HomeMy WebLinkAboutCable Committee 02/26/2001Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Town of Mansfield
Ad -Hoc Committee for the Renewal of the Cable Lipo is`e r l '
February 26, 2001
Minutes of Meeting
Attendance: Committee Members
Lou Amoroso, Selectman
Br. Alexis Bugnolo
John D'Agostino, Town Manager
Bruce Fallows, Chairman
Mike Healey, Vice Chairman
Pat Kerley, Clerk
Absent: Andy Gazzolo
Bill August, Esq.
01 €-1a, 23 10: 3l
Meeting began at 7:00 p.m.
Motion to approve the February 8, 2001 minutes subject to videotape review — vote 6 to 0.
Motion to approve Executive Committee February 8, 2001 minutes— vote 6 to 0.
All Committee members received the revised license (Articles 1 to 6) from Bill August via email. There
was a discussion of the scanned license document.
Bruce Fallows commented on the various complaints regarding the quality of service provided by AT&T
Broadband. The Mansfield News had an Op Ed article, "A Tale of Cable Service Woes" by Bill
Gouveia. The article very clearly points out all the failings of the cable provider (Attachment A).
Also discussed was a memo to John D'Agostino from a Mansfield resident, Ray Courtois regarding his
treatment by AT&T. He felt that rate schedule is unfair and forces him to subscribe to channels that he
does not want to get the ones he does want. He felt that the customer service he received was rude and
unwilling to resolve complaints (Attachment B). The memo brings up issues about AT&T's ability to
provide customer service. Their handling of Mr. Courtois infers fraud or incompetence. The Committee
feels that AT&T is trying, but they may not be able to handle the rapid growth. The Selectmen asked for
a log of all calls. The new license needs to have standards and/or requirements for Mansfield. John
D'Agostino wants performance standards in the new license and that those standards be specific i.e.
projects completed by certain dates, etc.
The survey was reviewed and revised. John D'Agostino will let us know if the Town can pay for the
return postage. The Committee wants to send it out with the Electric bill either as a separate insert or
part of the Live Wire.
Next meetings will be -- Thursday, March 8, 2001 7 PM Town Hall
The Agenda for 3/8/01 will review the Survey, License and other Ascertainment items.
Motion to adjourn the meeting was approved at 9:00 p.m.
Minutes: Pat Kerley
Attachment A: Op/Ed article dated 2/22/01 "A Tale of Cable Service Woes" by Bill Gouveia.
Attachment B: Memo to John D'Agostino from Mr. Ray Courtois
As part of the contract negotiation process between the Town of Mansfield and AT&T Broadband, the cable
service provider, the licensure advisory committee is seeking your assistance in evaluating service to date and in
evaluating what you, the subscriber, most want from cable TV service. Please fill out the questionnaire below.
Your response need not be signed. Fold the questionnaire in thirds and secure with tape, affix postage and mail.
Circle
1. Do you currently subscribe to AT&T Broadband cable service? YES NO
2. Have you ever subscribed to cable TV service in Mansfield? YES NO
3. Do you use a satellite dish? YES NO
4. Please rate the quality of service.
Poor
Good
Excellent
a. Reception quality.
1
2
3
4
5
b. Reliability of the converter box. Check here if
1
2
3
4
5
none [ ]
c. Reliability of remote controller. Check here if
1
2
3
4
5
none [ ]
d. Telephone calls to customer service. Have made none [ ]
1
2
3
4
5
e. Quality of service rendered. Have made none [ ]
1
2
3
4
5
f. Over-all satisfaction with quality during the past year.
1
2
3
4
5
No
5. Do you want the following if it would not change your bill?
Yes
No
Opinion
a. Discounts for seniors & disadvantaged.
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b. MSNBC.
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c. Pay-per-view channels.
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d. "Adult -Entertainment" options.
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e. Home shopping options.
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f. Parental control options.
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g. Foreign language channels (e.g. Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, etc.).
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h. Expand customer service hours.
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L A local AT&T cable office in Mansfield.
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6. Please offer any additional comments you may.
Fold on dotted line.
Cable License Advisory Committee
Town Hall
Six Park Row
Mansfield, MA 02048