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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-12-HATS-min Hanscom Area Towns Committee Meeting Minutes July 12, 2018 HATS Selectmen: Suzie Barry, chair, Lexington, Jonathan Dwyer, William Moonan, Bedford Other HATS attendees: Margaret Coppe, Lexington Others in attendance. Chris Boles, Jennifer Boles,Patrice Todisco, executive director, Freedom's Way National Heritage Area; Julie Turner,Bedford Citizen. Ms Todisco said Freedom's Way is one of 49 national heritage areas, in partnership with the National Park Service She said the areas are empowered to tell America's story She noted she is also executive director of the association that oversees the heritage areas. "Our mission is to conserve,protect and promote the natural, historical and cultural resources of the communities; to create a sense of place; and towork together on thematic programs and projects that tell the stories of the treasures within these communities," she said. The heritage area covers 45 cities and towns between Malden and Winchendon, from Sudbury to Amherst,NH. The geographic area includes urban, suburban and rural communities, as well as Minute Man National Historical Park. The heritage area is 25 percent open space.. The latest management plan is on the Freedom's Way website, featuring interpretive themes that serve as a framework for the heritage area story. Ms Todisco noted that the heritage area includes Mount Wachusett, "quintessential"New England community landscapes, and the sites of innovative political, social and educational movements. Among the residents were people who were at the forefront of new ways of thinking in the arts, sciences and education, she said. The director outlined some Freedom's Way programs For four years, localities have joined the heritage area for Hidden Treasures,predating unified thematic content These help people discover the heritage area, she said. A photo contest is part of Hidden Treasures. Ms. Todisco explained that another program arranges re-enactmentsof actual local debates in 1776 about the Declaration of Independence. Freedom's Way is working with local historians. Also, Freedom's Way wants to schedule a recreational walk from Concord to Mount Wachusett, based on an essay by Thoreau Freedom's Way helps connect places with each other, Ms. Todisco said, through interactive mapping and bi-monthly emails featuring profiles, activities and stories. There is outreach to local historical societies to learn about highlights that might have been missed. In answer to a question from Selectman Dwyer, Ms Todisco said Freedom's Way is working to involve younger residents, including projects with Fitchburg State University. She acknowledged the challenge. The director said there are efforts to develop a curriculum for high school drama programs connected to the Declaration of Independence project. There are also family-friendly partnerships with institutions like Drumlin Farm in Lincoln and the Discovery Museum in Acton. Heritage areas need to match funding from the National Park Service with cash, volunteer time or in-kind donations, Ms. Todisco said. Freedom's Way also submits grant applications and has corporate sponsors. Freedom's Way also offers small grants for local projects, she said. In answer to a question from Selectman Barry, Ms Todisco said the original geographic core was the Harvard-Shirley area, with current headquarters in nearby Devens Other communities have opted into the district, which was established by Congress. There are four otherheritageareas in Massachusetts. Mrs. Coppe, who serves as treasurer of Freedom's Way, said all 45 cities and towns had to vote to affiliate Now the leadership hopes all of the members will become part of the association She asked for ideas about publicizing There needs to be more exposure about"who we are and what we do," she said. Suggestions from HATS selectmen included local historical societies, on- line news outlets and local libraries. Hanscom Air Force Base; L.G. Hanscom Field Selectman Barry relayed a report from Jessica Casserly of the Hanscom Air Force Base public information office. She noted several upcoming events: Heroes Homecoming for the recently deployed on July 19, activities honoring retiring Group Commander Col. Roman Hund on Aug. 1, and the 66th Air Group change of command on Aug. 2. Transportation Updates Selectman Barry noted the water line replacement along Hartwell Avenue in Lexington. Selectman Dwyer said work is proceeding on Route 117 in Lincoln under the Complete Streets program; and Selectman Moonan said the third phase of Middlesex Turnpike improvements is under way. The project will take five years. He also noted that the town received a Complete Streets state grant of close to $400,000 Municipal Highlights Selectman Moonan outlined the background of the former Navy hangar off Hartwell Road, contiguous to Hanscom Field. After the Navy declared it surplus, the Massachusetts Port Authority began negotiating for acquisition Massport a few months ago withdrew because of historical covenants attached to the property The General Services Administration scheduled an auction for private bidders,but postponed it after the town threatened an injunction. A special town meeting on July 30 will be asked to rezone the site from industrial to residential and authorize acquisition, meant to further deter undesirable development, he said. There is no hazardous waste on the site Selectman Moonan also noted that the surplus Navy buildings on the north side of Hartwell Road will be demolished Selectman Moonan also reported that a conditional offer has been prepared for a successor to Town Manager Richard Reed, whose last day in the office is Aug. 17. He is retiring after a 30- year Bedford career. Selectman Dwyer reported on a six-hour Lincoln special town meeting that focused on five proposed school building designs The current complex includes buildings of varying ages The preferred choice will be proposed at a December special town meeting As many as 700 voters were at the special meeting, of mixed ages, so it is hoped that the outcome is a mandate from a representative sample, Selectman Dwyer said. Selectman Barry said Lexington's new superintendent of schools began working on July 1 The search for a town manager is under way, Carl Valente is scheduled to retire on Aug 3 The selectmen are also considering a proposal for a cremation facility at Westview Cemetery. A possible model is a facility operated in Duxbury, which is profitable. Upcoming Meetings Upcoming HATS meetings and featured guests September, Scott Anderson, assistant director for operations, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, October, Paul Regan, chair of the MBTA Advisory Board; November, Co. Chad Ellsworth, commander, 66th Air Base Group; January, John Beatty February, a round table of HATS police and fire chiefs or their representatives focusing on interaction with Hanscom counterparts; April, HATS reorganization(Lincoln's turn in the chair schedule) Selectman Moonan moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Selectman Dwyer and approved 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.