Connecticut, on Wednesday, October 1, 2014. Chair Tad Weinstein, presiding. Don Levy, secretary. Meeting called to order at 6:07.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

Peaches Quinn (NH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, Secretary (H)

Johnes Ruta, (NH)

Non-member COMCAST Representative: Sharon Codeanne present

Minutes of September 3, 2014, meeting approved.

COMCAST Representative Codeanne presented her report. She reviewed the national C-SPAN video contest which dovetails locally with the current CTAC Excellence in Public Service Video Contest. She reviewed new COMCAST channels and channel changes. She also reported COMCAST’s participation in a service project “ARTE.”

Ms. Codeanne responded to CTAC’s recent requests for information regarding COMCAST policies regarding instructions to COMCAST service representatives with regard to customer requests to terminate service. She indicated that any instructions a local landlord may have received to retain COMCAST equipment rather than to return the equipment to COMCAST was against COMCAST protocols. She cast doubt on the veracity of the customer complaint in the particular case which had been referred to CTAC for resolution. Ms. Condeanne also reported that COMCAST had made a no charge pick up at the building in question in the recent complaint. The sense of the CTAC board was that the complaint had been resolved to the board’s satisfaction.

Chair Weinstein pointed out to Ms. Condeanne that the current plans to close the New Haven COMCAST customer service center and open a new center in North Haven would present a hardship for New Haven and West Haven COMCAST customers without access to a private automobile. Ms. Codeanne pointed out that bus service is available to the new North Haven customer service location and that by consolidating several service areas into the new office customers would be provide greatly improved service with shorter wait times and many automated services including kiosk bill pay.

CTAC member Ruta asked about COMCAST’s commitment to so-called “net neutrality.” Ms. Codeanne reiterated COMCAST’s commitment to “net neutrality.”

CTAC Vice-Chair Quinn reported that she had reached out to all three school boards to make sure they were up to speed on the CTAC Excellence in Public Service Video Contest rules.

Thursday December 11 was set as the date for the annual CTAC dinner meeting.  Members chose Luce restaurant in Hamden as the site and asked Secretary Levy to make reservations for 7 people. Levy was asked to invite former CTAC Secretary J. Sacco to join CTAC at Luce.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:25.

Submitted by Don Levy

CTAC Secretary

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: September 3, 2014

Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of CTAC was held at CTV, 843 State Street, New Haven, Connecticut on Wednesday, September 3, 2014. Chair Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy secretary. Meeting called to order at 6:10.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

Peaches Quinn (NH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, Secretary (H)

Johnes Ruta, (NH)

Non-member CTV Representative: Joe Scofield present

Minutes of August 6, 2014 meeting approved.

Joe presented the CTV report. CTV has purchased hardware capable of live streaming of video from anywhere in three municipality area capable of sending and receiving WiFi. Members expressed interest in this new capacity. Some said live video feeds from public events could enhance the public service component of CTV’s efforts. Joe also indicated that he has not received any indication from AT&T that it is willing to provide the requisite video lines necessary to allow U-verse subscribers to receive the CTV productions that these subscribers are paying for as part of their monthly fees. Joe indicated that the fact that AT&T is going to transfer ownership of the business to another company in the next few months is reason to conclude that they are not going to fund any new service. Joe indicated that he is going to try to connect with a representative of the incoming service to request that that entity provide lines necessary to make CTV programming available to its customers as soon as possible.

George Alexander read large portions of letters he had received on behalf of CTAC from a New Haven landlord and property owner, Jonathon Eaton, which complained of how difficult it had been for him to discontinue COMCAST service and to determine how to return the COMCAST equipment left at his building by a tenant who had moved out.  The board voted to direct Chair Weinstein to contact COMCAST representative Sharon Codeanne. One motion requested that Chair Weinstein ask Ms. Codeanne to research Mr. Eaton’s complaints and to report what she learned to CTAC. A second motion was brought to the floor asking Chair Weinstein to request that Ms. Codeanne ask that the local COMCAST official whose job it is to establish policies in the area of how COMCAST Customer Service representatives handle customer requests to terminate COMCAST service address the next meeting to enlighten the board on policies relating to requests to terminate service. Both motions passed.

Co-Chair Peaches Quinn volunteered to contact the appropriate officials in each of the school districts covered by CTAC to make sure they had been made aware of CTAC’s current Video Excellence Award Contest and to answer any outstanding questions they had. Secretary Levy said he would forward all the contact information he had gathered with regard to the school superintendents to Ms. Quinn to facilitate her outreach.

Secretary Levy noted the number CTAC seats which are vacant and the difficulty of doing CTAC business when a quorum is not present because of the vacancies. Levy volunteered to do personal outreach to find new members from Hamden and asked all other members to make efforts to find new members from their towns as well.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:20.

Submitted by Don Levy

CTAC Secretary