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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-22-HATS-min HATS - Thursday, April 22, 2010 - Meeting Minutes Attending. Michael Rosenberg, Bedford Selectman, Chair, Elise Woodward, Concord Selectman; Deb Mauger, Lexington Selectman, Bryce Wolf, Lincoln Planning, Richard Canale, Lexington Planning, Sara Arnold, Massport, Dorothy Steele, Massport, Nancy Nelson, Minuteman National Historical Park; J.C. Corcoran, Hanscom AFB; Diane Reid, Bedford Citizen; Lisa Mustapich, Bedford Planning. Michael Rosenberg called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM. He welcomed attendees including Nancy Nelson, Supermtendant of the Minuteman National Historical Park and J C Corcoran, Hanscom AFB Mr. Corcoran presented details of May 3-9, celebrating Marine Corps Week in Boston. Hanscom will provide logistical support to the Marine Corps including housing and logistics during this time period. Approximately 100 marines will be here. Air activity will increase, but all the activities will be in Bos- ton. V2 Ospreys, helicopters, Cobras, and other aircraft will be brought in and will be stationed at Hanscom On May 4, Media Day, approximately 50-60 media people will be hosted An air assault practice will take place on May 8 in Boston Website is www marines mil<http //www marines mil/> for more information. Additionally, major repairs will be made. Some construction at Route 2A Vandenburg Gate will be undertaken. This gate will be closed on May 6 for four days except for emergency vehicles. The pit area for truck inspection will be shifted to Merritt Street as well. Week- ends will be busy at the National Park with school groups. Superintendent Nelson presented an overview of the Park activities A general management plan up- date is being undertaken because many goals have been achieved. Historic structures have been reha- bilitated. Active public uses are sought for the historic structures. The Battle Road Trail is 5.5 miles long and funding is in plan to rehabilitate areas of the Trail as a scenic byway. Traffic, access and safety are priorities. Landscape vistas are being cleared and sustainable landscapes and agricultural uses are being established The Park seeks to strengthen relationships with neighboring towns Con- necting lands on the south side of Route 2A similarly to those on the north side will be pursued Edu- cational programming will be expanded at the Whittemore House Education Center. The Minute Man Visitor Center needs to be updated. Friends of Minute Man National Park is a growing organization. Over 18,000 hours of volunteers were recorded in 2009. $ 1.7million was allocated to Minute Man from the 2010 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for projects in the Buttrick Gardens in Con- cord, Historic Agricultural Fields rehabilitation, and restoration of the John Nelson House and Barn in Lincoln The General Management Plan Amendment will be available for public review and comment this summer. Battle Road Farms is gearing up to put apprentice farmers on the land for training in a protected envi- ronment The focus will be on environmental stewardship, healthy farming, and sustainability There is the possibility for a farm stand, and plans to supply the Colonial Dinner with produce grown on the Park land. Comments included interest in integrating public comments from the abutting towns to the General Management Plan Amendment. Hardscape is not anticipated to be expanded except for the Hartwell lot Lighting may be added there which is a concern for Lincoln Superintendent Nelson reiterated that input from the towns is extremely important Accessibility and safety are important for the Park The Battle Road unit is staffed within the overall staffing of the Park. There are 28 FTE's presently. Adequate on-going maintenance funds is of concern. The funding for the Park is increasing through additional seasonal positions. Three buildings are used as residences for permanent protection staff Two other buildings are used for housing seasonal staff. There is interest in turning the Battle Road to a scenic by way from a through way. Pedestrian crossing and traffic calming devices are being pur- sued. Discouraging truck traffic on the Battle Road may be pursued. Construction at Crosby's Corner is scheduled to start in 2011 and may have an effect on the Battle Road,but may be an opportunity for the Park to rework access Update on Transportation Improvement Plan, MAGIC HATS recommendations last month reiterated support for the project priorities from 2009. MAGIC forwarded similar recommendations to MAPC Included are. Crosby's Corner including the flooding issues Route 2A in Lexington Concord Rotary was included as an urgent project Bruce Freeman Rail Trail was noted. as was the Minuteman connector in Lexington and the Bedford reconstruction going toward the Concord line, although this is not currently on the TIP Recommenda- tion was made to support the Reformatory trail reconstruction recently approved by Bedford Town Meeting. Other transportation updates Richard Canale reported on the Lexington projects Routes 4/225 and commercial development on Route 2 Intersection improvements near Wilson Farms and National Heritage Museum along Massa- chusetts Avenue are important and may accommodate sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and signalization. A study was approved for 25% design at Lexington Town Meeting. The Secretary of Transportation has issued policy statements reiterated Federal guidelines that bicycle and pedestrian projects have the same importance as road construction. TIP Day is May 5. The 128 Council met last Friday. There is a Draft Plan(30 year plan), but short-term goals are likely to be set Multi-modal transportation recommendations may be included HFAC met on April 20. The meeting included a report on de-icing protocols at Hanscom,both for runways and for aircraft. The annual report on noise at Hanscom was also presented. In May the HATS agenda will include a presentation on the Hanscom housing, traffic impact, and Sec- tion 106 impact statement A report on the Marrett Street intersection may also be included Minutes: March meeting minutes were circulated for information. Michael will continue to seek a scribe. The minutes will be voted in May. The next meeting will be held on May 27 at 7 30 PM in the Lincoln town offices The meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm. Respectfully submitted, Elise F Woodward Concord Selectman