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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-26-HATS-min Hanscom Area Towns Committee DRAFT meeting notes January 26, 2017 HATS Selectmen attending: Peter Braun, Lincoln, acting chair; Joe Pato, Lexington. (Mike Rosenberg, Bedford, connected by telephone.) Others in attendance: John Beatty, executive director, Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, John Carli, airport planner, Massachusetts Port Authority, Jessica Casserly, public affairs, Hanscom Air Force Base, Tom Fredericks, deputy director, 66th Airbase Group, Hanscom Air Force Base, Adam Freudberg, senior advisor for innovation and collaboration, Hanscom Air Force Base; Elizabeth Hacala, reporter,Bedford Citizen; Amber Goodspeed, manager, airport administration, Hanscom Field. Mr Beatty noted that he is the task force's third executive director and has been in the position for six months He presented his personal background, beginning with U S Army service, including several years with the field artillery. He was also involved in reconstruction development in Iraq. In 2008 he became active-duty advisor and then inspector general to the Maine National Guard, where he worked with the Congressional delegation and state officials. Mr. Beatty said he retired from the Army in 2015, and now that his children are out of high school he is pleased to have the opportunity with the task force Mr. Beatty said the task force was established under 2014 legislation. He displayed an organizational chart showing structure, leadership and other groups involved, including Mass. Development. The task force is well-positioned for coming challenges, he said. He displayed and discussed the task force mission, defined under the enabling legislation. Key tasks are to protect and strengthen the state's six military installations, including responding to a federal base realignment and closing (BRAC)process, to serve as a collaborative agency, and to promote the accomplishments of the installations. The task force assists with efforts to reduce the installations' operating costs and provide direct support to efforts of the Congressional delegation. Mr Beatty added that the task force would like to enhance the current strengths of the installations and to see their military value grow One reason is patriotic, he said, another is economic impact He reminded that the efforts are not only focused on Hanscom and mentioned initiatives at Barnes Air National Guard base in Wetsfield, Westover Air Reserve base in Chicopee and Joint Base Cape Cod. The total impact of the installations statewide surpasses $13 billion and 57,600 jobs. Mr Beatty summarized some of the task force projects connected to Hanscom, including improvements to infrastructure,partnerships with colleges and universities, and communication Consolidation of federal agencies will include a renovated facility for the Army Corps of Engineers. Plans to build a new power generation facility, which would reduce operating costs, are still being pursued, although the state's initial proposal was not adopted by the Air Force, he said Mr Beatty stressed that Hanscom's mission is acquisition, and the task force needs to make sure the population understands the mission He noted that all of the paperwork has been approved for the expansion of Vandenberg Gate, now the need is to secure funding. The director said the task force also works to make the business community's partnerships with Defense installations successful Mr Braun mentioned the Defense Department's investment in two new schools and privatization of housing at Hanscom. Mr. Beatty predicted that the next BRAC will be initiated in federal fiscal 2019 and culminate in 2021. More concrete information is expected over the next several weeks. He noted that several task force - 2- members and others in state leadership are veterans of the process, and he feels that the task forcer and the commonwealth are in a strong position. Proactive efforts that been done since 2012 in Massachusetts are unmatched in any state, and the task force serves as a national model, Mr Beatty said, He emphasized that Hanscom is in a great position for the future, with room to grow the mission with new programs, reinvestment in infrastructure, new tenants and plenty of support. Other bases in the state have some vulnerabilities, he said. At Hanscom vulnerabilities were identified and corrected, he added. Mr. Braun noted the value of the state-generated bond for military installation improvements. He praised the role of the task force and said the Hanscom communities are well served Mr. Rosenberg said he is concerned by the unpredictability of the new administration in Washington. Mr. Beatty agreed, and noted that Mass. Development has been working since last year with a consulting group that has great connectivity with federal agencies. There are also strong connections with military leaders and the Department of Homeland Security. Asked by Mr Braun what the towns can do in support of the task force, Mr Beatty said currently there are no "needs-improvements." The towns and the base should continue to explore shared services to improve efficiency. Mr. Braun said the communities are concerned about their connection to the response to BRAC. Mr. Beatty said BRAC also has the potential for benefits, including a gain in mission. Mr Freudberg said his role with Hanscom is coordinating with communities, state government, industry, higher education, and other partners in Massachusetts and beyond. He detailed educational partnership efforts in southern New England and agreements with industry and with Department of Defense entities, including the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental operation in Cambridge. Ms. Goodspeed reported on the recent meeting of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission. She said Boston Medflight is renovating a hangar on Hanscom Drive; the company was looking for more space with public access. The commission also heard about Massport plans for a request for proposals to build hangars on the airport's north side. All three FBOs have waiting lists for hangar space, she said Mr Braun said the Route 2 improvements are complete and some kind of celebration may be announced. Mr. Pato said the state Transportation Department is considering installing solar panels on the sound barrier along Route 128 in Lexington near the Route 3 interchange, This would be the first such installation in North America Mr. Braun said the next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 23, and will include presentations by representatives of Lincoln Laboratories and MITRE Corp.