Minutes

 

New England Region 19 

700 MHz

Meeting

 

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

 

                                                Kennebunkport Fire Department

                                                32 North Street

                                                Kennebunkport, ME

 

 

The meeting was convened at 10:00 AM.

 

Present:  George Pohorilak, Chairman; Jerry Zarwanski, Vice-chairman; James Warakois, Secretary. All present signed the prepared sign in sheet.

 

The Chairman called for a moment of silence for remembrance of those who died as a result of acts of terrorism on September 11, 2001.

 

According to the bylaws, a motion is requested for nomination of Officers for the year 2008.  Jeff Otto nominated the three incumbents for the office of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary.  Mr. Brown seconded the nominations. It was voted that Mr. Pohorilak, Mr. Zarwanski and Mr. Warakois remain in the positions of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary respectively.

 

1. Approval of Minutes of June 12, 2007 Meeting

Moved by Mr. Brown; seconded by Mr. Sutherland that the minutes of the previous meeting be accepted.  Voted unanimously to approve the minutes.

 

2. State Update

Connecticut - Mr. George Pohorilak indicated the State of Connecticut is heavily involved in the State of Connecticut SCIP (Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan). The Federal Government is granting the State of Connecticut approximately 13 million to implement the plan. Development of the SCIP is underway.

 

 Mr. George Carbonell stated 100 STOC (State Tactical On-Scene) boxes were received by the State of Connecticut for interoperability. Mr. Carbonell also discussed the deployment of ÒSTOCSÓ equipment for use during State Tactical operations. The STOC boxes will provide communication interoperability to the troops on the scene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Massachusetts- Mr. Sutherland noted that the State of Massachusetts Interoperability Committee has expanded and a consultant has been enlisted to help with a multi-area plan.  Initiatives have been put in place and the committee is working with adjacent states,, Homeland Security Regions and the UASI Region to ensure that the efforts that are underway are aligned with the strategic initiatives that have been identified by the State.  The purchase of equipment will commence with an approved SCIP.  A governance structure will be developed with the State Administration. A bordering state committee will meet formally and more frequently to share and resolve various allocations.

 

Rhode Island- Mr. Crotty noted that the higher authority within the state will be made aware and support the need for more formal contact and dialog regarding the SCIP and other enabling issues.

 

New Hampshire Mr. Kowalik noted that interoperability standards are still being studied.  The Department of Safety is soon to be invested in the Interoperability Communications Assistance Program. New Hampshire Department of Safety, DOT and Emergency Management have moved into a new operations center.  An issue remaining is obtaining governance authority.

 

Maine- Mr. Poole stated his committee has identified VHF frequencies to be shared with Public Safety Agencies within the State. Discussions are being conducted to review various possible plans to utilize several mobile communications vehicles that will be deployed around the State. There are also discussions with IBET (International Boarder Emergency Tactical) group to establish working plans between Canada and Maine.

 

Vermont- Mr. LaValley summarized activities in Vermont.  An Executive order from the Governor has allowed the development of a governance committee made of first responders.  Currently, funding is being used to establish VHF and UHF site locations

utilizing the V-CALL and U-CALL channels on major mountain tops to cover the state.

A frequency consultant has been charged with identifying and licensing additional channels. 

 

 

3. FCC UPDATE

Mr. Zarwanski reported the band plan for 700 MHz has been changed. He noted that the

Motorola Document, ÒThe CommunicatorÓ page 4 depicts the new band plan as described in FCC-07-132, Second Report and Order.

 

The previous wideband spectrum has now been defined as broadband.  A new carrier will provide an additional 10MHz of adjacent spectrum to be used in conjunction with the

broadband spectrum to provide a nationwide public safety broadband/wideband service. It will be part of commercial communications operations and may utilize quiet times on the public safety wideband. 

 

The narrow band channels have been moved down 1 MHz to resolve interference issues with Canada.  Each of the narrowband channels, which have been moved down, will have to be identified in the Regional Plan Amendment. Public Safety Agencies building out on the old 700MHz spectrum plan shall stop immediately.  They can negotiate with the FCC for reimbursement to move to the new 700MHz band plan.

 

 

4. Region 19 Plan

Mr. Zarwanski discussed the procedure and guidelines that have been developed for 700 MHz applicants.  This document will have to be updated to the final requirements of the Second Report and Order.   Assignments of specific frequencies cannot be accomplished until the frequencies are finalized.

 

Application Procedures. A copy of the New England Region 19 700MHz Channel Application Procedures was distributed for comment and review. One comment to the committee members present was the required number of paper copies being 20. After some discussion it was determined that the required paper copies would be reduced to three paper copies and 20 CD copies.

 

Mr. Derdak questioned the use of a mix of metric and English units.  The discussion resulted in the inclusion of both English and metric systems in the application guidelines.

 

5. NARPC/NPSTC/CAPRAD

No new information available.

 

6. Window/Applications

There are no applications for action.

 

7.  4.9 GHz 

New Hampshire DOT has submitted a letter notifying its intention to build out a system along the I-95 corridor. 

 

The number of 4.9 GHz licenses is numerous, especially in Massachusetts. Five letters have been received by the Committee describing the type of systems and technologies.

It was reported to the committee that there are existing/planned 4.9GHz systems that have not been reported to the committee.

 

8. NEW BUSINESS

 

Letter received from the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Commissioner John Danaher, requests that Paul Zitto and Scott Wright be designated alternates for Mike Stemmler on the 700 MHz Committee. Moved by Mr. Carbonell; seconded by Mr. Derdak that they be accepted.  All voted in favor.

 

 

The committee Chairman requested support for the NER700MHz.org website through the APCO Atlantic Chapter. Mr. Sutherland, current President of APCO International Atlantic Chapter indicated that he will approach the Chapter members to support the New England Region 19 700MHz Technical Advisory Committee website.

 

Mr. Bill Porter announced his retirement from Motorola.  Chairman Pohorilak commended Bill for his exemplary attendance at the committee meetings and his technical assistance to public safety.

 

Adjournment

Move to adjourn by Mr. Hoxsie. Seconded by Mr.Carbonell

 

Adjourned at 11:10 AM

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

James A. Warakois

Secretary