HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-27-HATS-min Hanscom Area Towns Selectmen
Draft Minutes: July 27, 2017
HATS Selectmen attending: Suzanne Barry, Lexington; Steven Ng, Concord; Mike Rosenberg, chair,
Bedford
Other HATS members: Jacinda Barbehenn, Bedford; Peter Braun, Lincoln; Margaret Coppe, Lexington.
Others attending: Jessica Casserly, Hanscom Air Force Base public affairs; Anthony Gallagher,
Massachusetts Port Authority public affairs; Amber Goodspeed, Hanscom Field director of airport
administration,State Rep Kenneth Gordon; Sharon Williams, airport manager, Hanscom Field
Rep. Gordon, whose district consists of Bedford, Burlington and pat of Wilmington, detailed his efforts to
improve traffic flow at the interchange of Route 128 and Middlesex Turnpike/Route 3 in Burlington.
Selectman Barry said Lexington would favor additional sound barriers on the northbound side of Route
128. He also discussed the latest version of legislation in response to the referendum approving marijuana
legalization. The Senate version followed the language of the ballot question. The House decided some
parts needed adjustment The final version includes a 20 percent tax rate on sales, of which 3 percent
would be earmarked for cities and towns. Another 3 percent would be directed to municipalities where
sales take place.
Rep. Gordon also discussed a bill for medical and paid family leave. He said he wrote the bill to cover as
many people as possible It is harder to draft balanced legislation than using the language of a ballot
question, which is written by an advocate, he noted. Rep. Gordon said he was among the filers of several
bills to increase access to workforce training A couple passed and moved to the Senate
Mr Braun asked for thoughts on solving the state's basic revenue problem, particularly concerning the
impact of health care costs. Rep. Gordon said the Legislature is looking at a variety of revenue sources,
but currently there is nothing under consideration besides the so-called millionaires tax, which he said
will not result in wealthy residents relocating Indeed,businesses move here to take advantage of
Massachusetts people, he said. It is important to support education and infrastructure, he added.
Selectman Rosenberg asked whether the Legislature is concerned about the impact of federal policies on
state programs. Rep. Gordon said Gov. Charles Baker has mentioned the possibility of a$2 billion
impact on the state Medicaid budget The Legislature is committed to aid to cities and towns, he said, but
the impact of a significant reduction of federal revenue is unpredictable.
Selectman Barry noted the difficulties service industry workers have traveling home from Lexington.
Rep. Gordon noted efforts by groups like Middlesex 3 and the Route 128 Business Council pursuing
privately-funded shuttles Mr Braun suggested a reprise for the HATS forum on local and regional transit
alternatives. Rep. Gordon said ideally the state will be able to connect unemployed workers to areas
experiencing labor shortages. He acknowledged the changing directions of commuting to and from
suburban employment centers
Selectman Ng noted the challenge of affordable housing There is much that can be done on the local
level, Rep. Gordon said, and planning boards are working on options. In answer to Ms. Barbehenn's
question, Rep. Gordon said the towns should take the lead rather than state government. More
opportunities for seniors will help open up the homes where they now reside, he said The state can offer
financial incentives. It would be especially helpful to target them to housing for the elderly, Selectman Ng
said
Mr Braun asked if the Legislature will continue to support the state Military and Strategic Assets Task
Force. Mr. Gordon noted the bond bill benefiting military installations and said the Legislature is aware of
the economic impact of Hansom Air Force Base. He mentioned the state appropriation supporting
Hansom students attending Bedford High School as well as children of retirees who live on base housing
An important attraction for military personnel assigned to Hanscom is educational opportunity in Bedford
or the Lincoln schools, Rep Gordon said
Ms Goodspeed reported on plans to resurface runway 11-29 during August She noted that the Hanscom
Field Advisory Committee has been kept apprised. The project was first announced in April 2016. The
runway will be closed throughout August and there will be overnight closure during the first half of
September Ms Goodspeed outlined hauling access points through Bedford and part of Lexington She
said there have been discussions with the respective police departments. Truck traffic will average four in
and four out per hour, she said
Every project is approached by prioritizing safety concerns, Ms Goodspeed continued That's why
construction equipment will not be crossing active parts of the airfield. The Air Force base, a secure
facility,was never considered an option for construction access. Paving will take place a maximum of 16
hours a day, except during a 60-hour period on Aug 11-13, when both runways will be closed to allow
paving the junction. The contractor is following all state Transportation Department regulations in areas
such as covering loads and spill response.
Mr. Braun recommended a system of instant communication to keep citizens informed. Ms. Coppe
expressed concern about changes in flight patterns.
Ms. Goodspeed noted that repairs have been made to the Civil Air Terminal following recent flooding by
a heavy rainstorm. Mr. Gallagher reported that interviews are underway for executive director of the
Massport Community Advisory Commission
Ms Casserly noted that Hanscom Air Force Base will host a welcoming event for recent returnees from
deployment on July 27. She also said an environmental assessment has been completed on a planned
cogeneration plant. It is hoped that construction will start soon. The facility will be centralized on the base
and construction shouldn't impact the towns, she said Ms Casserly also reported that on Sept 13,
Hanscom will host a program on the installation's mission and how it supports the Air Force. The event
is by invitation only. A proposed weather radar tower will not be pursued, she said.
The Sept 28 HATS meeting will host John Beatty, executive director of the Massachusetts Military Asset
and Security Strategy Task Force, as well as possible the lieutenant governor. The November-December
meeting may feature representatives and senators whose districts include Lexington.
Minutes of the meeting of Feb 23 and June 22, 2017 were approved