HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-14-HATS-min HATS Meeting
November 14, 2013 Minutes
Attending: Selectmen Mike Rosenberg, Bedford, HATS Chair, Peter Braun, Lincoln; Deb Mauger,
Lexington, Elise Woodward, Concord Planning Board Representatives. Bob Domnitz, Lincoln, Lisa
Mustapich, Bedford At-large HATS representatives Maggie Debbie, Bedford, Andy Friedlich,
Lexington. Others. Renel Fredriksen, Lincoln selectman, Stephen Ng, Concord Selectman, Amber
Goodspeed, Massachusetts Port Authority; Lou Sideris, Minute Man National Historical Park; Katie
Winchell, Save Our Heritage.
Mr Rosenberg opened the meeting at 710 p m with welcome and introductions at the Concord Town
House, located at 22 Monument Square, Concord, Massachusetts
Discussion: Remote participation
Mr. Rosenberg shared that the five statutory reasons an elected or appointed official can be permitted
remote meeting participation illness, disability, emergency, limitation from geographical distance or
military service A board or committee can decide to opt out of remote participation
The experience in Concord was discussed. There are layers of notification and each chair is allowed to
decide based on individual requests. It is expensive to set up a conference room for video
conferencing when a poly-com is not used. Concord has two designated conference rooms and a
required notification time frame The Finance Committee and a few other committees have used
remote participation There was further discussion regarding allowing remote participation to include
efficiency for voting purposes, as well as equipment use and individual town policies.
Lincoln decided to proceed with two poly-com systems for a one-year trial period. State law requiring
a physical forum and types of meetings appropriate for remote participation were discussed. This
included what is the appropriate protocol if there were documents distributed at a meeting where there
was remote participation and positive outcomes such as creating continuity for planning and zoning
boards that have to have all members at pertinent hearings to enable members to vote. Executive
session parameters,judgment latitude for the chair, the state template,people with disabilities, clarity
of audio,benefits and drawbacks of moving forward to set this up or opting out were discussed.
Benefits include transparency, cost and an upturn from the decline in volunteerism. Concord's process
was to develop a draft policy and put out to town departments to discuss Mr Rosenberg thanked
everyone for their input
Review of visitation by Air Force Chief of Staff
The visit was characterized as upbeat and very positive Mr Braun said the base was the setting for an
afternoon meeting with about 50 people participating The chief of staff was impressed The message
was the unique Hanscom mission, including cyber weaponry, might make this installation the future of
the Air Force. There was discussion with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, who has Hanscom
preservation a top priority. Mr. Braun sent a press release regarding the state government meeting with
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other elected officials.
Ms Mauger said the remarks at the social event indicated that the Air Force should be responsive to
congressional action Currently there is a budget struggle, where there will be significant cuts leaving
them smaller in size but still needing to be first rate U S Rep Tsongas is being relied upon to help
solve the problem.
Mr. Rosenberg brought up the challenge faced by HATS with no current Air Force representative. He
will make contacts regarding a new representative
Mr. Braun brought up the future table top exercise and will monitor this so HATS can participate. It
was agreed the municipalities should be involved.
Position regarding Jet Aviation project at Hanscom Field
There has been consensus from selectmen in all four towns to allow HATS to express concern and
opposition to the some of the Jet Aviation expansion plans, specifically regarding i past positions of
boards and public officials at various levels of government. A letter has been prepared and can be
included in the minutes. The towns endorsed the concept and draft letter.
HATS communities will support no expansions of operations and infrastructure or airport footprint at
Hanscom until or unless a regional transportation plan is put in place to permanently protect
communities and restore resources from any aviation related environmental impacts. HATS requests
Jet Aviation identify anticipated air traffic and propose alternative plans that will not require
modifications to the existing airport plan, confirm that plans be presented for review to the Lincoln
Conservation Commission in regards to wetlands and buffer areas,propose a plan that will not
encroach on currently unbuilt areas, and consider an alternative plan that includes structured parking
rather than paved parking When the letter is approved it will be submitted to Hoyle, Tanner and
Associates as it was solicited by them.
MOTION: Ms. Mauger moved that the HATS committee send, for public comment on the Jet
Aviation project for Hanscom Field, the letter as presented. The meeting was opened up for
discussion. The letter head was discussed. It was suggested to use Bedford's letterhead.
Ms Mauger amended the motion for HATS to reprove the letter as amended Mr Braun seconded the
motion. Vote: Approved 4-0-0
Mr. Rosenberg received three public comments from Bedford residents. Mrs. Mauger also shared a
comment from Jeanne Krieger, chair of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission, to endorse
Hanscom at the Crossraods The next HFAC meeting is after the deadline The letter will be sent in
tomorrow's mail and sent electronically It was discussed that the boards did not include comments
regarding Hanscom at the Crossroads in the letter.
Transportation updates
Mr Braun said Lincoln and state Department of Transportation officials meet bi-weekly on the Route
2 project. The access road's projected completion date was discussed as it has been paved. There is no
news regarding the proposed reconstruction of the Route 2 overpass over Route 95 (128), which is on
the TIP. The Route 2A overpass is not on the project list. Mr. Braun attended a 128 corridor meeting,
where the Waltham mayor and Weston selectmen engaged in dialogue about developments that are
now slowed down The Market Basket project, however, is proceeding in Waltham There is a traffic
plan that will be approved but it does not look like there will be a new interchange There are huge
developments by Newton and each project will be reviewed by intersection.
Mr. Rosenberg asked about Routes 4 and 225 in Lexington. Ms. Mauger said no design funds have
been designated yet. Area traffic, technology, roadway design, signals and capacity were discussed.
Some neighborhood groups have attended the town meetings and asked for a pilot for speed tables and
speed bumps As no new projects are being accomplished due to funding and capacity limitations,
local officials are trying to determine what small things can be done all over town It was suggested to
include town engineers in discussions about the redesign of traffic signals, and safety and speed were
discussed.
Mr. Braun attended a public hearing of the Joint Legislative Committee of Telecommunications
regarding House Bill 2927, the latest iteration of the municipal electric bill This will enable
communities to initiate and form their own municipal electric systems and set a fair public utilities
rate. Participating spoke in favor of this bill, and there is written testimony in favor as well. The only
potential opponent is NStar. The state Department of Public Utilities (DPU) was put in charge of asset
valuation. The process and benefits were discussed at the Lincoln State of the Town meeting.
Future agenda items
Topics discussed included economic development(how addressed by individual and regional
communities and how impacted by tourism), subcommittee involvement in development and traffic
projects, Minuteman Tech campus reconfiguration and financial impact, representatives, and housing
(mechanization, assessment, values and impact, and planning boards).
The committee discussed meeting dates The next meeting is scheduled for January 23, 2014 (back to
the fourth Thursday of the month). Mr. Rosenberg will reach out to area legislators to participate in
future meetings. Minutes will be reviewed at the next meeting.
Ms. Mauger moved to adjourn. Mr. Braun seconded the motion. Vote: Approved 4-0-0. The meeting
was adjourned at 8 52 p m