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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-24-HATS-min Hanscom Area Towns Committee (HATS) DRAFT Meeting Minutes September 24, 2015 HATS Members. Peter Braun, HATS Chair and Lincoln Selectman; Steve Ng, Concord Select Board, Michael Rosenberg, Bedford Selectman; Joe Pato, Lexington Selectman. Other HATS Representatives: Lisa Mustapich, Bedford Planning Board; Maggie Debbie, Bedford, Robert Easton, Concord Planning Board. Others in attendance. Christopher Willenborg, Executive Director, Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force; Anne Marie Dowd, Executive Vice President, MassDevelopment; Adam Freudberg, Senior Advisor for Collaboration and Innovation, Hanscom Air Force Base, Amber Goodspeed, Manager, Airport Administration, Hanscom Air Field; Katie Winchell, Save our Heritage; James Craig, Lincoln; Jim Hutchinson, Lincoln, Robert Lemire, Lincoln; Virginia Lemire, Lincoln; Chris Whelan, Concord Town Manager; Jessica Casserly, Community Relations, Hanscom Air Force Base. Introductions and Announcements Mr. Braun opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with welcome and introductions at the Lincoln Town Offices. Mr. Braun also referred everyone to recent events posted on the HATS website, www.hanscomareatownscommittee.com . Air Force Base Military Assets Task Force Update: Mr. Willenborg said that the Task Force looks forward to continuing its efforts and gave his background. He has been on the job for about four and a half weeks, this is his first HATS meeting, and he appreciates being here. He has visited Hanscom five times already to see how the Task Force can help fulfill its mission. Prior to his current position on the Task Force, Mr. Willenborg was the State Aeronautics Director for MASSDOT and was a member of the Task Force working with Adam Freudberg. Mr. Willenborg was previously the Airport Manager of the Barnes Regional airport, which serves both military and civilian flights In short, Mr Willenborg has worked with the military and airports for the last 16 years and is excited to bring those experiences to the Task Force. He reviewed the Task Force's mission to maintain and protect the six military installations in Massachusetts and build collaborative partnerships with industry, academia, local communities, and State and federal political leadership. There is speculation that another BRAC process may occur in the next several years, and in the meantime the military continues to be in a cost-cutting mode, all of which reinforces the need to focus on strengthening the installations. Ms. Dowd gave an update on MassDevelopment's efforts on behalf of the Task Force and in support of the Governor's goal of building on Massachusetts' high- tech business and academic strengths. MassDevelopment is a self-funded quasi-public agency created by statute to serve a public/private partnership mission, managed by a Governor-appointed Board of Directors, including issuing tax-exempt bonds for hospitals, universities, cultural institutions, and economic development organizations. They also serve as Massachusetts' real estate development agency, such as handling redevelopment of closed military installations, such as the Charlestown Navy Yard and Ft. Devens, and thus bring a wealth of experience to Hanscom with respect to development and military agency interaction. With respect to Hanscom Air Force Base, Ms Dowd described a variety of ongoing activities, including a comprehensive energy audit, investment in various energy-saving projects, development of a cogeneration plant to serve the Base and Lincoln Labs, development of a master plan to make better use of vacant land and underutilized buildings, transfer of land to accommodate Vandenberg Gate improvements, workforce development through academic and industry programs, and capitalization for the contemplated Lincoln Labs redevelopment. As context, Ms. Dowd mentioned the Defense Department's orientation to increasing installations' connections and synergy with their surrounding communities, through providing opportunities for private entities and federal agencies to occupy underutilized areas, as well as the public-private community partnership (P4) effort in which the HATS communities are already active participants. Mr Willenborg talked about capital projects being funded by the $177M military bond bill to strategically invest in projects toward enhancing and improving installations, including the Aviation Research center that involves UMass Amherst partnering with Westover Air Base; new test sites at Joint Base Cape Cod; reuse of hanger space at Westover Air Reserve Base for aircraft maintenance to generate business activities at the airport; roadway repairs; the $3 million Hanscom HCIC facility upgrades, the Barnes runway project, a new center to be developed at the Natick facility to increase its R&D capacity; and a customized cloud platform for the Air Force that can be expanded to partnering companies. Ms. Dowd emphasized that Hanscom has never been on a base closure list, contrary to what may have been said in the past and has always been recognized as necessary for the Air Force's mission. She added that the 2005 BRAC process was focused on consolidation and joint use, while next BRAC process will be about saving costs. She also said that the general belief is that the business and academic ecosystem that supports Hanscom cannot be replicated. Mr. Braun said that the role of the Task Force to enhance Hanscom's mission, as well as find appropriate cost-savings opportunities, is very much appreciated. Ms. Dowd also announce that former Hanscom commander General Davis will be joining the Task Force soon as a resource for managing a possible BRAC process and mission and land development initiatives. She added that other similar additions to the Task Force team are imminent. Mr Braun discussed the recent visit to Hanscom of the Secretary of the Air Force and the impressive delegation of State and federal political leadership who emphasized their unequivocal support for Hanscom and dialogued with her about specific enhancement efforts. Mr Rosenberg commented that although a BRAC process would be expected to focus on costs, it is good to hear that the Task Force's mission is both to save costs and enhance mission. Mr. Braun commented that although additional development of the Base could raise questions about traffic and other environmental concerns, he would like to establish a focus from the outset on being supportive and urged that the local communities be involved in the planning process early and often. Mr. Willenborg assured HATS that the Task Force would emphasize community involvement and transparency. Base Collaboration and Innovation Update: Mr. Braun then welcomed back Mr. Freudberg, who is now not only able to observe the fruit of his work in establishing the Task Force but collaborate with it in serving as collaboration and innovation advisor for Hanscom He presented a draft strategic innovation plan outlined in a PowerPoint presentation, emphasizing the need for more rapid prototyping and research to get products developed at lower costs, as well as enhancing opportunities for government- acdemia-business technology transfer and workforce training. In response to a question from Mr. Rosenberg, Mr. Freudberg and Ms. Dowd stated that although economic data tends to focus on Massachusetts, they recognize the multi-state impacts and benefits of military installations and are making efforts to strengthen political contacts among the New England states regarding mutual support of military installations. Mr. Braun thanked attendees for their presentations and said that local support and collaboration is imperative. Mr Ng commented that he is interested in learning more about planning efforts. Ms. Dowd said in October there will be an announcement about a new addition to their team who will assist in this regard and they will let HATS know. Mr. Freudberg said that this will be a joint effort that includes HATS. Mr. Braun said Lincoln will have a new Planning Director coming on board soon and emphasized the need to bring the four towns' planning boards and staff, as well as the National Park, into the dialogue. Mr Braun also said the P-4 Partnership process has been reinvigorated and there have been brainstorming opportunities to identify more opportunities to collaborate with the Base to increase efficiency and quality. Mr Whelan asked for more information about the proposed Cogen facility. Ms Dowd recapped that it will be a two-turbine, gas-powered facility developed among Hanscom, MassDevelopment, and MIT Lincoln Labs. An RFP will be issued soon, and it will be sited near the current power plant. Mr. Braun thanked the Task Force and MassDevelopment for its efforts and communication and invited them to another HATS meeting soon to update their planning activities. MassPort/Air Field Community Advisory Committee: Mr. Braun and Ms. Goodspeed confirmed that there is nothing new to report Hanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) Update: Mr. Rosenberg reported that the Jet Aviation project will involve trucking of excavated material to storage on the MassPort ballfield along Virginia Road during October. Regional Transportation and Related Concerns Rt. 2 Updates (Crosby Corner and 1-95 Bndae Projects). Mr. Braun said that all four lanes of the flyover are now open, and the roadway configuration near and under the flyover is nearing its permanent configuration, after which the focus will transition to the service roads, ramps and landscaping. It was also noted that there will be temporary ramp closures soon on the 1-95 project. Future Meetings and Main Agenda Items Oct 22- Colonel Vogel will give an annual update There will be no November meeting due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Dec 3- The focus will be on a Climate/Sustainability Roundtable Town representatives should designate an attendee The Committee discussed who to include and contact for this. MAGIC is undertaking a regional approach to climate change and a Lincoln Representative will be part of both. Jan. 28- TBD Feb. 25. MassPort CEO Thomas Glynn has committed to provide an annual MassPort update. March 24: There is typically no meeting in March due to Town Meetings. Potential Topics/Visitors include: Task Force/MassDevelopment update; National Park Service (Mr. Rosenberg to talk to Ms. Nancy Nelson), repeat visit of the MBTA Advisory Board Executive Director, repeat roundtable discussion of traffic and commuting alternatives, and the Lieutenant Governor, although her office is not responding to inquiries Minutes — June 4, 2015 Meeting There were no comments. MOTION: Mr. Rosenberg moved that they approve the June 4, 2015 minutes. Mr. Ng seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion. Vote: Approved 4-0-0. The Committee discussed current HATS topics and the goings on in the area and how exciting things are right now. Adjourn MOTION: Mr. Ng moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Rosenberg seconded the motion All were in favor and the meeting was adjourned at 9:13pm