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Uxbridge cable staff outlines equipment failures, a 5-year replacement plan and need to update policies after department restructure
Summary
Cable staff reported aging studio and broadcast equipment (many items 10+ years old), plans to create a five-year capital replacement schedule, revived FYI/community programming, and a review of bylaws and policies now that access functions are a town department.
Cable access staff told the Town of Uxbridge Cable Advisory Committee on Aug. 7 that the department faces aging equipment and operational strains and is preparing a five-year plan to replace or upgrade key systems.
Speaker 2 (committee member/staff) said many pieces of equipment are more than a decade old and are failing; the department recently purchased a smaller, modern live-stream unit to replace an older, bulkier system. "I'm putting together a 5 year plan for equipment replacement," Speaker 2 said, noting that some studio and computer equipment dates from 2017 and that the IT department has assisted in refurbishing machines for classroom and multimedia use.
Speaker 3 suggested the committee consider NDI virtualization and consolidation of switchers and other functions to reduce capital costs. Speaker 2 said the department has been approached by the school IT staff for computers and that some surplus machines might be auctioned to recoup funds. The committee also discussed that the town-wide change in organizational structure'making access a full town department rather than an enterprise account'means bylaws, policies and procedures should be reviewed and presented to the Board of Selectmen and town manager for approval.
What happens next: Cable staff will compile a capital replacement plan and work with committee members to draft proposed bylaws and procedures to present to the town manager and Board of Selectmen. The committee indicated it will meet more regularly as the fall calendar resumes and programming revives.
