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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-12-HATS-min HATS Meeting October 18, 2012 DRAFT Meeting Minutes Members Present: Michael Rosenberg, Bedford Selectman; Peter Braun, Lincoln Selectman; Steve Ng, Concord Selectman Members Absent: Deb Mauger, Lexington Selectman Other Attendees: Col J R Weilacher, Commander of 66th Air Base Group, Hanscom AFB, James Corcoran, HAFB Public Affairs, Rep Cory Atkins, Kim Siebert, Bedford Citizen, Timothy P. Murray, Lt. Governor and Chair of Of Military Assets and Security Strategy Task Force; Rep. Jay Kaufman; Rep. Thomas Stanley; Brig. Gen.(Ret.)Don Quenneville, Exec. Dir. of Military Assets and Security Strategy Task Force; Mike Hubbard, Military Aid for Congresswoman Tsongas; Bob Domnitz, Lincoln Planning Board; Andy Friedlich, Lexington; Nancy Nelson, Minuteman Regional Park, Dorothy Steele, Massport, Sharon Williams, Massport, Chuck Paone, Director, HAFB Public Affairs As a result of Ms Mauger's absence, Mr Rosenberg chaired the meeting He opened the meeting with welcome and introductions at the Concord Town House, 22 Monument Square, Concord, Massachusetts. Guests were welcomed. Col. Weilacher, 66th Air Base Group Commander, HAFB Introduction/Update: Col Weilacher thanked everyone for inviting him to the meeting He is 3rd generation US military, his grandfather was in the Navy and served on the USS Chester during World War II, and his father was an F4 pilot with combat missions over Vietnam. Col. Weilacher said he is fortunate to have served in a multitude of assignments in numerous locations and his family is enjoying this new Northeast assignment Lt General Moore will be visiting in the middle of November He thanked the community for the support provided to the base He will recap successes at the base and started with the transition to a five center construct -- Air Force Material Command reduced 12 various centers to five. HAFB is part of the life cycle management center, which includes streamlining and reducing manpower. A mission was launched saving about 1050 management positions, and $109M annually, and they are now focused on standardizing process and being better stewards of taxpayer dollars HAFB recently declared initial operating capability on October 1st The goal is full operation capability in October 2013. No core missions were realigned. They recently welcomed Major General Craig Olson from Alabama, who is the new Program Executive Officer for the Command Control Communications Intelligence and Networks Program Executive Office. Thanks to the generosity of the local community, the base recently hosted a heroes homecoming for 50 recent returnees as well as a joint warfighter showcase for Congressmen Smith and Congresswoman Tsongas. Col. Weilacher sees vibrancy at the base, for example, a $2.5m addition to the mental health clinic with a ribbon cutting planned for February 1, 2013. HAFB is the only active base in the region and their mission is taken seriously. HAFB welcomes the joint force National Guard headquarters, a $50m project Phase II should be completed next summer, providing 350 full-time guardsmen on HAFB, offsetting lost personnel and maintaining vibrancy on HAFB. Other projects are the Middle School ($35m) that should take a year, $15m secured through end-of-year close out for improvements, and privatized housing that provides 730 quality units to military personnel (with 98% occupancy). The library was recently closed due to cuts, but services were moved to the youth center on base and others to the local area towns Col Weilacher opened the meeting up for questions Mr. Rosenberg asked Col. Weilacher to explain the difference between his job description and that of his predecessors. ESC had a commander that resided at HAFB and is now at Wright Patterson. Functions associated with staff have migrated to Col. Weilacher's personnel creating greater need for communication to perpetuate mission and present a united front Mr. Braun asked about the steam plant. It is a central plant that provides 70% of heat for the base and is a dual energy system (fuel or natural gas). There is work with the pipeline owner to tie in next year and save $500k annually. However, this is not approved or scheduled yet. The current source of fuel was inquired about as well as the efficiency of the system. Mr Braun also asked about the Vandenberg Gate Col Weilacher's number one responsibility is the security of everyone at HAFB. A problem is a substandard entrance and they are working with Mass Development and MassPort to provide a land swap for a proper visitor's center and vehicle control search area, slated as a priority for 2015. Mr Rosenberg asked if there are non-military personnel residing in base housing and there is only one, a dependent of a deceased Air Force captain Mr. Braun asked regarding the Lincoln Labs status and recapitalization plan. Mr. Sharon of Lincoln Labs is pleased with the support from HAFB and approval for this is currently with the Secretary of the Air Force for Installations in regards to budget issues. Mr Rosenberg asked if Col Weilacher was aware of the effort in Bedford to secure additional funding for the high school attendance of dependents of those living on the base. Col. Weilacher met with the Superintendent of Schools and hosted the school President at a round table. The base can ensure that all members return their financial impact forms to capture impact of the 120 students attending the Bedford High School There was a brief discussion regarding scope of the primary school project, which should follow the middle school project. Kim Siebert, Bedford Citizen, asked about enrollment numbers for the school. Col. Weilacher will get the numbers. Rep Cory Atkins of Concord, Carlisle and Acton, was in attendance She talked about her experience visiting NATO bases and issues related to day care centers, housing, and employment in relation to moving troops, as often times their possessions do not catch up with them for months -- their sacrifices are extraordinary. She asked if the students need any extra help during the transitions. Col. Weilacher thanked her and said it is a privilege to provide the services they provide and that he believes the children are being well served. Mr Braun asked if Col Weilacher would be keeping the community briefings, and he said will likely set one up in the November time frame Mr. Corcoran announced a free Thompson Blue performance on October 28th at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium at 7pm. Everyone was invited. Mr Rosenberg thanked Col Weilacher for attending Lt General Moore will be at HAFB and has a full community engagement plan scheduled He will guest speak on the 14th at the North Suburban Chamber of Commerce, is meeting with the Governor, will hold an industry round table, and will meet with MITRE's Board of Trustees. Continued discussions with Lt. Governor Timothy Murray and state legislators about the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force and long-term community planning issues with Reps. Jay Kaufman and Thomas Stanley: Mr. Rosenberg stated that HATS was honored to have a conversation with the Lt. Governor this evening and introduced him. Tim Murray was re-elected to his 2nd term in 2010, and is working to create jobs, improve education, and make state government more responsive. He is a native of Worcester and began his public office career in 1997 (after being an attorney) with a seat on the Worcester City Council He has been involved in many community initiatives and served three terms as Mayor of Worcester. Under his leadership, Worcester experienced unprecedented economic progress and greatly improved education. As Lt. Governor, he leads several of the Patrick administration's initiatives, including expanding the commuter rail and freight service, transforming housing programs, enhancing veterans services, working on policies toward abuse preventions, and improving ports and infrastructure, and he has been the Chair of the Seaport Advisory Council and the STEM Advisory Council. He has provided leadership in analysis, evaluation, and communication with all of the State's active military installations. HAFB is the centerpiece of this group and its community. Lt Governor Murray thanked HATS for having him, introduced Brig Gen (Ret ) Don Quenneville, Executive Director of the Task Force, and acknowledged Representatives Atkins, Stanley and Kaufman. He recently toured the new National Guard Headquarters, which is in line with the Task Force efforts to support joint base missions. Lt. Governor Murray recognized Lt. Col. Martin Spellacy, who was a part of the tour. Phase 2 of the National Guard headquarters should be finished in 2013 The $47 8 million federally-funded complex will employ about 200 full-time military and civilians during the week and 200 during weekend deployments The economic impact report released last June demonstrated that the impact of HAFB is greater than expected with regard to the local towns and the state and New England area economy. HAFB's economic impact in 2011 was over $8B and is collectively part of the 46,500 direct and indirect jobs related to the 6 installations in the Commonwealth, with an overall economic impact of $14 2B HAFB is the digital nerve center for the Air Force to be one of the most advanced in the world, with missions having huge impacts and economic implications. The heart of HAFB is about innovation, illustrated by the development of the new Lincoln Lab facility. The Task Force was created to bring together stakeholders to be sure analyses and inputs are all inclusive. Partners and resources were discussed Mike Hubbard, military aid for Congresswoman Tsongas and veteran, was acknowledged Both have been tremendous in their participation in the joint base presence There was discussion on preparing for a possible BRAC process in which Hanscom would be evaluated on its infrastructure, energy resources and renewables for cost savings' The Task Force is focused on addressing these areas and and others to preserve the Base and strengthen its service partnerships. Mr Rosenberg asked how local officials can support mission and interact with delegations Gen Quenneville gave a summary of the six subcommittees being formed by the Task Force to engage local stakeholders and high tech business, industry and academic partners. Cybersecurity and information technology are big areas having a synergistic focus along with workforce development and training. Communication protocols, to include HATS and local representatives, was discussed, to enhance community relations. The conversation was opened up to the public Mr. Braun asked about the contemplated Community and Municipal Support and Engagement Subcommittee of the Task Force, which will include representation from each town abutting the six military installations and will begin after the first of the year. Rep Atkins discussed 911 and how HAFB was prepared to provide assistance FEMA is part of the plan for emergency preparedness to be a factor in our competitive strategy Bob Domnitz, Lincoln Planning Board, said the Commonwealth has a seat on the MIT managing board by virtue of it being a land grant institution. This seat has never been filled. The Lt. Governor will look into participation in this regard. Rep Kaufman reminded everyone of the 2005 legislature-authorized bond enacted to enabke improvements related to Hanscom, and he suggested that future such bond funds could be used to create a more effective intersection for Hartwell Ave. at the main gate and hopes this can be reviewed. Andy Friedlich, Lexington, brought up air security issues The Lt Governor discussed the five- corner strategy for air defense and the importance of having that presence Mr. Rosenberg thanked the visitors and said that HATS looks forward to working with their point-of-contacts. Mr. Braun offered to help out in any way the HATS community can. Mr Rosenberg invited Representatives to share their thoughts on some of the work of the state and local government efforts There was a discussion about the 2013 redistricting Rep Kaufman discussed his BRAC experiences and believes we are being well led. Mr. Ng asked about the selection process for the Community and Municipal Support and Engagement Subcommittee. This was discussed, along with HATS involvement in the effort in a more permanent way There was discussion regarding representation, reasons for proactive involvement in the BRAC process, and fall back efforts. It was recommended by Rep. Kaufman to seek guidance from Tim Higgins, Lincoln Town Administrator, regarding government structure, contingency plans, alliances, and outreach. It was suggested that the Lt. Governor appoint an additional task force to develop a contingency plan There was further discussion regarding the impact to local area town parks, privatized base housing, public office representation and local area cost savings Mr Rosenberg then thanked everyone for participating this evening Approval of revised minutes (June 2012): Revisions are still being made. Next meeting date and possible agenda: The November 15th meeting has been cancelled and rescheduled to December 6th. Adjourn: Mr. Braun made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Ng seconded the motion. Vote: Approved 3-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:14 p.m.