Nashua Community Media board authorizes LED studio lighting and up to $25,000 in Comcast equipment funds

The Nashua Community Media board approved two equipment spending items during its June meeting, voting to authorize a studio lighting retrofit not to exceed $2,200 and to permit the use of up to $25,000 in Comcast-designated funds to replace aging cameras and purchase one PTZ camera.

Director McCormick moved to "approve an expenditure not to exceed $2,200 from the equipment repairs and maintenance budget to repair the lighting in the studio." The chair called the question and the motion passed on a voice vote.

Board staff had proposed the lighting retrofit after reporting problems with several fixtures at the community television offices and after consulting the city's energy manager, Doria Brown, who requested a cost estimate. Staff said the work would replace fluorescent tube fixtures with more efficient LED tubes in common areas and install task lighting in the studio, and requested authorization to spend up to $2,200 to complete the retrofit.

On equipment replacement, staff reminded the board that Nashua will receive $25,000 from Comcast that is expressly for new equipment purchases. "We will be requesting authorization to spend on these items in an amount not to exceed the $25,000 we will be receiving from Comcast later this month for equipment purchases," a staff member said.

Director McCormick moved to "approve an expenditure not to exceed $25,000 for the purchase of equipment allowable under the funding received from Comcast." After brief discussion about camera makes and operator familiarity, the chair called the question and the motion passed on a voice vote.

Pete Johnson, Education Channel administrator, said the board is leaning toward staying with Sony cameras because operators are familiar with their menus, though Canon and a Panasonic option were also discussed. Johnson warned that one camera was irreparably damaged during a graduation when wind knocked it over: "The other camera literally broke in half," he said, describing the loss at the graduation event.

Staff said they will use the Comcast funds to replace the broken camera and to acquire at least one PTZ camera suitable for studio or remote use; per earlier remarks, per-unit costs for suitable broadcast cameras were described in the $5,000 range.

The board also heard a brief report from BRB TV on continued streaming and distribution on Roku and Apple TV and discussed returning the September meeting to the studio if scheduling allows.

The meeting concluded with a note from Director Cummings that the board is beginning the FY27 budget process and that FY28 will present significant challenges, recommending proactive planning.