HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-02-HATS-min HATS Meeting
May 2, 2013 Meeting Minutes
Members Present: Mike Rosenberg, Bedford Selectmen, Elise Woodward, Concord
Selectmen, Peter Braun, Lincoln Selectmen
Other Attendees: Dorothy Steele, Massport; Andy Friedlich, Lexington HATS
Representative; Margaret Coppe, Lexington School Committee; Richard Canale,
Lexington; J.C. Corcoran, HAFB; Bob Domnitz, Lincoln Planning Board; Amber
Goodspeed, Massachusetts Port Authority, John Willson, Bedford Conservation
Commission (new HATS delegate), Major Gen L Scott Rice, Massachusetts Adjutant
General; Brigadier Gen. Thomas Sellars, Chief of Staff for Major General Rice.
Mr. Rosenberg opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with welcome and introductions at the
Concord Town House. John Willson, the newest member of the HATS delegation, was
introduced from Bedford's Conservation Commission Ms Steele introduced Ms
Goodspeed, successor of Sharon Williams Mr Rosenberg thanked Mr Friedlich for
initiating tonight's conversation with Major Gen. L. Scott Rice from the HAFB National
Guard Facilities. The adjutant general and his associate were welcomed and invited to
join the Committee.
Conversation with Major Gen. L. Scott Rice
Mr. Rosenberg gave a brief overview of the HATS Committee and asked for
background information from the general. Gen. Rice explained that he serves
concurrently with the governor (who asked him to serve as adjutant general), has
federal recognition as an officer (as a 2-star general with the Air Force), is the
commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard (as a part-time federal employee
with 180 days of active duty time), and is a United Airlines pilot (since 1993) His history
in New England started in 1632 before his current career, with a man named Edmin
Rice, who came over from England and initially settled in Lakeville. Rice and three
other men petitioned the MA Bay Court and the community of Sudbury was established.
The general is a direct descendent of a militia man from the time of "the shot heard
around the world" and some additional history was given He discussed three big
organizations included in his mission (1) the Army with 6,500 soldiers in MA (25% are
full-time), (2) the Air National Guard with 2,500 airmen (based in Westfield for flying and
on the Cape for intelligence, command and control), and (3) their State staff of 600
employees (with the Chief of Staff Brigadier General Retired Thomas Sellars, former
Army Commander)
The general discussed a dual federal and state mission, explaining the MA General
Colony signed the Proclamation of 1636 beginning the National Guard and establishing
three regiments to defend the colony -- an Act used to establish the birth of a military
organization. The Proclamation was signed just outside Salem and, since its inception,
every year in April a muster is held in its honor (for training purposes) The general
discussed the Guard's role in events and programs, public safety, funding,
development, and future trends.
Ms Woodward, an architect, attended the Guard Headquarters opening and
commended them for setting a high bar for the sustainability of its headquarters The
general said they are proud of their "green" efforts and they are about to install 9 acres
of solar panels on a landfill on the Cape (property in Camp Edwards) to put power back
on the grid. She asked about Veterans Affairs partnerships and synergy across the
State was discussed -- a goal is to have one veterans officer in every community.
Mr Braun asked about other benefits of being on an active air base, aside from energy
efficiency and consolidation. The general said there are many benefits of being on a
bigger base with a military mission, including synergy, partnerships, cost effective
facility use, community development, and product production.
Mr Friedlich asked what the HATS community could do to help with mission and
wanted to provide updates on Route 2 and 2A construction The general said the area
around HAFB is unique, including a significant amount of intellectual capital (research
and learning institutions) that adds to industry partnerships and programs,but that
HAFB's uniqueness and importance for the Air Force's mission needs to be more
adequately marketed within the Air Force hierarchy, which tends to focus on air wings
and fight-orientation Gen Mark Welsh, Air Force Chief of Staff, is tentatively scheduled
to visit HAFB, which will provide an opportunity to increase his understanding of the
facility's benefits and importance. The HATS community can help provide a real
perspective about its partnership with the base. Public community events during Gen.
Welsh's visit will be announced when finalized. The adjutant general said they could
not exist without the support of the local communities and thanked HATS
Mr Rosenberg noted that during the Vietnam era, the National Guard was seen as a
refuge from deployment. Noting recent patterns of deployment, he asked about
challenges to recruiting. The general discussed the military and national/political
direction of the country in the Vietnam era and now with respect to duty, integrity and
service He said there is a great sense of community connection and the Guard has a
great reputation, providing free education (tuition and fees) along with federal benefits
(housing, subsistence to live) Those who commit to the Guard find substance in serving
something greater than self. Ms. Woodward thanked Gen. Rice for his leadership and
for joining the HATS concersation.
Mr Canale gave an update on MPO activities, saying that Bedford and Lexington
comprise 9 percent of votes on allocations of Federal and State highway funds The Big
Dig will be paid up in full next year (a $120m project) but there will be spending on an
accelerated bridge program that has its own priority list with Federal funding limitations.
The Routes 2/128 bridge replacement project will take an additional construction year
(originally estimated to start in 2014) and will be built over three construction seasons.
The Routes 2A/128 bridge replacement project is off the priority list and now slated for
2018 (instead of 2015-16) Construction and access, funding and priorities, and long-
range planning were discussed, to include projects at Interstate 95 and 93 in Canton
($200m) and Woburn (>$100m). One goal is to create more bicycle and walking transit
accommodations. The TIP in 2017 and Boston MPO allocations were discussed,
including the Polaroid site at the Rt 20 interchange
Mr. Canale continued his update with a discussion of the Battle Road Scenic Byway
Corridor Management Plan and application for federal funds to complete the next steps.
The project was on hold for 2 years and will be restarting. There is a grant from MAPC
to create a management structure and entity to implement the Corridor Plan. There is a
meeting Monday afternoon at the John Buttrick house in Concord Recommendations
are expected by December Selectmen will be attending from Concord and Lincoln
Mr. Canale mentioned that a draft TIP is expected to be available in a few weeks and
there will be a review of highway transit. He said it might be helpful if the selectmen
indicate their support in a letter, and this will be formally requested.
HFAC (Other Regional Updates)
There was a meeting the 3rd Tuesday of April with noise and project reports.
( WHY DELETE?There was a discussion regarding alternatives to the Rt 128 CCC
(Central Corridor Coalition), a project that has been dormant for at least a year Mr
Braun will be meeting with the Waltham mayor soon to establish a relationship as they
are central to this area. Funding was discussed as an issue.)
Future Agenda Items and meeting schedule
Mr Rosenberg said Gen Rice was dynamic, polished, impressive and informative this
evening He moved forward to go over the future agenda The next meeting is
scheduled for June 27 in Concord. Everyone agreed to meet in Concord until notified of
the availability of Lincoln. Mr. Rosenberg suggested the Committee meet in the Town
of the sitting Chair. There was a discussion of future agenda items to include June 27
as follows
Remote participation Concord has adopted this policy but not utilized it Bedford has
not had a need to address this issue. Lexington and Lincoln will consider it. It was
agreed that members will invite visitors who have experience with this. The benefits
(remote voting allowed and enhanced ability to recruit the younger generation for its
involvement in town government) of remote participation were discussed
General Welch's visit There may be a separate special meeting scheduled for the
General's visit if there is sufficient time to schedule one. Mr. Corcoran will communicate
to the committee once a schedule is confirmed.
Affordable housing There was discussion of inviting Housing Commission Chairs
OPEB discussion: This would include proposed legislation from the Governor's office.
New congressional delegation, Ken Gordon and Mike Barrett, regarding State House
and area relationships Representatives could talk about committees they are assigned
to and their interests
Military invitation event: There was discussion of how to schedule this and include
further discussion with Colonel Weilacher.
Meeting schedule - remainder of 2013
The June 27th meeting will allow a forum for HATS to map out meetings for the
remainder of 2013. It was suggested to continue meeting the fourth Thursday of the
month but to find an alternate date for the one meeting between June and September.
A strategy for minutes was discussed to be adopted as notes instead of requiring a
formal approval for Minutes going forward Ms Woodward will look into this
Adjourn: Mr. Friedlich made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Braun seconded the motion.
Vote: Approved 4-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Here are some updates from Lexington per the June HATS agenda:
Remote Participation: The Board has not yet accepted the legislation to
enable remote participation. At our annual goal setting session this month,
we included a goal to move forward on allowing remote participation this
year. Two Selectmen in particular (me and Joe Pato) have an interest in
this issue. We need to get the technology in place that will help us achieve
our objective (new phones) and that is in the implementation phase and
should be in place in a couple of months. We also need to develop our
regulations and that is in process. Some of our committees are very
interested in seeing us allow them to have remote participation
Transportation; We have a water project on Bedford St. that will take place
for several months through the fall. SEEK ALTERNATE ROUTES!
Significant delays are expected throughout the project. We also approved
a grant of location for a federal contractor who will be laying fiber optic
cable for HAFB in a project that should last through the summer. They will
be working on Marrett Rd. (state controlled), Wood St. and Spring St. This
will cause disruption.
My summer schedule is in flux. We usually take August off. Are we
planning a July meeting?
The Lexington Planning Board has appointed a new representative to
HATS. She is:
Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti