Category

CTAC Minutes

8
Feb
2024

January 6, 2024 Minutes

Cable Television Advisory Council

Minutes for Wednesday, January 6, 2024 6:00 pm   ZOOM


Attendance:
    Johnes Ruta, Chair (New Haven)

Tom Costa, Advisor, (New Haven Library System)

Peaches Quinn, Advisor, (New Haven)

George Alexander – Hamden

  1. Call to order 6:08 pm
    November Minutes – Motion to accept from Peaches, seconded by George A. approved unanimously.
  2. Treasurer’s Report – George Alexander
    1. Balance: $5,513.84
      includes receipt of 2024 Allowance $2,000 from Comcast
      includes annual dinner check paid $265.66 for Wood ‘n’ Tap Restaurant, Hamden

 

  1. George states that we need to write our Annual Report to PURA, due by the end of
    February.  This will be a summary of all 2023 Minutes together in one document.
    The Form for this doc is to be found on the PURA website.

 

III.   Comcast – Representative Amy Horan (not in attendance)

George reported Comcast now recognizes customer history across changing  addresses.

 

  1. Old Business
  2. Facebook- No update
  3. 1990s CTAC Archive Project – Tom Costa reports that the project is now completed
    and contained in the New Haven History Room at the New Haven Ive Library.
    Records are sorted by:  1 Years, and 2. Primary important categories, within years.

 

  1. New Business
    a. Request from Joe S. if there is a Final Legislative Report?

    b. GoDaddy emails for CTACForward etc no longer functional because of GoDaddy
    system transfer to MicroSoft 360.   Peaches says she is constructing two new
    email addresses, such as
    [email protected]   for public access.
    [email protected]  for CTAC members internal messaging.

    VI. Subscriber Issues – George – none at this time.

    VII.   Adjournment:
    a. Next Meeting – Wednesday, February 7, 2024 via ZOOM.

    b. Motion to adjourn: George; seconded, Peaches. Respectfully submitted:  Johns Ruta         02-07-2024.

8
Dec
2023

November 1, 2023 Minutes

Cable Television Advisory Council

Minutes for Wednesday, November 1, 2023 6:00 pm

ZOOM

Attendance:     Johnes Ruta, Chair (New Haven)

Tom Costa, Advisor, (New Haven Library System)

Melissa Canham-Clyne (Hamden), EXCUSED

Peaches Quinn, Advisor, (New Haven)

George Alexander – Hamden

  1. Call to order 6:02 pm
  2. Minutes – Motion to approve October minutes

Correction: Check to NHPL was for $900. During same meeting $1,000 was approved for Partnerships.

Motion to accept corrected minutes: Tome; seconded, George. Minutes approved

 

  • Treasurer’s Report (George )
    1. Balance: $3,880.46
    2. October meeting expense- $137.94

Motion to accept Treasurer’s report – Peaches; seconded, Tom. Report approved

 

  1. CTV – Executive Director Joseph Schofield
  2. CTV is pushing through setbacks. Have now recovered about one third of producers (lost to COVID extended shutdown). Staff is performing many functions to recover. Goal: By end of June be back to 100% performance.
  3. Since June, 2022, all studios statewide are under review by state legislative study group. Many questions are being asked. Joe was just notified a draft of their report is being released. There are no recommendations just data/info gathering (30 pages) for legislator consideration.

Report provides a full picture of options for public access (studio) funding. Cable companies would prefer public access goes away with the claim audience isn’t there.  To date, no specifics on basis of that conclusion. *

CTV has been continuing to receive quarterly checks. The amount has dwindled, but currently stable (as subscribers drop cable). One proposed option: turn over public access operations to the towns. Joe’s belief, shared by others, is such a move would be disastrous and not in the best interest of sustaining public access operation.

*Note: Cable companies pay 5% of their revenue to the state, but not all  the 5% actually goes to public access.

Per Joe, best scenario: charge a fee to cable and internet only customers. CTV also looking at merits of establishing a “subscription” membership to generate revenue

  1. Joe believes all public access studios will organize to lobby legislators.
  2. Joe felt by January, our meetings could return to CTV studio.
  3. Comcast – Representative Amy Horan (not in attendance)

George reported Comcast now recognizes customer history across changing addresses.

 

  1. Old Business

Facebook- No update

Website – Latest minutes are uploaded (September)

Our CTV/CTAC PSA – No activity. Assume it’s defunct

 

  • Subscriber Issues – George

None

  • Adjournment:
  1. Next Meeting – December 6 – Wood n Tap, Hamden
  2. Motion to adjourn: George; seconded, Peaches

Adjourned 7:12pm

Respectfully submitted: PQ

 

6
Nov
2023

October 4, 2023 Minutes

Cable Television Advisory Council

Minutes for Wednesday, October 4th , 2023 6:00 pm
Monthly Meeting –  DeLegna NoLo Restaurant

 

Attendance:     Johnes Ruta, Chair (New Haven)
Tom Costa, Advisor,  (New Haven Library System)
Melissa Canham-Clyne, Advisor  (Hamden)
Peaches Quinn, Advisor, (New Haven)    via ZOOM

  1. Call to order 6:08 pm
  2. Minutes – agenda topic was not addressed at this restaurant meeting due to
    service commotion.
  • Treasurer’s Report (George Alexander – not in attendance)
    No report provided.
    b.   Members present discuss better protocol to receive Comcast check physical
    arrival to New Haven Free Public Library(NHFPL)  for CTAC gift to the
    John Jessen Memorial Fund:  check arrived at NHFPL Mail Room in September
    but then was circulated around the Lib offices until finally reached its destination
    after several days!
  1. CTV – Executive Director Joseph Schofield, not in attendance
  2. Comcast – Representative Amy Horan, not in attendance

George Alexander had sent Comcast an email regarding current rewards for Comcast customers and clarifications requested on Reward status levels – Amy
Horan reports that she has responded and resolved this matter, and  requests
notice if there is still an ongoing or subsequent issue, so that she will look into any further problem.

 

  1. Old Business
  2. The Committee again discussed asking Joe Schofield if he would to delegate someone
    from CTV to work with this Board, considering his current absences.

  3. No update was available on the CTAC Public Services Announcement.

  4. Issue of the fee of 84 cents to be added to cable franchise billing for Internet
    subscribers, in addition to existing cable billing for cable television subscribers,
    for the purpose of increasing available revenues for Local Access channels in CT.
    It was noted that State Rep. Needleman (D) stated that he proposed a “study” for
    new Legislative Bill because the Bill in the last Leg. Session had expired, after
    the Office of Legislative Research had intercepted the finalized Bill with an
    unauthorized Amendment meant to terminate Cable franchises’ support for
    Local Access channels and Cable Television Advisory Councils. Needleman
    proposed a “study” for a subsequent Bill.
    d.   Two CTAC Awards totaling $1,900  were distributed in September:
    (1) $1000 to Partnership, received.
    (2) $900 to the New Haven Library Foundation in memory of late City Librarian
    John Jessen.  This postal mail envelope with the $900 check enclosed went                 astray, as the delivery address was accidentally defaced in the USPS machine
    and went to the “Dead Letter Office.”  It was eventually traced there by George       Alexander and then delivered to the New Haven Free Public Library.Johnes Ruta makes Motion that future checks be hand-delivered to recipients
    whenever possible. Melissa Canham-Clyne seconds this Motion. Carried.

 

  • New Business
  1. Johnes previously discussed his group email address was eliminated by GoDaddy,
    thus requiring Johnes to now redirect all Board emails to member’s individually-
    provided email addresses. George Alexander has investigated and determined
    that GoDaddy discontinued email service under its website hosting plans.
    b. Johnes proposes that CTAC initial regular contact with our State Legislators to
    promote Cable television and related internet equality issues.  Tom Costa identifies
    a legislator for zipcode 06510 as Roland LeMar. 
  • Subscriber Issues

 

  1. Adjournment: Tom Costa makes a Motion for Meeting Adjournment at 6:55 PM. Peaches seconded. Carried.   Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday November 1
1
Nov
2023

September 6, 2023 Minutes

Cable Television Advisory Council

Minutes for Wednesday,
Sept. 6th, 2023 6:00 pm
Monthly Meeting–  Zoom Meeting

 

Attendance:    Johnes Ruta, Chair (New Haven)
George Alexander, Treasurer, (Hamden)
Tom Costa, Advisor,  (New Haven Library System)
Peaches Quinn, Advisor, (New Haven)    via ZOOM

  1. Call to order 6:05 pm
  2. Treasurer’s Report (George Alexander)
  3. Present Funds Balance: $5,918.40
  4. Johnes made motion to accept Treasurer’s Report. Tom seconded.

 

  • CTV – Executive Director Joseph Schofield, not in attendance
  1. Comcast – Representative Amy Horan, not in attendance
  2. George had sent Comcast an email regarding current rewards for Comcast customers and clarifications requested on Reward status levels – but received no reply to his email.
  3. CTV is seeking a clarification of Reward Levels from Representative Amy.
  4. Old Business

Johnes discussed his having contacted Joe Schofield for Technical issues, which were then corrected. The Committee then discussed asking Joe if he would like to delegate someone to work with this Board, considering his current absences.

No update was available on the CTAC public services agreement.

George reported that the Facebook and CTV websites were up to date.

 

  1. New Business

After brief discussion, George made a motion to provide a Community Award of $1000 to “Partnerships” in Hamden and an additional $900 Community Award, in memory of John Jessen, to New Haven Free Public Library. Johnes seconded. So approved.

 

Johnes discussed his upcoming plan to contact Mr. John Arabolos, ex-faculty emeritus member at the University of New Haven (in West Haven) regarding having a prospective CTV Board member join CTV to represent West Haven.

 

George reported that the CTV Board’s prior member/group email address was eliminated by GoDaddy, thus requiring Johnes to now redirect all Board emails to member’s individually-provided email addresses.

 

In response to a query, Tom reported that the New Haven Library Board has in fact compensated artist Frank Bruckman for his 2023 artistic portrait of former Library Director John Jessen.

 

  • Subscriber Issues

George has not received any new subscriber account information.

 

  • Meeting Adjournment

George moved that we adjourn at 7:10 PM. Peaches seconded the adjournment.

6
Jun
2023

May 7, 2023 Minutes

 Cable Television Advisory Council

Minutes for Wednesday,
May 7th, 2023 6:00 pm
Monthly Meeting– ZOOM

Attendance:     Johnes Ruta, Chair (New Haven)
George Alexander, Treasurer, (Hamden)
Peaches Quinn, Advisor, (New Haven)
Tom Costa,  Advisor  (New Haven Library System)
Melissa Canham-Clyne, Advisor  (Hamden)

  1. Call to order 6:07 pm
  2. Welcome and Minutes
    a.  Johnes will write Minutes for May 7 meeting.
    b.  There were no April Minutes because only Johnes and Tom were in attendance, and no quorum
    was achieved.
    c.  March Minutes by Tom. No changes have been requested. Tom Costa makes Motion to approve the
    March Minutes as submitted. Johnes seconded. Unanimous approval.III.
  3. Treasurer’s Report (George Alexander)
    a. 
    Present Funds Balance:  $6,655.42.
    b.  Year-to-date expenditures:  $0.00.
    c.  Johnes moved to accept the Treasurer’s Financial report. Mr. Costa seconded. Unanimous approval.IV.       CTV – Executive Director Joseph Schofield, not in attendance
  4. Joseph Schofield’s email is non-operational.
    b. The CTV offices on state Street are still closed to the public since onset of Covid-19. The video studios
    are not available to producers.
  5. Comcast –– Comcast Representative Amy Horan, not in attendance. No email messages received in February.


However, George reads letter from a Comcast subscriber named Luay Szigeti at 2420 Whitney Avenue,
Apt A7, Hamden 06518, about an incident in March 2020 during a service call, stating that a Comcast serviceperson working on wiring on the street verbally assaulted the subscriber. George describes that this
notice came as a greeting card  to the CTAC P.O. Box at Brewery Street Station, dated September 2022.
In her letter to CTAC, Ms. Szigeti states her age as 60 years, and that she had previously complained of this
incident and discussed this with Comcast Customer Service, but as of Sept 2022, there had yet been no sub-
sequent follow-up to her from Comcast. We as a council discuss the seriousness of this complaint, and
determine to contact the subscriber, and our Comcast rep Amy Horan.  Melissa agrees to contact the subscriber and to follow-up with our Comcast rep.

  1. Old Business

a    CTAC Public Service Announcement, recorded in early 2020, with the CTAC members at that time,
has not yet been released to run on the air at CTV. PSA.
b.  Since the Dec. 2022 resignation of Yvonne Manning-Jones CTAC Facebook page, will now be attended
by George Alexander, along with his work on the cableadvisory.org website, which is presently up-to-date.

c.   Johnes asks about any outstanding CT Legislative Bills and/or Amendments. Peaches says she has been
continuing research on Legislative activities, and has read through 30 Bills for any amendments having
to do with cable TV, CTV, or the Cable advisories of CT. Johnes inquires the names of legislators now
on the Energy & Technology Committee; Peaches recommends review of website  cga.ct.gov for updated
list of committee members – see Committees link to Energy & Technology, then Membership.
But that the Legislature is now out-of-session until the September-October 2023 time-frame. West Haven
(in our district) has a Committee  member named Charles Ferraro (R).

However, the department that CTACs report to, namely the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
(PURA) is under the authority of the Executive Branch of the State of CT, not the Legislative.

The legislative Bill SB-16 regarding PURA’s authority, had been amended after the end of the previous
       Legislative Session by certain legislators seeking to terminate cable franchises required funding of
Community Access channels and Cable Advisory Councils in Connecticut, but these amendments
were detected by editing Overseers, so that the entire Bill had been canceled in this session pending
a rewrite.

VII.      New Business
a. Note from previous Minutes: The membership of CTAC for Hamden, New Haven, West Haven is still
presently incomplete. This is discussed, and we agree that we need to develop new strategies for recruitment
to our Council especially for West Haven which presently has no representation with us. We need further
outreach for membership for to Boards of Education for school systems, one for each city in our district.
VIII.    Subscriber Issues

  1. Note from previous Minutes: Subscriber Correspondence: Difficulties with the GoDaddy website make
    it hard to access  complaints. The site suffers a large amount of spam. A filter is needed.

  2. Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2023 6:00 pm, possibly for an outdoor dining meeting, at
    Wood n Tap, Hamden restaurant location.  (Reservations made for six members.)
  3. Meeting Adjourns at 6:44. Melissa Canham-Clyne makes Motion to Adjourn. Peaches Quinn seconded.
    Unanimous approval.

Minutes for May 7th, 2023 meeting respectfully submitted by Johnes Ruta,  05/30/2023.

6
May
2023

March 1, 2023 Minutes

Cable Television Advisory Council

Minutes for Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 6:00 pm Monthly Meeting– ZOOM

Attendance:   Johnes Ruta, Chair (New Haven)
George Alexander, Treasurer, (Hamden)
Tom Costa, Advisor  (New Haven Library System)
Melissa Canham-Clyne, Advisor  (Hamden)

  1. Call to order 6:07 pm
  2. Welcome and Minutes
    a.  Johnes will write Minutes for March 1 meeting.
    b.  February Minutes  by Melissa. No changes have been requested.
    Johnes makes Motion to approve the February as submitted.  Tom Costa seconded. Unanimous approval.

    III.       Treasurer’s Report (George Alexander)
    a. 
    Present Funds Balance:  $6,655.42 (same as February, Interest accrued: $0.00).
    b.  Year-to-date expenditures:  $0.00.
    c.  Johnes moved to accept the Treasurer’s report. Mr. Costa seconded. Unanimous approval.

  3. CTV – Executive Director Joseph Schofield, not in attendance
  4. Joseph Schofield’s email is non-operational.
    b. The CTV offices on state Street are still closed to the public since onset of Covid-19. The video studios are not available to producers.
  5. Comcast –– Comcast Representative Amy Horan, not in attendance. No email messages received in February.

 

  1. Old Business
  2. CTAC Public Service Announcement: This has not been updated. Yvonne Manning-Jones, who was handling the PSA, CTAC Facebook page, and the CTAC website cableadvisory.org has resigned CTAC effective December, 2022.

    b.   PSA, CTAC Facebook page, and the CTAC website cableadvisory.org will now be attended by George Alexander.  George reports that only the website is attended by George Alexander and only the website is up-to-date.

    c.   Community Awards, 2023 planning:  Melissa states that CTAC cold give up to $2000 to community facilities, such as convalescent homes, which have a cable television subscription to Comcast. Hannah Gray does not have Comacast. Partnerships Adult Day Center (Hamden) does have a Comcast Cable and Internet subscription and would greatly appreciate a grant. CTAC spending on this matter has been low due to lack of Comcast subscriptions in the field.

 

VII.      New Business
a. Melissa Canham-Clyne and Tom Costa remark on the present attrition of CTAC membership, with the recent resignation of  Anthony Cardo, Laurel Coleman and Yvonne Manning-Jones, that we need to develop new tactics for recruitment to our Council. West Haven presently has no representation with us.
We need further outreach for membership for to Boards of Education for school systems, one for each city in our district.

b. We discuss a new strategy: to reach out specifically to young people for participation, especially to students in Business Studies programs.

c.  We discuss the ongoing purpose of CTAC, in light of CT legislative proposals to reduce cable companies’ budget allocations for Community television and Cable Advisory budgets, according to Cable advisory By-Laws. There is presently a legislative Bill SB-16 regarding PURA’s authority.

VIII.    Subscriber Issues

  1. Subscriber Correspondence: Difficulties with GoDaddy website make it hard to access complaints. The  site suffers a large amount of spam.
  2. Johnes again brings up the issue of phishing emails with  @Comcast,net extension addresses trying to obtain Comcast subscribers personal account info by trickery. Johnes has repeatedly forwarded these false emails to Comcast Security and Abuse Department requesting investigation for fraudulent activities, but has not received any acknowledgment from that department.
  3. Next meeting scheduled for April 5, 2023 6:00pm on ZOOM, or possibly for an outdoor dining meeting.

Meeting Adjourns at 7:04. Ms. Canham-Clyne moved. Mr. Alexander seconded. Anonymous  approval.

Minutes for March 1st, 2023 meeting respectfully submitted by Johnes Ruta,  03/28/2023.

19
Mar
2023

February 1, 2023 Minutes

Cable Television Advisory Council
Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 6:00 pm Monthly Meeting – ZOOM

Attendance: Johnes Ruta, George Alexander, Tom Costa, Amy Horan, Melissa Canham-Clyne
Call to order 6:11 pm
Welcome and Minutes – January Minutes. Minor change made with typo in paragraph seven, to “t”s typo. Mr. Alexander moved to accept the minutes. Mr. Costa seconded. Unanimous approval.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer: George Alexander:
YTD funds balance. Received $2000 from Comcast. $271.22 spent on December meeting. Balance effective today: $6655.42. Ms. Canham-Clyne moved to accept the Treasurer’s report. Mr. Costa seconded. Unanimous approval.
CTV – Executive Director Joseph Schofield, not in attendance
Report
Issues/Topics
Comcast –– Comcast Representative Amy Horan
Report –
Shared information about community initiatives being undertaken by Comcast. Below this information is shared;
Comcast is continuing our partnerships this year with Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Haven, Freddy Fixer Parade, Urban League of Southern CT and United Way of Greater New Haven. As part of our partnership with the United Way of Greater New Haven we are working on some Team Up events – specifically volunteering for Read Across America in March at Clinton AvenueSchool and a project in April timeframe.
We will also continue to work with Concepts for Adaptive Learning as part of a $50K grant they received last year as part of our Adoption Innovation Fund to promote outreach and connection to the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Issues/topics:
Discussion ensued about rate increases that occurred in December. Rate increases are reflective of increases in the industry [i.e. broadcasting fees]. Bundles should have been protected. If a rate increase occurred in the bundle, the account can be reviewed to see what might have happened to the bundle. Committee asked for a list of bundle packages that may have rate increase protection. Committee recommended that Comcast review policies to make it easier for the customer to understand bundle/service price points and expiration dates.
Comcast Abuse Dept. is aware of fraudulent announcements from Comcast. Comcast does notify customers with security updates. Discussion about how Comcast follows up on reports of fraud.
Old Business
CTAC Public Service Announcement: This has not been updated.
Facebook/Website Update:
Update regarding GoDaddy: Mr. Alexander suggested that current membership be added to the account. It is difficult to remove previous members from the account. Ms. Manning-Jones offered to act as a community volunteer and update our Facebook account.
Community Awards 2023 planning:
Ms. Canham-Clyne will contact Hannah Grey and Mr. Alexander will contact Partnerships Adult Day Center to see if these organizations still use Comcast.
Subscriber Issues
Subscriber Correspondence: Difficulties with GoDaddy website make it hard to access complaints. The site suffers a large amount of spam.
Other
New Business
Meeting Adjourns at 7:08. Ms. Canham-Clyne moved. Mr. Alexander seconded. Anonymous approval.
Next meeting March 1

30
Jan
2023

January 4, 2023 Minutes

Minutes from the Cable Television Advisory Council
Zoom Meeting for January 4th, 2023
Advisors Present:
Johnes Ruta – Chairperson & turn for Secretary (New Haven)
George Alexander – Treasurer (Hamden) 
Peaches Quinn – Advisor (New Haven)
Melissa Canham-Clyne – Advisor (Hamden) 
Yvonne Manning-Jones – Advisor (New Haven) 
Tom Costa – Advisor (New Haven Library System)
 
 Providers:
Joe Schofield – CTV Representative – Absent
Amy Horan – Comcast Representative – Absent 


I. Call to Order & Roll Call: 6:06 Meeting held via Zoom. 
 
II. Minutes 
 a. November Minutes. George makes Motion to approve. Peaches Quinn seconds the Motion. 
 Vote unanimous.
b. December Minutes – Minutes were not recorded officially as the meeting at Wood n Tap 
 Restaurant did not have a quorum.
III. Treasurer’s Report George Alexander: 
 a. YTD funds balance: $4,655.42 was reduced by the December meeting dinner check at 
 Wood n Tap by $271.54. 
 
 b. Connex reported an attempt to change the VISA password December 14, the same night 
 our dinner at Wood n Tap, and also again on 12/15. Peaches and I compare the credit-card 
 account numbers on our cards – which are different as they should be. 
 
 c. Amy Horan from Comcast had sent a request to confirm George Alexander’s mailing 
 address, in advance of sending the annual check from Comcast for the CTAC Budget. 

IV. CTV – Executive Director Joseph Schofield – No Report received. 

V. Comcast –– Comcast Representative Amy Horan – No report.
VI. Old Business 
 a. George Alexander invited Walt Bradley, formerly of CTV, to attend our Wednesday meeting on the prospect for Walt to join CTAC as Hamden advisor, as we have a vacancy for a Hamden advisor.. Walt has not attended this meeting.
b. The Council discusses strategies to enlist new members for vacant seats of CTAC, 
 especially West Haven which is currently not represented. 
 
 c. Peaches discusses CTAC Facebook updates which Yvonne has offered to perform 
 “as a citizen volunteer.” 

 d. Community Awards: Johnes questions whether there were be any Community Awards given for 2023. Melissa says that she and Yvonne are working on these, and developing award criteria for selection. 

 e. George recommends that CTAC decide on not-for-profit organizations as had been arranged in the past. One organization is the Q-House in Hamden, and the other the Hannah Grey 
 Center in New Haven, which are both in need of support. Johnes agrees that this is 
 a worthwhile purpose.
VII. New Business 

 a. George states that he has tried to remove Laurel Coleman’s, Tad Weinstein, and Anthony 
 Cardo’s names from the GoDaddy Microsoft-365 CTACForward group distribution list, 
 and to add Walter Bradley’s email address. But was unable to effect this task, as he attempted 
 to contact the Comcast Help Line, but was redirected to Microsoft, and waited on hold for 
 23 minutes on the first attempt call, and 42 minutes on the second call attempt. His call was 
 then redirected to Comcast. George says he is unable to make any changes to the Distribution 
 List. 

 b. Peaches asks George what is the advantage to use the Microsoft app, when it is impossible 
 to maintain up to date. ?
c. Legislation: CT Senate Bill SB278 – Changes to the fee schedule for the distribution of 
 the 85 cent charge to be added to the non-Cable-TV subscription customer bills. Peaches 
 recounts her discovery this amendment on the Senate Bill had been excised from the 
 Final version of the Bill – and with it, the entire clause for the ongoing support of 
 Community Access channels, citizens television, and the Cable Advisory groups, 
 (and possibly CTAC groups) – being deliberately sabotaged !. At the last minute, 
 the Office of Legislative Research detected that the Bill was deleting all Public 
 Access TV, and they called the Assembly back into session, and replaced it was a clause 
 for a two-year study. Peaches explains the Streaming Services still will not be required 
 to collect the 85 cent fee per internet subscription bill. 

 d. Tom reports that the CTAC 1990s Archiving Project at the New Haven Public Library 
 is still ongoing, presently waiting for staff assignments to be replenished there. 

 e. Subscriber Correspondence – none.
VIII. Meeting Adjournment 
 George makes Motion to adjourn. Peaches second this Motion. Carried.
 Meeting Adjourned at 7:05 pm. 
 The next CTAC meeting set for Wednesday, February 1st, 2023, at 6:00 PM 
 via Zoom. January Minutes submitted by Johnes Ruta 01/30/2023.

2
Nov
2022

November 2, 2022 Minutes

Advisors Present:
 Johnes Ruta – Chairperson (New Haven)
 George Alexander – Treasurer (Hamden)
 Yvonne Manning-Jones – Advisor (New Haven)
 Melissa Canham-Clyne – Advisor (Hamden)
 Tom Costa – Advisor (New Haven Library System)
Advisors absent:
 Peaches Quinn – Advisor (New Haven)
 Laurel Coleman – Vice-Chair (Hamden) – On Leave
Providers:
 None present.
I. Call to Order & Roll Call:  6:00 pm Meeting held via Zoom
II. September Minutes
    George moved to approve the September 2022 minutes and Melissa seconded. Vote is unanimous.
III. Treasurer’s Report
      George gave a Treasurer’s Update: Account balance $5052.64.  The only expense for October 2022: $123.76 for officers meeting. Johnes made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report. Tom seconded. Vote to accept was unanimous.
IV. CTV Community Television
     Joe Schofield was not present. No report.
V.  Provider was not present. The increase in Comcast’s data speed was noted – as detailed in Amy’s email.
VI. Frontier Report
      No report.
VII. Old Business
       General information is to be provided on Facebook regarding New Haven’s plans to improve internet infrastructure. Also, on Facebook, CATV meeting dates are kept up to date.
       Tom mentioned he approached two West Haven resident professionals in regard to joining the Cable Board – no acceptance from either, to date. Also, Tom reported that the Board’s historical documents were soon to be delivered to NHFPL – to there evaluate the work of indexing and adding to the collection. (Note: documents delivered.)
VIII. Subscriber Issues
        A motion was made to request email input from subscribers, as well as to request postal letters. Motion passed.
IX.   New Business
        Melissa noted the need to recruit new Board members and all agreed that this was important going forward. Ideas were requested regarding legislators to potentially invite to a meeting next year. Yvonne made a motion that we explore a special holiday meeting for December 2022. Motion was seconded by Johnes, who will provide a list of possible meeting locations via email. Bylaws were checked regarding the procedure to follow in event of a meeting cancellation.
        Per bylaws, the Chair/President is able to determine/arrange an alternate date for that month.
X.     Meeting Adjournment
         7:01 pm  Melissa made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Johnes.
         The motion is approved unanimously.
Duly Submitted,

Tom Costa

Acting (November 2022) Recording Secretary

30
Oct
2022

September 7, 2022 Minutes

Minutes from the Cable Television Advisory Council Zoom Meeting for September 7, 2022
Advisors Present:
Peaches Quinn – Chairperson (New Haven)
George Alexander – Treasurer (Hamden)
Yvonne Manning-Jones – Advisor (New Haven) 
Melissa Canham-Clyne – Advisor (Hamden) 
Johnes Ruta – Secretary (New Haven)
Amy Horan – Comcast Representative 

 Advisors absent:
Laurel Coleman — Vice-Chair (Hamden) 
Tom Costa – Advisor (New Haven Library System)
 
 Providers:
Joe Schofield – CTV Representative – Absent


. Call to Order & Roll Call: 6:07 Meeting held via Zoom.

Mutual introductions with the Council member Amy Horan, the new Comcast 
 Representative. 

II. July Meeting Minutes 

 George pointed out two typos still in the Final Draft version: There are two 
 Roman numeral designations for New Business – III and IX. Johnes indicates 
 these were because the topic of New Business came up a second time chronologically 
 in the meeting. Johnes will consolidate these and re-submit. Approval vote therefore 
 is delayed. 

III. Treasurer’s Report 

 George Alexander reported a current balance of $5,200.33 in the council’s checking 
 account. Previous charges were $300 for CTAC meeting at Playwright Grill June dinner (no alcohol was included in the bill); also a $500 Donation to the New Haven Public Library John Jessen Memorial Fund (Mr. Jessen was New Haven City Librarian and previously a member of CTAC). No changes since the July meeting. 

IV. CTV Community Television – Joe Schofield’s Report 
 a. Joe Schofield was not present. No report. 
 b. CTV studios are still closed to production sessions due to Covid. 
 c. The CTAC Public Service Announcement is not yet being shown of CTV channels 
 because the CTV studios are still closed to the public and CTV I short-staffed.

 d. Addendum: The Connecticut state Legislature has passed new Community 
 Access fees for all Cable and Internet (streaming & internet browser access, 
 new fees to take effect on October 1st, this year.

V. Comcast Report – Amy Horan’s Report

 a. Amy Horan reported the continuation of the “Internet Essentials” program, 
 and that the monthly fee has dropped from $29.99 to $9.99 for eligible 
 subscribers who do not already have discount services. Subscribers qualify 
 who have Medicade, SNAP, SSI, or Survivor’s Pensions Program. 
 Melissa Canham-Coyne also adds that some subscribers can also qualify for 
 equipment, such as $149 for a laptop. Possibly can qualify for that at $0.00. 


 b. Comcast’s offer for their Internet Only package rate is $39.99 per month, 
 available to those currently subscribed. 

 c. George Alexander raises question regarding public complaints of high rates 
 for extras such as HBO, Showtime, etc. 
 George asks” “What is the minimum rate for internet service only? 
 Amy Horan replies that this low-cost subscription option will be available 
 for the next 5 years. She notes that the outreach offer for this program has 
 received few responses, and that her office is working hard to get the message 
 out. Peaches Quinn notes that “messages don’t always work…”
VI. Election and installation of new CTAC Officers as required by our By-Laws. 

 Johnes Ruta was elected as new Chairperson.
 George Alexander was elected to remain as Treasurer. 
 Co-Chair office was nominated. 
 Secretary was not nominated, but determined to be a “rotating office by all members. 

 Peaches Quinn make a Motion to accept this slate of Officers. Johnes Ruta seconds 
 this Motion. Vote is unanimous of attendees. 

VII. New Business 
 a. Peaches Quinn specifies the By-Laws Requirement of the Annual Yearly CTAC 
 Report to PURA. “There is half of a year to prepare this report.”
 
 b. Topics needing to be addressed at the October meeting next month:
(1) Internet Access for the public. 

 (2) Membership positions needing to be filled: West Haven has not provided 
 CTAC Member Representative since resignation of Tad Weinstein in 2019. 

 c. Melissa Canham-Coyne mentions a new public service radio station operating 
 in Hamden, that CTAC should contact for broadcast of our PSAs. 

Meeting Adjournment 
 
 The next CTAC meeting set for Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, at 6:00 PM, 
 rather than the first Wednesday of the month this time.
 
7:15 PM, Peaches Quinn makes a Motion to adjourn the meeting, 2nded by Johnes Ruta. 
 The Motion is approved unanimously. 

 Minutes Submitted 09/28/2022 by: Johnes Ruta.

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