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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-24-HATS-min HATS Meeting October 24, 2013 Meeting Minutes Attending: Selectmen Mike Rosenberg, Bedford, HATS Chair , Peter Braun, Lincoln, Deb Mauger, Lexington, Elise Woodward, Concord Planning Board Representatives Nancy Corcoran Ronchetti, Lexington. At-large HATS representatives. Andy Fnedlich, Lexington, Maggie Debbie, Bedford. Oth- ers: Chris Reilly, Town of Lincoln; Tom Ennis, Amber Goodspeed and Sharon Williams, Massachu- setts Port Authority; Nils Gonzalez and Kimberley Peace, Hoyle, Tanner& Associates; Jim Whalen, Henry White, Mark Millar, Jon Langevin and Russ Johnson, Jet Aviation; Steven Ng, Concord Se- lectman, Michael and Katrina Henchman, Concord, Kati Winchell, Save Our Heritage Mr. Rosenberg opened the meeting at 7.30 p.m. with welcome and introductions at the Concord Town House, 22 Monument Square, and reviewed the agenda and guests. Mr. Braun introduced Adam Freudberg, Executive Director of the state Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force. Discussion: Components of upcoming presentation to Air Force Chief of Staff Mr. Freudberg gave an overview of the state's military task force and events leading up to the a very high-level visit from the Chief of Staff, Gen/Mark A. Welsh III, on Nov. 7 and 8. He will be joined by the assistant secretary of the Air Force and other generals for a series of internal and external meet- ings, including a meeting at the State House with the governor and members of the congressional dele- gation HATS, state and other community partners have been included in planning for this visit, which has provided a good partnership model Mr Braun has been representing HATS and communicating how significant it is for Hanscom to be hosting this visit. The goal is to educate about how the work being done at HAFB cannot be replicated elsewhere. Partners preparing for this visit include HATS, MITRE, the Defense Technology Initiative and other community members. HAFB has an $8.44 billion annual economic impact with over 18,000 employees, and the defense industry has over 130,000 jobs in Massachusetts The task force and military leaders have worked together in an historic way over the past few years to partner and collaborate at the state level Areas include workforce development pro- grams, cyber and IT strategy, small business networking, land exchange,base access and security, comprehensive energy auditing, and a military bond bill to authorize state investment in military mis- sion and area economic development. There was a discussion regarding how a Chief of Staff impacts a military installation Mr Braun thanked Congresswoman Niki Tsongas for impacting this visit and he said the base is evaluating cost efficiencies and will bring this forward to HATS communities. Mr. Braun asked about a community subcommittee of the task force that will include 14 towns in a table top exercise. Local, state, and fed- eral partners, as well as other organizations will be included, to talk about a wide variety of shared ser- vices. Grants and state technical assistance were discussed. There was a discussion regarding the schedule with the Chief of Staff HATS will provide a summation of their support of the base for Col JR Weilacher, commander, 66th Air Base Group, to present. There was further discussion regarding what would be included in this statement of support. This will include how Massachusetts is a for- ward, progressive, innovative state, that Hanscom is representative of this, and how the HATS towns contribute to this. MOTION Ms Mauger moved that Mr Braun be designated the author of the materials to be submit- ted for this event, with input from the various towns. Mr. Ng seconded the motion. Approved 4-0-0. There was further discussion about information to include, regionalization, as well as how the local communities will participate in the table top exercise. Area strengths include history, education, ex- tended neighborhoods, including military retirees, veterans' services and the VA hospital. Mr. Rosen- berg asked for any additional input, and format and logistics were discussed. Mr. Rosenberg thanked Mr Freudberg and those involved in the discussion Update. Jet Aviation Prosect at Hanscom Field Jet Aviation representatives were invited to give their presentation. Jim Whalen, project manager, gave an overview. A map was shown and the project area inside the airport facility was pointed out to include Hangar 21, where there will be no change, and Hanger 17,which will be demolished The pro- ject will include changes to have aircraft enter and exit efficiently and safely, to accommodate newer and larger aircraft, to reduce excessive aircraft re-positioning, and to replace an outdated and ineffi- cient hangar. This hangar was discussed along with replacement of square footage, installation of a new land side access road, and parking. A proposed concept site plan was displayed. Impacts of the project include decreased noise, decreased overall air emissions, and no change in surface traffic pat- terns Economic benefits include job growth and support of the local businesses Wetland boundaries have been identified and no work will infringe on these areas Project impacts, to include impervious surfaces, were reviewed. The project will begin with the design phase and permitting in October, with construction to begin in April 2014, and completion in September 2015. The overall goal is to grow the facility and to operate more safely and efficiently. Mr Braun asked if they anticipate a reduction in the number of aircraft activities and if they character- ize this as an expansion of their business A net five-aircraft increase is expected and a more broad- ened business scope, in which there will be an increase in employment. Ms. Woodward inquired about the plan not to alter the wetlands, but pointed out that parking and a roadway are planned through the buffer zone. Mr. Whalen said they will not fill in wetlands nor construct over wetlands, there will be permissible construction within buffer zones. Ms. Woodward asked if they will use pervious pavement or elevated roadways so as not to displace land Mr Whalen said they would elevate the roadway, and will look into pervious surfaces and drainage patterns Ms. Woodward asked about the LEED certification requirements for developing a green site as op- posed to developing an already built site. Currently the proposal is to develop on land that is currently a vegetated buffer instead of locating parking on land that is already developed. Mr. Whalen said that the LEED sustainability process handles energy efficiency and other categories as well He is not sure which factors will be incorporated and possibilities were discussed Ms Woodward asked about their consideration of building a parking structure parking instead of on-grade parking, which increases im- pervious pavement on the site. They did consider this but the available areas are limited based on the need to be in close proximity to the civil air terminal. A two level parking deck was discussed. Ms Mauger asked about complying with the Lincoln Conservation Commission Mr Braun said they were in compliance. Tom Ennis,with Massport, said they were subject to the state regulations for the wetlands protection act but not local bylaws. However, they do go to the local conservation commis- sion. He also said the access road will be at grade. A wetlands delineation has been completed but Jet Aviation will look at the issue of constructing parking in a wetland buffer zone. There was a discus- sion of what would happen if there were objections to the planned surfaces and roadways in this re- gard If the commission rejects the notice of intent, the next step would be to go before the state De- partment of Environmental Protection. They will also be dealing with storm water management. Kim Peace from Hoyle, Tanner&Associates, part of the team that developed the environmental as- sessment, pointed out an area on the map that will be improved by the project with retention areas and drainage. She said the access road is necessary to accommodate this protection and will be sloped in a way that will not impact the wetlands. They are staying clear of the jurisdictional wetlands. Ms. Mau- ger stated they are all very invested in managing storm water and the protection of the wetlands -- she said if we are not aggressive in managing wetlands there could be environmental and health issues but also trouble managing groundwater. Mr. Braun welcomed input from other HATS towns. Mr. Ennis said that Massport takes storm water management very seriously. They have reduced im- pervious surfaces on the airport of approximately 4-5 acres, removing paving and not replacing it They work with the Air Force and DEP for management of storm water as they are near the Shawsheen River headwaters They have looked at weirs within the large storm water pipes on the air- field and are continually looking at this issue to be sure there is appropriate retention for the project. Ms. Mauger asked if a traffic study was required(it was not). Traffic review was taken from the 2005 Massport Environmental Studies Planning Report and the numbers essentially show declined opera- tions and traffic levels far below expectation for these areas They do not expect a significant change as traffic will be off peak Mr Braun asked about increased traffic during construction and construc- tion logistics and the phasing were discussed. The National Park has received the presentation document but has not requested a presentation. Scenic byway issues were recognized and discussed but this project does not impact the scenic byway. Mr. Braun asked that all the other HATS towns be included in planning meetings so they can provide input Mr Rosenberg said the project was introduced to the Advisory Commission over two years ago and asked if parking facilities were included in the original plan. Previous plans were discussed and it in- dicated that plans have been developed as they went. Ms. Woodward said the HATS communities would likely be supportive of the project if it did not add pavement and encroach on the wetland buffer There was discussion of community issues with the in- creased aviation business, traffic in the area as well as impact on wetlands Ms Woodward said the area wants to be the greenest airfield in the country and the interest in having a sustainable building and landscape was applauded. Ms. Mauger asked regarding the status of the 2012 ESPR. Chapters are being reviewed and this should be filed with MEPA before the end of this year. This project was in- cluded in the analysis of the 2012 ESPR and existing conditions in 2012 are smaller than actual condi- tions in 2005, which provided an historical perspective The LEED rating, goals and process was asked about and discussed Ms. Peace said the presentation was based on the environmental assessment and they are currently in an open public comment period. She explained how to comment. The original Nov. 1 deadline has been extended to Nov 18 Also comments can go directly to Richard Doucette at FAA Ms Peace said the comments will be summarized and addressed before the final assessment goes to the FAA The discussion was opened for public comment Mr. Friedlich said that the net change in operations is a big deal for residents. The committee discussed participation in meetings and submission of a letter from HATS for public comment to be first circulated to the four boards. Ms. Woodward will write a draft and circulate it. The committee agreed to get input from their respective boards and will recon- vene with this on the agenda at the Nov 14 HATS meeting Ms. Mauger made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Braun seconded the motion. Vote. Approved 4-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.