Cable Advisory Council
of Charter Communications

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

~ Minutes ~

Minutes of Public Regular Meeting – Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Newtown, CT

There was a regular meeting of the Cable Advisory Council called to order at 7:04 p.m., Tuesday, September 13th, 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), John Danscuk (Monroe), Gregory Davis (Roxbury), Barry Diamond (Trumbull), Dottie Wrabel (Woodbury),

From Charter: Greg Van Antwerp, Jackie Saulnier (for Len Romano), Bob Spain

PUBLIC INPUT:

No public present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Minutes approved (Motion by Davis, second by Diamond) .

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Although Jill could not attend, we had the July-September 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.  Charter is looking for input from the Council regarding the annual customer survey.  The Council asked for additional time to review the survey and provide input.  Bob Spain suggested we ask Council members to get back with suggestions/questions by September 30.  Kate will distribute the survey to the Council and responses should go to Carmella.  The Council discussed at length the purpose of the survey and Council’s role in developing it.  Bob indicated that this will (again) be a bill insert and that although they do a quarterly telephone survey, the annual survey will be conducted via bill stuffer.  Jackie then reviewed the channel changes mentioned at the last meeting and that some additional VOD channels are in the works.

Bob responded to our question from last meeting regarding notification of planned maintenance.  He indicated that although they do it regularly, they can’t notify every customer of every instance – there isn’t enough lead time to put in the bills and sometimes they don’t know the exact day/time something will happen until just before the event.

Bob mentioned that the registered letters had been sent out last week notifying librarians within the franchise area regarding the grant money.  Bob will follow-up with any libraries that do not respond to the letter.  Council members were asked to check with their local libraries.

Greg told us Trumbull and Newtown educators attended the Educator Open House.

Bob indicated that telephony service would be rolled out in Newtown and Willimantic in early 2006.  They are still working out some issues with SBC.  The service will be VOIP, fully 911 compatible, very competitive in price ($39.95/mo for unlimited local and long distance).  It will be a slow rollout.

COMMUNICATIONS & CORRESPONDENCE:

One customer problem was discussed – an ongoing problem a customer is having with VOD. Bob will pass it onto Brian Downs, the local operations manager, and get it resolved.  Brian can be reached at the main Charter number, extension 44061.

OLD BUSINESS:

Video Festival:  Greg and Kate will work on outreach

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.

Grant process:  postponed, Carl not there.

NEW BUSINESS:

It was pointed out that the next meeting is scheduled for Election Day (November 8^th), it was determined that we should rescheduled the meeting to November 15.

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted by:  Kate Donahue, Secretary

©2005 Cable Advisory Council
Designed by Ben Haase
PC Wizard