uh to order. And uh if we could do the pledge, please. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> Thank you all for joining us tonight. I appreciate it. and uh Shauna, thank you for representing the select board and uh being here with us tonight. Um uh first order of business is to review and
approve the minutes of December 9th. If someone could make a motion or if you have any questions about that, >> make a motion to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Uh, next on
the agenda, and we don't have a whole lot tonight, so uh, there are a few things we wanted to talk about, but uh, John has his director's report. >> Yep. Just call it up here. I just want to make it easier to read.
Um, it's good to see everyone around the table again. Um, so, uh, my report for March, um, it's not really April, uh, report, but, uh, we had a killer month with programming. We did, um, over 23
original shows we created. Valerie did 21 meetings and, um, that's not counting my, uh, students daily uh, daily news broadcast. So, if you wanted to count that, that's another 20. So, that's well over 50 programs for the whole month.
And I think that's um pretty impressive for basically a three and a half um person department. Um all that translated on YouTube with over 6,000 views. Um a big part of it, a big part, but a
percentage of that was we covered the election um pretty strongly. We're at all the meet the candidate, ask the candidate events. We had candidates come in and film things. Valerie did a live uh result show the night of um that was all her. She produced it and was there
filming it all. So she really crushed that. Um a new program Stuntton called What's Buzzing. This is of town resident Lisa Costa. Uh it's going around and she's interviewing people in town and it's more of a backstory on them and she's
done two episodes. one one's only been posted so far, but uh she's really u a creative lady and she's really wants to uh do this and I think it's going to be pretty successful. Uh school side um coming up the next two
months are going to be very busy with a bunch of year-end uh school things, graduations. Uh we have town meeting in a couple of weeks. Um, next is Shoreline's newspapers coming in to do a story on my Wildcat News
students broadcast. They'll be in next week, so we'll be on the lookout of um for that story. And uh I have it here, but um I'll talk about it. It's also an agenda item about the small meeting room in the town hall that we're going to be
renovating. Okay, >> that's it. You guys have any questions? >> Oh, great job. >> Yeah, as well. Thank you. >> Yeah, I just had a question. I wanted to know how's the how's the school facilities working out? Equipment there,
is that working out? The studio that's there? >> Yeah, I have everything I need. I mean, they never the fiber thing has never that's that's just still there. The fiber issue. Um, I use the analogy of, um, I'm not even
going to say it, but I've been fighting for 5 years to get that. Everyone in town, all the billing committees I've known for a year, and I'm at the point of I don't really need it. It'd make things easier. I'm not missing out on anything. It just make my job easier. But that's a fight I I've fought to the end.
>> So, this is for the edification of the committee. This is the connectivity in the high school, right? That you're talking high school. So auditorium to TV studio, um gym toy TV studio, those connections
are not complete. >> So they're all even out to fields. >> So the there's we have a fiber box out in the field. All fiber lines come all the way if you push up my drop ceiling in my TV studio, there's a big bundle of
fiber and none of it's terminated, none of it's labored. >> Yes, I did bring this up. Um >> yeah, >> two two media two meetings previous to this um to our cable advisory board meeting to the um school committee and
um the uh building committee, school building committee as well. Um again, they're aware. Um I'll mention it again. I don't know, doesn't sound like obviously any progress has been made. Um but as John said, everybody in town, every committee is aware of it. Um it's
just a matter of >> for years now. Yeah. Yeah. And again, it's not something that's preventing me from doing my job or covering anything, but it would make it easier. >> Yeah. >> Is it the cable company or the school? >> No, it's the school. >> It's just
>> Yeah. It's a combination. >> And basically didn't finish the job. >> We were locked out. We couldn't get It was during CO. We couldn't get in the building to >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But it's been six years since co >> Yeah. For five years, I've been after people and >> I've had everyone I think up this I
think this is the second superintendent now has been in my room and I've opened the drop ceiling. Everyone has seen the the whole building. Everyone has seen that. Um Charlie from I forget Charlie's he's been in there. They've all been in there over over the last few years. Yeah, I think getting the vendor back is
going to be difficult, but maybe that's something that it can >> work on or what it >> can't like put a thing on the end to see where it connects like a trace track it trace it. >> Well, I've never I've never done fiber
connectors before. >> No, I mean somebody should be able to >> Yeah. Yeah. And I've had um someone Rene's over the years has I've worked with and he's traced and we found a lot of dead ends too. We've gone to some ports in the gym and then he's not
getting the light shine on it. The fiber light isn't. So >> yeah, >> could either be broken somewhere in it's just an unknown at this point. >> So how are you doing it now when you have something in the auditorium? You're just taping it. >> The school committee is there, right? So the order I have three cameras on the
wall that get sent back and I can plug one in on the stage. So that all gets back >> that's through uh the Wi-Fi. >> So I can do it that way. >> Okay. >> But fiber is just a a very crisp picture. It's very reliable. It's uh
>> there's no lag or anything like that. >> Yeah. >> So what do you have out at the field? You said there's a fiber box out there. Is there Wi-Fi out there? Um, >> yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. I send a a person with a camera and they film it and >> Yeah. >> shown the next day. >> We did do um we have done a couple of live events, but that revol that involves hard wiring. So, we're running with the cable all the way from the gym
across the the street. >> Yeah. >> And that was for tournament games. That's not something I would ever do for for a regular game. >> Yeah, it's hard when when infrastructure just sits there. I mean, the cable bundle just sitting there. That's
>> pictures. I can show you all that stuff. >> Yeah, Jason, I don't know if they, you know, bring it up again. I guess that's all we can do, right? >> Yes, I'll definitely follow up. I mean, it's a workflow issue and there's a lot of different things that can be covered, you know, and certainly quality control
is is I think important for John and and certainly this committee. So, um >> I'll mention it. We have a special school committee meeting again on Monday. So, >> okay. >> Yeah. And maybe the answer is to contract somebody to come in and
terminate those five ends and >> you know, test them proof. Maybe it's >> he needs to get back to you. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> He knows about it and he's I'd asked him to come in, but Okay. >> Know what's going on on his >> I'll follow up with him anyway. >> Okay.
>> Um >> Okay. Um any other questions? No. Okay. The next uh item is the meeting room renovation. >> Okay. So, um kind of a mandate and I also agree with him on the new town
administrator. For those of you who don't know, in the town hall, it's second floor. Um, at the end of the hall, there's a very small meeting room that's um we never outfitted it to be a video room. We've had some very old equipment
in there. And um it's kind of messy. It's kind of antiquated. And the town administrator and I, we met and we talked it over. And since there's less than 10 meetings in that room, if that, a year, I didn't want to make the investment of building another small
studio in there. And um he really wants to see a little conference room in there. So, what we're doing, and I'm out getting bids on it now, is um gonna have a big 75 inch monitor on the wall and
just like in a select board room, there's a camera attached to it and when people speak, it moves or it can get the whole table and that's how the five, six meetings a year are going to be taped in there. But it's going to also work, like I said, as a conference room where you
can he can have Zoom meetings with people. So, I'm just in a a quote business now. I've gotten one and it was over 10,000. So, I have to get three. So, I'm reaching out to others. >> Yeah. I don't know. Uh Shauna, maybe you
can if if he reaches out for three quotes according to like mass procurement law >> and others don't respond, can he just make note of those other two that they didn't or does he have to have? >> Yeah, I don't know.
>> Three solid quotes. >> I don't know. Chris would be able to tell him. Yeah, I don't I don't know. >> But you're talking about like the like at work we had the big teams meeting one. You're talking about one of those, right? >> Yeah. It'll be able to do teams or um it's >> well I guess we use meat but
>> yeah it it's just a big monitor sort of like that one which >> but it has a camera and it can go to the person talking. >> Yeah. >> So if you're sitting in your seat at the select board is the TV to your right underneath has one of those. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. I don't I don't I know you have to get you're supposed to get three bids
but I don't know what happens if people are not responsive. >> Yeah. That's a good question. What if I reach out to 10 people and I get no and >> yeah, >> there's five companies in all of New England that would do this. >> Well, we s for them. If you don't get them, then you have to go. >> Yeah. I mean, maybe that's a question
for Chris and I don't want this project to hold you up because a couple things going to happen. You got one quote >> only from from Ockers to do the work and to do the install. Some other companies may offer the equipment without the install. It's got to kind of be apples
to apples, but maybe the you can ask Chris, maybe the email soliciting the quote is enough. You know, if it's dated, whatever you did it 3 weeks ago or whatever. If it's if you get a nonresponse,
maybe you can just move forward with the quote that you have. >> I just don't want to hold you up. So, in my experience within the school department, it's said very similar and a lot of times I would get quotes back, but as long as I documented everything, I wouldn't stop at three if I only got
one actual bid back. Um, but maybe go up to like five or six or whatever and show that documentation um that you attended and that they're either not responding or not willing to be eligible to bid whatever. >> Okay. All right. Thank you.
>> Yeah. And you know, again, the the company's a reputable company, so I don't think you'll you'll have any issues with that. >> It's just >> Okay. Any other questions for John?
>> Okay. Next item on the agenda is Spectrum payment update. And I'd asked John to kind of get a breakdown of of cabled monies coming from Spectrum to the town. Um because historically
what I've seen is, you know, we're guaranteed that $30,000 um capital payment every year, but the the operating monies are based on 4% of
revenue. um on basic cable service. So if people are dropping ba basic cable or turning their boxes in or whatever, that 4% operating money is decreasing.
>> Then it was we lose money as soon as people dropping out. >> Well, that's that's John's funding, right? So >> now that's only on the cable, but your internet, your phone is totally different. You don't get any money out of that at all. >> Correct. >> Right. So I was just curious to see if
if historically the over the last three years there's a substantial >> like I talked with you a little while ago I had a tech had problem with my box this he exchanged it he said specters by 2030 complete streaming they're going to
do away with all the boxes they're projected he says that's what they want to do and the box will be gone >> I believe Yeah, >> it's definitely it is between you and I. So this is not for public.
>> So now we're on a public meeting sharing it all. >> Yeah, I there there's certainly a lot of talk about that. >> So that's what you have to have the internet. How about all the people that don't have internet? What are they going to do?
It didn't bas like a wireless system. >> Well, when we proposed the municipal fiber plan, it did not go over very well. So, >> yeah. >> Yeah. >> If everyone had internet stuff. >> Yep.
>> Yeah. I I mean I think that you know down the road we'll we'll have to have discussions because at the last meeting I talked a little bit about the House bill that um apparently is still alive that's looking for funding from streaming services to um to go to the
cities and towns. Um I haven't heard any updates yet. Um, I I know it's not dead yet, but again, when they're going to address it, I'm not I'm not sure. >> So, with Donald, if the man told Donald
the correct news 2030, if that bill fails, they this won't this this department won't be funed. >> Right. Yeah. >> Right. What I have seen in some towns, I think New Bedford is doing it now uh because their cable revenue and I could
be mistaken, but I believe the towns have been basically just rolling in the OP because obviously it's important for the for the residents to get the meetings and to see the meetings. The towns are now funding the cable
operations. Um, the other op the other thing to do is to potentially start a nonprofit. That's another option to to go down that road and to do like a 501c3 and try to do some some fundraising and grant
writing. So, there are some options. It all depends on what the appetite is. >> That'll hold us. >> Yeah. >> For a couple years after. >> Yeah. You've been very frugal with your spending. So, I think that's that's great. That's great. So,
>> um, >> so that's it for the numbers. We did get they gave the $30,000 annual capital payment in December and we did receive that December 25. >> Yeah. So, we just don't know the last three years of
operating. >> The last three years. No, I have 24 is the last I have because this chart Nicole sent me uh she sent it pre-appril last year and we're thinking the the bulk of the money the the operating money comes in after
April. So I'm sure by next meeting I have a number >> right. So do you have the two years at least for the committee? So at least >> apparently the mo the numbers have not gone down. So that's a good thing. people are still holding on to their their basic cable service, at least from
from the revenue standpoint. >> Yeah, the revenue's gone up pretty much every year. There was a dip in 2019 to 2020. Yep. So 2024 we the actual revenue figures were 248,000
and in 20 the year before was 228. So we went up 20,000 from then to then. Um, and I don't have the 25 number because like I said, she sent this to me pre-April of last year.
>> Okay. >> And the balance as of February of 10th, 2025 is 747. So we have three years of revenue right there. >> February 25. >> Yeah. >> So it's a year.
>> It's a year ago. So that that figure's gone up. That total balance has to have gone up. >> Yeah. Hold on to that money as much as possible. And you know, I think the programming is important and everyone
would support that. Um yeah. Uh any questions for John on that? You guys good? So, there's not really too there's not really anything else on the agenda. If you guys have any new
business or anything to to talk about, we can address that. If not, um we can maybe try to schedule another meeting date and that's entirely up to you if you want to wait until >> Yeah, my suggestion be let's wait until
a few things stop happening and so we don't have a quick 20 minute meeting. Is there any way we can get a guarantee from strict room charter that we get x amount of money no matter how many customers they lose on the cables >> boxes? No way.
>> I doubt that. I think that would have been something to negotiate with >> with the attorney when we >> bottom line when we signed the license. But I don't think they would have ever gone for that, right? they would have looked at it and said you guys are in a
you know and that's that's not >> something to think about you know >> next contract was about eight years left on this one >> yeah I mean like I said you know the there are some creative ways to look at funding the the program and you know I I
think >> and you get all get AT&T mobile now all this competition streaming and people >> go for the cheaper you know the cheaper same product but cheaper rates Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You know, and I think John's, you know, John and Valerie are doing great work
and as much as they can, you know, utilize students, right? >> Um that will, you know, at least reduce some of the, you know, the costs for the programming. I think it's a great learning experience for them at the high school. get them involved and you know
internships you know get you know maybe explore that with some of the local colleges to see if um there's an appetite for that and give you some extra people to work >> um
so >> yep I agree >> so do you want to just keep the next meeting date open-ended and you would just let me know and we can schedule something. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> All right.
>> Does that sound okay with you guys? You know, I know it's the warmer weather is coming hopefully and and uh you know, if we have to meet during the summer, we can. I mean, I'm around, but >> do do we know when the appointments are are the appointments endated to the
committee? You might need people might need to express their interest in continuing to the select. You do reappoints in June. >> Yeah. I don't know. Is it in June usually that >> because it's um the appointments are usually through June 30th. Um so I I don't know when the terms expire on this
committee off the top of my head, but um if anybody's term is expiring, you'd want to >> Okay. >> put in to be reappointed. >> Why don't I check with the clerk and you know, I'll send out an email to all of you and obviously you know I could use all the help I can get with this. So um
you know I' I'd appreciate your support on continuing it. Um, you know, I'm kind of new to chairing, so just bear with me if I'm like the awkward turtle plotting along, but I'm trying to trying to get us through this. And uh um obviously you
guys are more experienced at this than I am, but um I think in our in our cases, you know, we our our term runs with our appointment. We are standing members relative standing members from other
committees. So we we reorganize the planning board reorganizes after the election. >> Yes. >> And we where we have a role in standing committees we assign those out. So it's not
>> so so my my term sort of runs with my elected office. >> Okay. >> And I mean the select board is doing the same thing at our meeting on Monday. will reorganize and um see if anybody wants to change any appointments or anything, but >> Okay. >> Yeah. And I I'll I'll check with the
rest of us and see where we're at and then we'll go from there. But um yeah, and thank you for your time tonight and there's no further business. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> Thank you all very much. Thank you.