Meeting Minutes
32 North Main Street
Kennebunkport, Maine 04043
Mr. George Pohorilak chaired the meeting. The meeting started at 11:13AM. An agenda was emailed to all committee members and copies were available for those attending the meeting. Several members called in on the telephone conference bridge.
A copy of the minutes from the last meeting was passed out. A motion was raised to accept the minutes. The minutes were accepted by Mr. Jeff Otto and seconded by Mr. George Carbonell. All members present approved the minutes.
Connecticut: Mr. George Pohorilak requested Mr. Steve Verbil give
the Connecticut update. Mr. Verbil identified the state is currently involved
in a project to implement a statewide fiber data network connecting all 107
PSAPs. The State has hired a consultant to prepare documentation to move the fiber
data network project along. Mr. Verbil identified the first stage of the fiber
data network installation should be completed by the end of this year.
Mr. Verbil identified the
State is in negotiations with Motorola for the provision of a P25 switch. The
State received a federal grant to fund the purchase of a P25 compatible switch.
The federal government requires the money allocated to purchase the switch be
spent by September 2010.
Mr. Verbil noted the third
North East Regional Statewide Interoperability Coordinator Conference call was
held March 9th. A high number of state representatives telephone
conference into the meeting. Mr. Verbil encouraged all state interoperability
coordinators attend the interoperability conference in Chicago on April 24, 25
and 26.
Massachusetts: No report
New Hampshire: No Report
Maine: Mr. Mark Poole stated the State of Maine accepted a
proposal from Tyco to build
a statewide trunked VHF radio network with a 6GHz backbone and 900Mhz
microwave system. Tyco is hoping to start construction in the next 6
months.
Vermont: No Report
Rhode Island: No Report
Mr. Zarwanski identified the
new DTV transition date is June 12, 2009. Mr. Zarwanski noted 50% of the TV
stations have already transitioned to all digital.
Fourth item on the agenda: Region 19 Plan
Mr. Zarwanski indicated the
Region 19 plan was forwarded to the FCC in November. The FCC has reviewed the
plan and has put the plan into a reply/comment period on the FCC web site. The
reply/comment period has ended and Region 19 is awaiting approval of the plan.
Fifth item on the agenda: FCC Broadband Auction – D Block
Mr. Zarwanski stated the FCC
has not determined the final outcome of the D block. Mr. Zarwanski reported
there has been an administrative change in the FCC slowing the auctioning of
the D block.
Mr. Zarwanski stated Public
Safety Spectrum Trust and Siren Call have dissolved their relationship.
Mr. Zarwanski identified the
FCC is looking for 700MHz plans from the regional planning committees. NRPC and
NPSTC put in place a RPUC 700MHz plan development training session which was
held February 2009. Additional training will be held in Orlando, Florida on
June 29 and 30.
Mr. Zarwanski identified
Region 8 and Region 30 submitted their regionŐs 700MHz plans at the same time.
Region 8Ős plan is currently in the same status as Region 19. The status of the
Region 30 Plan is unknown.
Mr. Zarwanski stated in the
past, the State of Connecticut held a 4.9GHz meeting. The meeting was held for
all licensees and entities planning to license 4.9GHz.
Mr. Pohorilak stated the
Cross Island Ferry was interested in licensing 4.9GHz. Region 19 requested a
letter from a Connecticut public safety entity/municipality identifying they
support the Cross Island Ferry plan to utilize 4.9GHz. Region 19 also requested
a plan of intent from the Cross Island Ferry. Mr. Zarwanski stated Region 19
has not received the letter of support as of this date. Mr. Pohorilak identified
he will keep the committee updated on the Cross Island Ferry. Mr. George Carbonell identified the Cross
Island Ferry applied for a 4.9GHz license on May 27, 2008. The FCC license request
was dismissed two days later. On July 9, 2008 the FCC period for
reconsideration closed. Mr. Carbonell indicated Cross Island Ferry is not
licensed under 4.9GHz.
Mr. Zarwanski stated a build
out plan must be submitted to Region 19 when a public safety entity plans on
licensing 4.9GHz spectrum. Mr. James Warakois stated Brookline, Massachusetts
has built out a 4.9GHz mesh network. Mr. Warakois stated he was not informed of
the build out and is requesting technical information about the system from the
town.
Mr. Pohorilak introduced Mr.
Kerry Flaherty representing a potential 700MHz applicant from the City of Stamford, CT. Mr. Flaherty
introduced Mr. Bob Cruikshank who put together a draft 700MHz application cover
letter for The City of Stamford, CT. The letter stated the City of Stamford, CT
will be moving forward applying for five low power 700MHz channels. Mr.
Zarwanski informed Mr. Cruikshank the application is to be submitted to a
frequency coordinating agency before the application will be reviewed for
approval by the Connecticut State Interoperability Committee and New England
Region 19 Planning Committee.
Mr. Poole identified the City
of Bar Harbor, Maine is requesting 700MHz for a mobile data system. The Town of
Bar Harbor, Maine selected APCO as their frequency coordinating agency. Mr.
Poole stated as the Maine APCO frequency coordinator he selected four 700MHz
frequency channels for the system. Mr. Zarwanski pointed out that Mr. Poole has
identified State frequencies and Region 19 has no authority over these
frequencies. The State of Maine will need to provide a letter to APCO
identifying the State relinquishes the frequencies to Bar Harbor.
With no further comments or
business, Mr. George Carbonell motioned for adjournment. Mr. Stephan Brown
seconded the motion. Next meeting will be held in the Rhode Island Emergency
Operations Center, 645 New London Avenue, Cranston, Rhode Island. All present agreed to adjourn at 11:02AM.