Minutes from the Montague Cable Advisory Committee (MCAC) Meeting on 10/13/05
Present: John Reynolds, Mike Naughton, Roy Rosenblatt, Chris Sawyer-Lauçanno, Sam Gilford

Chair, John Reynolds, called the meeting to order at 7:23 p.m.

The first item on the agenda was to discuss how to evaluate proposals due on Oct. 28, 2005. John said he would collect proposals (photocopy if necessary) and distribute to members on Oct. 28. The CAC decided that they would hold the next meeting on Nov. 1 at 7:00 to discuss proposals. The CAC unanimously agreed that, as usual, this would be an open meeting, and that deliberations would be public. Chris asked if we would have a follow-up meeting for presentations from proposers. Mike said he felt that if the proposals were complete we could decide on Nov. 1. Roy added that he didn’t see that we would gain further information from a presentation. Sammy agreed, saying that he didn’t feel we needed additional airing of comments on the same issues. The CAC decided to attempt to make a decision on Nov. 1st. Mike proposed that another meeting be scheduled for the following week just in case the CAC had questions for the proposers. He further suggested that all questions be put in writing and sent to the respective proposers in advance. The CAC agreed unanimously that was a good idea. November 8 was set for a subsequent meeting, if needed.

The next question was to the evaluation process, itself. Roy suggested that we read the proposals over the weekend and come to the meeting on Nov. 1 ready to discuss. Chris noted that we had agreed to weigh the criteria equally, but that we would also review the proposals to ensure that the submission requirements had been met. The CAC agreed that this was the case. Roy suggested that if the basic submission requirements were not met, the proposal could be rejected. The CAC agreed.

The second agenda item was discussion of the letter to be sent to GCTV asking for an accounting and inventory. John presented the letter that he had given the BOS on October 10. The BOS had suggested that a request for accounting be placed first, and inventory request second. The CAC eventually came up with the following:

Dear Mr. Gochinski:

The Montague Board of Selectmen requests an accounting of the funds that have come to you from Comcast for the running of Crocker Studio since November 2001. We are specifically seeking an accounting of funds, both for operational expenses and the purchase of capital equipment expended for providing PEG access in Montague. This should include an accounting of all capital grant money and quarterly payments.

Please provide a line-item presentation of expenditures, by category and position. (See attached sample.) In addition please present an updated inventory of equipment purchased with Montague subscriber money. This inventory should include date of purchase, purchase price, serial number (if applicable) and current estimated value.

Sincerely Yours,
BOS


(This letter was sent, as is, on Oct. 18.)

The meeting adjourned at 8:30.

Respectfully submitted,

Chris Sawyer-Laucanno
Recording Secretary