Cable Advisory Council
of Charter Communications

CABLE ADVISORY COUNCIL
P. O. Box 87
Newtown, Connecticut
 

~ Minutes ~

Minutes of Public Regular Meeting – Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Newtown, CT

There was a regular meeting of the Cable Advisory Council called to order at 7:07 p.m., Tuesday, July 12th, 2005 by Chairperson, Carmella Amodeo at the Charter Communications facility, Newtown, Connecticut.

ATTENDEES:

Eugene Rosen (Newtown), Carmella Amodeo (Newtown), Steve Donahue (New Milford), Kate Donahue (Trumbull), George Linkletter (Sherman), John Danscuk (Monroe), Carl DeVoe (New Milford), Gregory Davis (Roxbury)

From Charter: Greg Van Antwerp, Jackie Saulnier (for Len Romano), John Palinkas.

PUBLIC INPUT:

No public present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Minutes approved (Motion by Linkletter, second by Rosen) – absention DeVoe and Danscuk.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Although Jill could not attend, we had the March-May and May-July report. Both we accepted unanimously.  It was suggested that Jill review the money market vs CD rates for the best deal.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS REPORT:

Jackie Saulnier reported for Len Romano in marketing.  The Council asked if a customer pays online how they will know of the Advisory Council since it’s listed on the bill.  A suggestion was made to notify customers of regular, planned maintenance – perhaps on the bills.  It was also suggested that Charter proactively find a way to let Pipeline customers know of unplanned outages.  Carmella noted three instances of Charter selling and IP address for the school system to another Charter customer – what procedures are being put in place to prevent that from happening again?  Greg Davis requested that Charter provide a Pipeline representative to the Advisory Council meetings.  Carl pointed out that the Advisory Council is technically only responsible for cable service only.  John Palinkas promised, nonetheless, to get some answers for our next meeting.  We also requested getting CSR statistics on Pipeline vs cable customers.  Palinkas reiterated Charter’s willingness to resolve any customer problems.

Jackie announced that telephony service will be launched in Connecticut in October.  The channel lineup changes mentioned at the last meeting are now in effect.  The DVR product is doing well.  There was a question about the WINK channel. Kate offered to determine if they still exist.  Charter offered to provide the Council with a copy of the Charter Communications Initiatives for 2005 Customer Care.

Palikas reviewed the settlement terms of phone answering compliance issue.  DPUC brought problem to Charter’s attention, it is being resolved.  $100k will be distributed to the main libraries in the towns served within 90 days of the settlement acceptance.

COMMUNICATIONS & CORRESPONDENCE:

One subscriber problem was discussed – the Newtown First Selectman.  Greg helped get the problem solved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Video Festival:  Kate did not do the flyer before school was let out.  She will get it done and work with Greg to get it distributed when school resumes.  Greg Davis offered to work with Jill Zaloski on next year’s festival including notifying local papers, getting judges, arranging for viewing and the awards ceremony.

Officer election:  Carl nominated the current slate (Carmella, Chairman; Jim Lang, Vice Chair; Kate, Secretary and Jill, Treasurer.  We couldn’t vote because Jim and Jill weren’t there.  Vote next meeting. 

Audit:  postponed to next meeting because Jill wasn’t there.

NEW BUSINESS:

Carl discussed the Brookfield Education Foundation, which was created to fund a TV studio at Brookfield High School in support of their Channel 17.  In the past, Carl said the Advisory Council has awarded grants for this sort of thing.  They are trying to raise $35k.  The group discussed the issue and determined that although we support the project in concept, we are currently operating at an annual deficit.  Carmella suggested that we set aside an amount each year for these kinds of grants.  Carl offered to look at the criteria used in the past and report back at the next meeting.

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:58 PM.

Respectfully submitted by:  Kate Donahue, Secretary

©2005 Cable Advisory Council
Designed by Ben Haase
PC Wizard