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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-26-EDAC-minTown of Lexington Economic Development Advisory Committee Cary Hall, Legion Room —1605 Massachusetts Avenue MINUTES Members Present: John McWeeney, Narain Bhatia, Larry Smith, Rick DeAngelis, Bruce Embry, George Burnell, Kevin McGuire Liaison, non - voting: Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Joe Pato (Board of Selectmen) Staff: Carl Valente, Melisa Tintocalis, Melissa Jones The meeting was called to order at 8:10 a.m. and the Committee acted on the following items: 1. Approve previous minutes from Jan -May 2013 • The Committee tabled the minutes from January — May 2013 until the next meeting so that the members could review. Narain raised three points for consideration: • He suggested that per EDAC's charge, the Committee should start educating the public on Economic Development issues by releasing updates to the Minuteman and other media outlets. • He also suggested that Melisa put together a "scorecard" with statistics on the Town's Economic Development. • He encouraged the Committee to think about Town -wide rezoning /redevelopment options. The group discussed the need to be out in front of development so that the Town can accommodate development when companies outgrow their current spaces. Rick suggested that the Planning Board continuously update the use table to reflect changes in science, technology, and medical fields. 2. Energy Savings Program for Business — Mark Sandeen • Mark Sandeen, Chair of Sustainable Lexington, gave a presentation on how commercial property owners may take advantage of an opportunity offered by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). DOER is offering free audits for commercial office properties; property owners must express their interest by September 30. These audits will offer recommendations on how to improve buildings to make them more energy efficient and achieve cost savings. If Senate Bill 177 passes, property owners can then take advantage of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans. These loans would be managed by the state and would fund the upgrades as recommended by the audit. These loans would be considered betterments, and would therefore stay with the property (as opposed to the owner) if it is sold. Sustainable Lexington is seeking EDAC's support for this program; the Committee voted unanimously to support a letter to the Board of Selectmen asking for it to support Senate Bill 177. • Mark's presentation also touched on Lexington's solar potential due to its level of sunlight, roof surface area, and land at the compost facility site. He pointed to cost savings achieved by solar power, and noted that third party management of these systems means that property owners do not need to manage the systems or assume any of the incentive risk. Sustainable Lexington is issuing an RFP for solar panels at the compost facility site. 3. Took Committee Photo • Dave Tabeling was present to take the photo. 4. Hartwell Avenue Update — Melisa Tintocalis • The Town Engineer, John Livsey, is meeting with the contractor today to discuss sidewalk construction. There is a possibility that construction could occur before this winter; if not, sidewalk construction will take place in the spring. • The Department of Public Works is currently reviewing landscaping plans for the jug handle. • The REV Shuttle is currently averaging 15 -20 riders per day for all trips (about 5 riders per trip). The Town will continue to work with King Street Properties to promote food trucks. Melisa will be presenting at the Southern New England APA conference in October. She will discuss strategies employed by the Town to encourage development on Hartwell Avenue (rezoning, TIFs, infrastructure improvements, etc.). Narain noted that the Board of Selectmen's action on the anaerobic digester has not reduced tension in Town, because if the intention is to not proceed, it should be clear about that. Property owners are delaying investment in their properties because this project seems to have life. Rick said that Hartwell Avenue property owners would welcome the use of solar at that location and on private properties. Meeting Adjourned: 9:55 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Melissa Jones, Scribe Next meeting: October 17, 2013