Moving pictures: LynnCAM settles into spacious new digs

LYNN – LynnCAM television is on the move.Lynn Community Access & Media will hold a Feb. 2 open house at its spacious new 104 Woodman St. headquarters and studio from 5-7 p.m.The LynnCAM TV board of directors and film crew will be on hand to meet and greet visitors.LynnCAM relocated from offices at 26 Tremont St. in the central business district across from St. Mary’s High School. The move was made to save the non-profit station on rent expenses, according to board member and volunteer Karen Chapman.The new location near Barry Playground has more square footage, which will allow for business expansion, she said.”We have a lot more space, that’s for sure,” said Chapman.In addition to Chapman, LynnCAM board members are James Chalmers, Cynthia Demakes, David Johnson and Daniel McManus. The board is appointed by the mayor.”To the best of my knowledge, the terms of all board members are current,” Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy said Friday. “The members are appointed by the mayor, so that’s something I’ll have to look at. It hasn’t been a top priority given everything else we have had to deal with during the past year.””LynnCAM isn’t downtown any longer, but it really doesn’t matter. The studio is not some place the general public needs to visit on a regular basis,” the mayor said. “The studio is mainly used by the people who tape the TV shows that go out on the public access channels.”Most viewers recognize the station by its on-air talent, Cassie Vitali, the face of LynnCAM.Kennedy noted Comcast, a for-profit business, has a cablecast license agreement with the city that requires payment of certain feels. LynnCAM operates within that agreement, but as a non-profit public access station does not pay fees.LynnCAM serves Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Swampscott and parts of Saugus. It is cablecast on Comcast channels 3 and 16 as well as Verizon channels 37 and 38. The non-profit station offers members access to equipment and training.The station’s Web site notes that LynnCAM is “a true access center providing opportunities to learn, use and create. We are equipped with, but not limited to technology to allow the community to create studio and field television productions, Web programs, digital graphic designs, Web design and audio productions, as well as documentary productions and journalistic endeavors.” LynnCAM’s goal is to help community members practice their First Amendment rights.