October 2, 2013 Minutes
MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven
Meeting Date: October 2, 2013
Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of the CTAC was held at CTV, Hamden,
Connecticut on October 2, 2013. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy acting secretary.
Members in attendance:
Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)
George Alexander, Treasurer (H)
Don Levy, (H)
Johnes Ruta, (NH)
Peaches Quinn, (NH)
Joseph Schofield (CTV)
Sharon Codeanne(Comcast)
Chairman Weinstein called the meeting to order at 6:05. A motion was made by Johnes Ruta to accept the minutes of the September 11 meeting. Joe Schofield of CTV pointed out that the minutes as presented failed to accurately reflect the current status of the PROPETIA funds for FY 2013-2014 and FY 2014-2015. Mr. Schofield noted that all of the PROPETIA funds for FY 2013-2014 had been exhausted and that all of the PROPETIA funds for FY 2014-2015 had been repurposed by state lawmakers to help close a projected budget shortfall. Mr. Schofield suggested that the minutes be corrected to reflect the current status of the FY 2014-2015 funds. Mr. Schofield also pointed out that before the 2014-2015 funds had been reappropriated to the General Fund he had been planning to submit a grant proposal on behalf of CTV. Acting Secretary Don Levy indicated that he would correct the minutes of the September 11 meeting to incorporate Mr. Schofield’s corrections. The motion to accept the minutes as amended was made by Mr. Ruta, seconded by Ms. Quinn and passed.
Sharon Coneanne presented the Comcast report. The report reflected two Community Relations initiatives and three marketing changes. The Comcast report indicated that as of November 1, 2013 the reactivation fee for XFINITY TV will increase from $5.00 to $6.00.
George Alexander remarked that he had received a letter from a local Comcast subscriber complaining of being assessed a fee to fix an equipment problem which interrupted his/her service. Ms. Codeanne indicated that Comcast only charges fee to re-establish service if and when the problem was caused by a failure in the customer’s equipment. She indicated she would investigate the specifics which led to this customer’s complaint.
Joe Schofield noted that the CTV staff had produced a live broadcast reporting on the outcome of the recent primary elections in the CTV viewing area. He said the CTV cablecast had been professional and well received and that CTV will also cover the general election on Nov. 5, 2013. The CTAC members informally thanked CTV for
providing an important pubic service by covering these elections. Joe also updated the CTAC members on CTV’s efforts to provide ATT U-Verse customers with CTV-originated programs. Joe pointed out that he hopes that cables are already available to allow ATT customers to receive CTV programming when CTV moves into its new home in January of 2014
The board revisited the discussion regarding the contest CTAC is planning which would provide cash awards to outstanding student-produced video projects. The board will meet at 5:30 on November 6 to discuss each topic.
Chairman Weinstein provided copies of the proposed agenda for the discussion of the proposed CTAC video contest. Treasurer Alexander gave his report indicting that CTAC maintained a balance of $11,712 in its account. He also said that he anticipated the addition of a new Hamden member to the CTAC board to fill a current vacancy.
The October regular meeting of CTAC was adjourned at 7:03.
Respectfully submitted by D. Levy, acting CTAC secretary