September 1, 2010 Minutes

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven – September 1, 2010

Joyce Listro, NH

Johnes Ruta, NH

Peaches Quinn, NH

George Alexander, H treasurer

Tad Weinstein, WH chair

Jen Sacco, H secretary

Carl Lambert, Sr., H

Shalita Sampson, Hamden

Richard Gay, West Haven

Meeting called to order 6:00 p.m. by Tad Weinstein.    CTV representative not present.  Comcast representative not present due to illness.

George moved to approve the minutes; seconded; August minutes approved.

George raised the issue of Comcast high school senior scholarship; we have received a flyer from Comcast.

George reported on the correspondence we have received, including a letter from the DPUC regarding N’Zinga Shani’s complaint that was copied to us, requesting more information from each party (Shani and CTV) regarding their dispute, but we have no later update.

We got another letter as a courtesy regarding the status of the Groton franchise of Comcast and their version of CTV, which Comcast runs.  There is a candidate who would like to take over the running of their public access channel, and Comcast is supportive, yet the town of Groton is fighting it.  George wants the issue of CTV not providing feed to AT&T put on the agenda for our meeting next month, and Peaches agreed to raise the issue to the CTV board meeting.

Check from Comcast was finally received.

Peaches reported about the CTV July meeting that she attended.  CTV brought up the email from Joe Schofield of July 7 about why he would no longer be attending our meetings, and what was being alluded to regarding the legal liabilities our meetings may have subjected CTV to.  Their point of view is that for Joe Schofield to attend our meetings where the ASIM complaint was being considered, he may subject CTV to additional legal liabilities.  So, the CTV board and lawyer asked that he NOT attend our meetings.  CTV board would like to be informed about what topics we would like to have them address, so they can send a relevant board member to our meeting to answer the questions we might have for them.  Joe will come for meetings where we want program review reports, and other members of the CTV board would attend according to our interests, so long as they know in advance.

Johnes raised the issue of where we hold our meetings; George raised the issue that no public space is fully open to every member of the public, as there may be other reasons why other members of the public cannot enter other facilities (like schools, etc.)  In George’s opinion, we cannot move our meeting to accommodate one particular member of the public.  Tad and Joyce also pointed out that wherever we hold our meeting,  it requires that someone from whatever facility be available after business hours to let us in, etc. 

Peaches will attend this month’s meeting of the CTV board, and will ask for an updated financial report about CTV, and also about what is on the horizon regarding AT&T, etc.

George suggested that Peaches become the representative to the CTV board; Peaches agreed on the principle that other people can fill in for her if needed. 

Meeting adjourned  .