May 1, 2019 Minutes
CTAC Meeting Wednesday, May 1st, 2019
Attendees:
Tad Weinstein – (West Haven._ – Chair
George Alexander – (Hamden) – Treasurer
Peaches Quinn – (New Haven) – Vice Chair
Yvonne Manning-Jones – (New Haven ) – Advisor.
John Jessen – (New Haven Public Library System) – Advisor
Johnes Ruta – (New Haven) – Acting Secretary
Laurel Coleman – (Hamden) – Advisor – joins meeting by telephone.
Meeting convened at 6:14.
- Review of April 3, 2019 Minutes
Two corrections made before meeting,
John Jessen – makes Motion to accept April Minutes. Yvonne seconds this Motion.
Vote unanimous.2. COMCAST Report – Report received from Sharon Codeanne.
Sharon’s report indicates Comcast subscription price increase + $5.00.George Alexander comments on his call to Comcast Service regarding the fuzzy television
signal at his house, the Comcast Service Rep replied: “Buy a new house.” (!!) It is agreed
by all advisors that this was an inappropriate statement by Comcast.Peaches Quinn has two personal complaints about the new Comcast X1 hand-held remote:
“The previous version of the remote was more ergonomic than the newer one.: Peaches has
brought in both examples to demonstrate the lesser usability of the newer remote, asking
“Why was this new design adopted whem it is less ergonomic, especially for people with
hand-usage disabilities ?”Peaches raises a second issue about Comcast: they have recently implemented a new
sreeen-saver on her X1, so that when the screen-saver activates, she could not resume
her TV viewing. She then needed to call Comcast Tech, and then needed to reboot the
cable-box to return to TV ! The Comcast Service Rep said that this might be a cable
connection issue.As there is much discussion of NetFlix as one of the X1 viewing options, Johnes asks
“What is the availability of foreign films on NetFlix, as all available films appear to
be only popular box-office items?”Johnes questions the status of the proposed Bill 6421 in the CT Legislature , which would
regulate cable television rates in CT? None of the members has any news on this issue. - CTV Report – CTV absent.
- CTAC Treasurer’s Report.
The current budget balance is over $10,000.
George Alexander recommends that we make a contribution to the Partnership Center
for Adult Day Care in Hamden. There is a donation matching program in effect, ending
May 31, though this is not “$1 : $1”. George suggests a $3,000 donation for distribution among the three towns of the Partnership Center Adult Day Care program.John Jessen notes that monies given to any Not-For-Profit can be used in any way they wish Peaches points out that George is also the Treasurer for the Partnership Center Adult Day Care program. In effect, this would be a conflict-of-interest for George to administer a donation to this group. Other agencies would be Mary Wade House in Fair Haven, and Senior Housing.Tad makes a Motion to pass George’s proposal. Voting results: 2 in favor: George and Tad,
and 4 against: Peaches, Yvonne, John J, and Johnes. Abstain: Laurel.
Proposal defeated.
Peaches makes a Motion proposal for a contribution to Hamden Day Care for coverage
of the facility’s cable TV subscriptions for their residents. $1,000 to each town, to each
Day Centers. Peaches will identify designated recipients. Johnes seconded this Motion.
Vote: Yes -5, No – 2. Motion carried.
John Jessen says that this action needs time to be thought about. Yvonne says she would
like to see money spent on community subjects.
5. Tad Weinstein’s status at CTAC: Tad states that he still receives mail at his West Haven address,
so that the West Haven Mayor’s office has granted him an extension until September to
serve on CTAC as a representative of West Haven.
Next meeting Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 6:00PM.
Meeting adjourned: 7:20 PM.
May 1, 2019 Minutes respectfully submitted by Johnes Ruta (New Haven) Acting Secretary.