HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-24-HATS-min HATS Board Meeting
April 24, 2014
Lincoln Town Offices
DRAFT Meeting Minutes
Attending: HATS Selectmen Members: Mike Rosenberg, Bedford, Peter Braun, Lincoln, Deb Mauger,
Lexington, and Elise Woodward, Concord, Planning Board Members. Lisa Mustapich, Bedford, At-
Large Members:Maggie Debbie, Bedford.Others in attendance: Jennifer Green-Lanchoney, Hanscom
AFB;Nancy Nelson, Minute Man National Park; Amber Goodspeed, Massport; Natalie Kaufman, Office
of Cong. Katherine Clark; Chris Whelan, Concord Town Manager; Jim John Hutchins Hutchens, Concord
Finance Committee, Peyton Marshall, Lincoln Finance Committee
Mr. Rosenberg opened the meeting at 7.30 p.m. with welcome and introductions at the Lincoln Town Of-
fices. It was then moved by Mr. Rosenberg and seconded by Ms. Mauger, to elect Peter Braun for a one-
year term as HATS Chair. The motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Braun thanked the Board for the
opportunity to serve as Chair and welcomed input as the year progresses.
OPEB/GASB Discussion:
Mr. Braun introduced a discussion of the four towns' policies and practices regarding compliance with
Government Accounting Standards Board(GASB) reporting requirements of Other Post-Employment
Benefits (OPEB) liabilities. Mr. Braun noted that the discussion is one of a series of occasional exchanges
of information and ideas among the towns on matters of common interest Mr Braun welcomed guests
Mr Hutchins, Mr Whelan, and Mr Marshall to participate in the discussion Each town's representatives
then described their current policies and practices (Mr. Marshall for Lincoln, Mr. Whelan and Mr.
Hutchins for Concord; Ms. Mauger for Lexington; and Mr. Rosenberg for Bedford). There was then fur-
ther discussion of specific aspects of common interest, including the economic rationale for funding the
OPEB liability(in addition to the rationale of complying with GASB requirements), the financial implica-
tions of balancing current funding imperatives and long-term savings-oriented imperatives, and the actu-
aries' treatment of the discount rate in relation to a town's commitment to a funding plan All four towns
have the goal to maintain their AAA ratings for improved borrowing rates.
MassPort/Jet Aviation Update:
Mr Braun reported on the status of the MassPort/Jet Aviation application for a wetlands permit pending
before the Lincoln Conservation Commission (LCC) He reported that the hearing process had concluded
after five sessions and that the LCC had voted to grant a permit under the State's regulations subject to
conditions still being developed to be announced in May that will likely include an indication that the
LCC believes that the Lincoln by-laws are applicable. Mr. Braun noted that MassPort does not agree that
the Lincoln by-laws are applicable and that it is unclear how or when that issue would be resolved Mr
Braun also noted that the Lincoln Board of Selectman had not taken a position on any aspect of the LCC
proceeding. He added that the LCC hearings had attracted considerable attention from residents concerned
with MassPort expansion and that he hoped that substantive dialogue regarding the expansion issue would
occur beyond the confines of a specific land-use application. More specifically, he stated that he hoped
that MassPort would give attention to HATS' prior expressions of interest in engaging in substantive dia-
logue with MassPort senior management, including dialogue regarding how to balance MassPort's ful-
fillment of its mission with the local communities' environmental concerns
HATS Web Site:
Mr. Braun introduced the concept of establishing a HATS web site, which he believes will enhance the
visibility and accessibility of HATS' activities in the four towns and to other interested persons and or-
ganizations He envisioned a simple site that would be linked into the four towns' web sites and would
house HATS minutes, HATS meeting videos, HATS-related documents, links to sites relevant to HATS
interests, and other information as appropriate. It was the Board's consensus that Mr. Braun should ex-
plore the concept further regarding hosting, cost, and administration and that Mr. Braun should report
back to the Board at its next meeting.Regional transportation updates
Route 2• Mr Braun reported that Lincoln continues to work closely with Department of Transportation
(DOT)regarding enhancements to the Route 2 landscaping and fencing plan, that the more visible part of
the Crosby Corner bridge/service road/ramp phase had begun, and that Lincoln continues to coordinate
with DOT to manage the access and related issues stemming from the imminent commencement of con-
struction of the new health care components of the Commons In Lincoln senior living facility. Mr. Braun
noted that the relationship with the Department of Transportation has continued to be excellent.
Mr Braun also noted the MPO's recent report on implemented traffic light coordination along Route 2
and recommendations for turning lanes to help alleviate queuing traffic at Route 2 intersections in Lincoln
and Concord.
Mr. Braun also reported that at the most recent HFAC meeting he had requested MassPort to investigate
the history of the establishment and discontinuation of a traffic detail at the 2A/Hanscom Drive intersec-
tion at rush hour, as well as consider restoration of the detail Ms Goodspeed responded that MassPort
had taken the request under advisement, believes that the expense had been shared with Lincoln North
and other commercial property owners in the area, and would be willing to consider restoration if the ex-
pense were shared proportionately to traffic-generation. Mr. Braun thanked MassPort for considering the
request and suggested that further discussion occur at the next HATS meeting.
Update: Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force:
Mr. Braun reported on his most recent communications with Adam Freudberg, including the following:
the upcoming transitions of the current heads of the AFMC (General Wolfenbarger), the AFLCMC (Gen-
eral Moore), and the 66th ABG (Colonel Weilacher); the continuing speculation and the political dynamics
regarding a possible BRAC process in 2017, that the CEIF building improvements remain the only cur-
rently planned use of the bond funds at Hanscom, and that the Vandenberg Gate land swap is proceeding,
albeit slowly.
Mr. Braun also stated that Mr. Freudberg has requested a slot on the May 22 HATS agenda as part of a
larger outreach effort by the Task Force, and that there is still potential for Cong Clark to attend the May
22 HATS meeting Mr Braun also reported that he had suggested that Cong Clark be prepared to discuss
Hanscom and regional transportation issues, and he requested the HATS members to think of other possi-
ble topics.
Future HATS Meetings:
It was the Board's consensus to not hold a June meeting due to scheduling conflicts and to schedule the
next HATS meetings for May 22 and July 24 unless urgent matters require additional or revised dates.
Future agenda items may include update on the Hanscom signage as reviewed by the NPS, PPPP with
HAFB update, regional transportation, Battle Road Scenic Byway implementation plan update.
Minutes and Adjournment:
A motion to approve the March February27, 2014 meeting minutes was made by Mike Rosenberg, se-
conded by Elise Woodward and passed unanimously. A motion to adjourn was made by Deb Mauger se-
conded by Mike Rosenberg and passed unanimously.
Submitted by Peter Braun