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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-29-HATS-min HATS Meeting March 29, 2012 DRAFT Meeting Minutes Members Present. Deb Mauger, Chair, Lexington Selectmen; Elise Woodward, Concord Selectmen, Peter Braun, Renel Fredricksen and Noah Eckhouse, Lincoln Selectmen, Michael Rosenberg, Bedford Selectmen Other Attendees. Dorothy Steele, MassPort; James Corcoran, HAFB; Nancy Nelson and Lou Sideris, Minute Man National Park; Richard Reed, Bedford Town Manager; Timothy Higgins, Lincoln Town Administrator, Chris Whelan, Concord Town Manager, Carl Valente, Lexington Town Manager, Marcia Rasmussen, Concord Planning Director, Chris Anderson, Massachusetts High Tech Council Ms Woodward opened the meeting at 7 30 p m with welcome and introductions in Concord, Massachusetts. Mr. Chris Anderson from the Massachusetts High Tech Council was introduced as a special guest. Elect Chair 2012. Mr Rosenberg made a motion, seconded by Ms Woodward, to elect Ms Mauger as the 2012 HATS Chair Vote Approved 3-0-0 Update from Chris Anderson, Massachusetts High Tech Council. Mr Anderson congratulated Ms Mauger on her election as Chair and then proceeded to give some background regarding his presentation He said Ms Mattes did a terrific job representing HATS during the 2005 BRAC and she was instrumental with the HATS community. Senator Kennedy and Governor Romney asked the MA High Tech Council to steward the state campaign to create a technology mission that could be conducted in close proximity to their innovation assets MA has the highest concentration of scientists and technologists in the country, with the effort becoming a regional one to improve communication The MA High Tech Council has a commitment to the defense technology initiative and to establishing a technology board to connect leadership around the region. A technology board will include innovators in the region and foster the successful launching of ideas in our exploding market Mr Anderson discussed how to use their cross border-cross party effort to assist the region in strategy development. This would include aligning technology capabilities with federal priorities to create a regional value proposition that can be utilized and advocated at the federal, state, and local level With the high density of innovation assets in MA, there should be no problem obtaining funding There is a terrific leadership team that includes Jack Wilson, DTI Chairman, an advisory board to include the NH High Technology Center, The RI Economic Development Corp., the CT Center for Advanced Technology and the Small Business Association of New Englan In New England, partners include the North Suburban Chamber, the Association of Industries, MASS Development and MASS Port The mission of the science & tech boards is being re-established as well as responding to the gap in regional data to support these missions The MA Donahue Institute studies will be refreshed on an annual basis to evaluate, track and trend data to develop informed strategic interconnected congressional involvement. Senators Kerry and Brown co-hosted a New England delegation meeting in January of 2011 and it was extremely well attended As a result, there have been a series of regular meetings with the 8 Senate Arms Service Committee Members and the 4 House Arms Service Committee Members, as well as their staff. There is a huge education requirement among the congressional delegation to be aware of the DoD assets in New England but also to appreciate the need to work together to support the mission for bringing solutions to meet critical federal government requirements -- to solve national challenges including job creation and retention Mr. Anderson explained financial trends and concerns (developed through a data set that reviewed a downward trend at defense spending) and defense cuts were discussed (which are expected to be about 20% across the board even before job cuts and a 2015 BRAC) There is the threat of sequestration and reorganizations are expected For example, ESC at HAFB will be combined with another center and headquartered at Wright Patterson, uniformed leadership will see a three star reduced to a 2 star, and there will be a reduction in the number of program executors running core mission. The reorganization is planned for November and a BRAC is expected in 2015 Mr Anderson discussed some collaborative efforts for cyber specific opportunities at HAFB The State of MA has reinvigorated the way it is coordinating its public resources through the formation of a military asset task force to coordinate the state response around the state DoD assets -- the focus is on energy costs, infrastructure issues and support of any brick and mortar requirements consistent with mission. DTI is focused on technology mission which if changed substantially would create a supply chain issue that would ripple through the economy However, there is tremendous excitement about upcoming opportunities The question and answer period was opened up to the public. Mr Braun asked about the possibility of a different veterans medical care system associated with HAFB. There was a discussion of how this facility might be replaced along with operating costs, conserving energy and planning in advance for the BRAC. Mr Rosenberg had a comment about how daunting sequestration can be even without a BRAC and its impact on mission There was a discussion regarding the sequestration and how it will impact the defense sector, Massachusetts, a future BRAC and regional competition. A goal is to review the asset strengths in Massachusetts and plan accordingly. Ms Woodward asked about strengthening the voice of the congressional delegation and widening it to New England, and commented that it is the hope of the communities that a leader in the Federal delegation will emerge and be a spokesperson for the intellectual capital around the Hanscom area She asked Mr Anderson how to encourage the delegation to step up He commented on the importance of constant communication and adequate data in order to facilitate communication toward making progress The Committee discussed the process of communication with delegates as well as those individuals to involve in the process Mr Rosenberg asked about the influence base leadership has on long-term planning Mr Anderson commented that even as uniformed leadership is constantly changing, civilian leadership tends to be more stable and can be an influence. There is currently work to develop a relationship with leadership at Wright Patterson as well as the Pentagon through the development of a data centric communications model, based on facts regarding the location of resources. This can positively influence the mission and communications about the mission making the alignment with resources more real. Ms. Mauger pointed out the advantage in Massachusetts is its universities, innovation assets and technology experts However, not everyone has this understanding about the New England area and the effort requires a sustained process involving communities, employers, and universities who have the long-term vision and can take on the responsibility of collaborative education. There was a discussion regarding HAFB representation as the mission capital, goal shifting as funding shifts, using education and advocacy as an approach to meet goals, access to innovation, the impact of the BRAC shedding jobs taking people away from the developed innovative community, the operating missions at different locations around the country and the possibility of integrating the missions with New England's technology missions and delegates. Mr Higgins, Lincoln Town Administrator, asked if there are recommended investments from the Hanscom Area Towns that could make an impact There was a discussion regarding this and Mr. Anderson recommended assisting the base in reducing energy costs. Mr Braun mentioned that Lincoln runs the HAFB school system, they just renewed their 5-year contract, and there could be a review done to enhance the educational experience Mr. Anderson concluded the discussion by stating that those at HAFB that are not a part of the turnover are very effective at what they do. Mr. Corcoran is a valuable resource and HAFB is very lucky to have him there Next Steps for HATS in LRA Organization All four Selectmen have approved the revised Memorandum of Understanding. Ms. Woodward said the revisions were circulated, signed and are in place Mr Rosenberg asked what happens at this point Ms Woodward asked the Town Managers and Administrators about their plans to organize the four towns for the LRA Mr Valente suggested a meeting with David Knisely who has advised about this in the past. Ms. Mauger will set up a meeting with him and timelines were discussed Confirm 2012 HATS Participants. The Committee discussed town representatives as follows. Lincoln Mr Braun said Lincoln will make a decision in the next few weeks Ms Woodward said Ms Mattes has been a vibrant addition to HATS with a wonderful historical perspective Mr. Braun suggested an alternating participation and was referenced to the documentation to determine how to involve proxies and how this can impact voting Concord The Planning Board Representative is Coleman Hoight Concord has not appointed a representative at large as of yet. Bedford. Lisa Mustapich will represent the Planning Board. Conservation has been reviewed and is not required but recommended. An at large member needs to be assigned. Lexington Margaret Coppe and Andy Friedlich are the at large representatives The Environmental Subcommittee was discussed as this Committee can assist in the process to review scope. Mr. Canale will continue to Chair this committee. On 4/4 there will be a scoping session, with closing comments on 4/20 The Selectmen will determine who the town members are for this. The Committee discussed collecting comments, to be forwarded to Mr. Canale if that is agreeable to him Ms Mauger to check with him and let the Committee know Approval of Minutes. Mr Rosenberg made a motion to approve the September 8, 2011 minutes Ms Woodward seconded the motion. Vote. Approved 3-0-0 Mr Rosenberg made a motion to approve the October 27, 2011 minutes Ms Mauger seconded the motion. Vote. Approved 2-0-0. Ms. Mauger will check with Counsel to be sure this vote can be accepted. Ms. Woodward votes to approve the minutes, Vote. Approved 3-0-0, and could be included in the vote as she consolidated edited comments. She recommends issuing minutes for record without approval if the current approved vote is not accepted Ms. Woodward made a motion to approve the January 6, 2012 minutes for the record. Mr. Rosenberg seconded the motion Vote. Approved 3-0-0 The Committee discussed the problem with rotating members and agreed it is better to issue them for the record. Miscellaneous. Ms. Mauger said that everyone will miss Ms. Mattes, they have appreciated what she has done for all the communities and asked if anyone wanted to say anything on the record about her. Mr. Rosenberg stated he asked Ms. Mattes to consider being an at large member, she was a mentor to all of them, a bridge for many precedents of what there is to talk about and an authentic advocate of the region that is hard to find He has a tremendous respect for what she has been for the Committee Ms. Woodward said Ms. Mattes is inspirational in thinking collectively about what is going on in the region and hopes she will be an unofficial resource even if she is not an at large member Ms Mauger will draft a letter on their behalf as a small token of appreciation Mr. Rosenberg asked for comments on Town Meeting highlights that might have implications for the HATS affiliates. Bedford. Mr. Rosenberg reported most of financial votes are still to come on salaries, budgets and reserves, Town Meeting seems to be cognizant of spending so far, just barely passed a reduced vehicle replacement line that won by 10 votes, and people are paying more attention Lexington. A debt exclusion override was passed to renovate 2 elementary schools and rebuild a third (Special Town Meeting will be held to allocate funds for this) and that Lexington has joined GIC this year and have not run through the financial articles yet There are no regional issues Lexington is proud of their shared affordable housing coordinator, who is proving to be a successful help with administration and data This is in their second year and the collaboration has won an innovation award. Concord. Concord's Town Meeting will be the last week of April There are no regional issues there but Ms Woodward will report in April Lincoln. Lincoln passed Minute Man Regional Emergency Repairs to Trade Hall. This is also up to be approved on the warrant in Concord at their special town meeting. There is a regional focus on the green energy committee initiatives and this is a strength to contemplate for the future especially in attacking energy costs at HAFB There was a discussion regarding community transportation staffing, initiatives and changes as a result of MBTA (fares to increase 23%). Next Meeting Date, Location, Possible Agenda Items. Ms. Mauger will contact everyone to coordinate with Mr. Knisely and Mr. Anderson. The Committee is asking for an update on major transportation items on the TIP particularly Crosby's Corner through MAGIC and discussed the Crosby Corner project The Committee discussed meeting dates, times and locations as there have been schedule conflicts. The third Thursday of the month was discussed as an option as well as meeting every other month, which could reduce HATS validity Mr Rosenberg suggested meeting 10 times a year is important as they are on the front lines for the area towns The next meeting will be on April 26th and meetings will continue on the 4th Thursday each month for now Dates for 2012 will be circulated as confirmation and changes made as the year goes on. Ms. Woodward will confirm the Concord location is okay Adjourn. Mr Rosenberg made a motion to adjourn Ms Woodward seconded the motion Vote. Approved 4-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9.00 p.m.