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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-28-HATS-min Hanscom Area Towns Committee (HATS) DRAFT Meeting Minutes January 28, 2016 HATS Members. Peter Braun, HATS Chair and Lincoln Selectman; Steve Ng, Concord Select Board, Mike Rosenberg, Bedford Selectman, Joe Pato, Lexington Selectman. Other HATS Representatives: Maggie Debbie, Bedford. Others in attendance: Nancy Nelson, Minuteman National Historical Park Superintendent; Amber Goodspeed, MassPort; Jessica Casserly, Public Affairs, Hanscom AFB Introductions and Announcements Mr Braun opened the meeting at the Lincoln Town Offices at 7:30 p.m. and welcomed Ms Nelson Minuteman National Park - Centennial Celebration Ms Nelson noted that August 25, 2016 will mark the 100th anniversary for the National Park Service (NPS), that there are over 400 units of the national park system, including 17 in New England, and that all are gearing up to have celebration activities and programs this year. See then presented a short video highlighting the NPS and celebration. Ms. Nelson then focused on the Minuteman National Historical Park, established in1959, and some of its development milestones and features. She also highlighted the Park's economic contribution to the region generated by over one million annual visitors. She acknowledged that further development and increased activity are subject to federal budget limitations. The Parker's Revenge project was discussed, with a report expected to be completed by mid-April (see FriendsofMinuteman.org for more information). Artifacts and scenery will be on display after a fundraising effort assists with restoration. Ms Nelson shared her vision that the NPS Centennial is an opportunity to invite people to discover the meaning of the Park. A video was shown to describe the Every Kid in a Park Initiative to grant fourth graders free passes to visit national parks The Park is working with the Base to include their students They also contemplate hosting a naturalization ceremony in September She reported that there is currently an allocation of 22 full time positions for the Park, but they are operating at about 60% capacity. They welcome volunteers (www.nps.aov/mima). The HATS Board suggested ways for the Park to enhance local communications. Ms. Nelson also noted that the only contemplated capital projects are structural (exterior and interior) at the Wayside, rehabilitation of the Buttrick residence (MNP headquarters), and needed repairs to the Battle Road Trail. Ms. Nelson was thanked for hosting the medal of honor recipients Mr. Rosenberg asked why the Lexington Battle Green is not part of the Park. Mr. Pato said the community wanted to maintain control over the resource and it remains a Common owned by the residents and is a source of pride for Lexington. Ms. Nelson will inform everyone when the celebration calendar is made available, and Mr Braun said she is welcome to return to a HATS meeting as plans develop Mr Rosenberg shared his appreciation of the Park and its contribution to the community. Air Force Base Recent news regarding the Hanscom Air Force Base was noted, including the appointment of Lt. Col. David Dunklee as Commander of the 66th Air Base Group and his expected promotion to Colonel, as well as media reports regarding the potential location of an enclave within the Base for refugees, mostly teenagers, who had crossed the Mexican/US border and been taken into US custody. Mr. Braun noted that the local towns are relying on state and federal legislators for information on this matter and that there did not presently appear to be any specific issues of local concern, since it was unclear whether such an enclave would be located at Hanscom at all and the information provided to date indicated that any such enclave would be wholly self-contained, serve the refugees only until placed in homes, and not impact the local communities. MassPort/Air Field Amber Goodspeed, MassPort, discussed GE's expressed interest in relocating their six-jet corporate flight department to Hanscom Air Field in connection with GE's move of its corporate headquarters to Boston. She noted that this project is in an early stage of an anticipated two-year implementation and that MassPort would keep HATS informed as more detailed plans are developed. She also confirmed Mr Rosenberg's understanding that the project is currently envisioned as the establishment of a dedicated GE hangar facility on the north ramp site of the vacant Navy hangars on the US property that MassPort has been in the process of acquiring for several years for the purpose of establishing a hangar facility. She also acknowledged that helicopters would likely be used to shuttle GE personnel between Boston and the Hanscom hangar. Mr. Pato reported that the new MassPort Community Advisory Committee had met successfully with a quorum and elected a chair. There was also discussion about the recently implemented FAA regulations regarding drones, including a required registration for non-commercial users. Mr. Braun noted that the HATS communities' police departments had issued a joint public statement regarding their role in assisting with FAA enforcement. Ms. Nelson said that the National Park has established its own regulations for drone take offs and landings in the Park areas. Regional transportation and related concerns Mr Braun reported that the Rt. 2 Crosby's Corner project is dormant due to winter weather. Regular DOT meetings will resume in March. The final roads configuration is in place and being uploaded onto GPS sites. Final landscaping and fences are expected to be installed in the spring Mr. Pato confirmed that the Rt. 2/128 bridge project is proceeding well. Mr. Pato sends periodic notifications if there will be lane restrictions. Mr Rosenberg reported that Rep Gordon and Sen Donnelly convened a community meeting recently regarding long- and short-term solutions for congestion related to the Rt. 3/128 interchange. Long-term solutions with unknown but significant costs include flyovers, ramps, and reconfigurations to separate the Rt 3 and Middlesex Turnpike exchanges. Short-term and less costly solutions involve rechanneling via dedicated exit and entrance lanes and widening of existing ramps. Mr. Pato mentioned that certain Lexington residents have expressed concern about possible flyovers and lack of notice of the meeting It was the HATS Board's consensus that the legislators' efforts to address these issues are welcome and that they should also seek to enhance their coordination with each other and all affected communities to maximize local input. Mr Braun reported that the MBTA has announced a new schedule that appears to address some of the concerns raised with the prior proposed schedule. Mr. Ng noted that local discussions are also focusing on proposed fare increases. Mr Braun noted that MBTA Advisory Board Executive Director Paul Regan's return to a HATS meeting in April will be a timely forum to further discuss these issues. Planning for Lt. Gov. Polito Meeting Mr Braun reported Lt Gov Polito will be at the next HATS meeting and will likely talk about the Municipal Modernization Act, among other matters of common interest. The HATS Board agreed to consult with their colleagues and staffs to develop potential topics of common interest to bring to her attention. The HATS Board also discussed how to publicize the meeting and attract more attendees/legislators/town members/business leaders to attend. Mr. Rosenberg praised the Baker/Polito Administration's responsiveness to local needs, citing as an example the attention it paid to relocating homeless families who had been housed in a Bedford motel with no services Planning for transition of HATS Chair Mr Braun suggested that election of the new Chair occur at the February 25 meeting, so it would be effective immediately after that meeting and well in advance of the April 28 meeting. Mr. Braun noted that this would provide time for him to confer with the next Chair about transition matters. It was noted that the contemplated rotation of the Chair would be to the Concord Select Board member, Mr Ng, and that the meetings would be held in the Concord Town House. Mr. Ng noted that the Concord Town House has improved broadcast and recording capacities. Future meetings and main agenda items Mr. Braun noted that the following continue to be the contemplated next meetings and main topics: Feb 25 - Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito March no meeting April 28 - MBTA Advisory Board Exec. Dir. Paul Regan May 26 - MassPort CEO Thomas Glynn Minutes - December 3, 2015 Meeting Mr. Braun noted that he had circulated minutes for review and made several revisions as requested. Mr. Rosenberg moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Ng seconded the motion. Motion approved: 4-0-0. Adjourn Mr. Ng moved to adjourn. Mr. Pato seconded the motion. Motion approved 4-0- 0. The meeting adjourned at 8:31 pm.