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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-28-HATS-min Hanscom Are Towns Committee Meeting Minutes February 28, 2019 Attending. HATS Selectmen. Suzie Barry, Lexington chair, Jonathan Dwyer, Lincoln, Mike Rosenberg, Bed- ford Other HATS members. Margaret Coppe, Lexington, Mark Siegenthaler, Bedford. Others in attendance: Bedford Police Chief Robert Borngiorno, William Brooks, chief ranger, Minute Man Na- tional Historical Park, Lincoln Fire Chief Steve Carter, Lexington Police Chief Mark Corr, Concord Fire Chief Thomas Judge, Lincoln Police Chief Kevin Kennedy, Hanscom Air Force Base Fire Chief Mark Klemcke, Bed- ford Fire Chief David Grunes, Concord Police Chief Joseph O'Connor, Lexington Acting Fire Chief Derek Sencabaugh, Major Brett Skales, security commander, Hanscom Air Force Base, Anthony Sudmck, ranger, Minute Man National Park. Chief Sencabaugh said the towns have a good working relationship with their colleagues at Massport and Hans- com Air Force Base.Besides mutual aid, the local departments benefit from the training tower at Hanscom Field a few times a year Chief Judge added that over the past five years, the departments have probably done more training with Massport and the Air Force than in the past 25 He noted that the towns have little jurisdiction in- side the airfield fence. Chief Carter said a lot has changed since June of 2014, all for the better. Training togeth- er, now routine, has made a huge difference. He noted that annual tabletop and triennial full-scale exercise. The chief noted that his department has jurisdiction at the base schools and residental streets. Chief Gunes said Bedford has some special responsibilities on the base, including underground fuel storage at the filling station The department works closely with base fire prevention and engineering He noted there is no mutual aid relationship with Massport. Selectman Rosenberg asked about firefighting responsibility for the for- mer Navy hangar plus planned new Massport-controlled hangars off Hartwell Road in Bedford. The chief said the Navy hangar always was Bedford's, and Massport doesn't have the equipment to fight a structure fire; it re- lies on the Air Firce and the municipal departments. Selectman Dwyer asked about medical emergency coverage Chief Grunes said Hanscom Fire covers the Air Force Family Camp. Otherwise, it depends on who receives the emergency call. Massport uses the Air Force ambulance provider. Selectman Dwyer also asked about response to an aircraft accident. Chief Grunes said it depends on the location. The departments train with Massport special equipment, although some small planes don't require that response. Ranger Brooks noted that the National Park Service has no jurisdiction outside the park boundaries, including the airfield, where there is a shared boundary. Chief Kennedy said his department has a lot of interaction with State Police assigned to Hanscom Field. Besides disaster drills, there is a lot of positive communication and involvement with the Air Force several times a week This includes assisting special investigations and security forces Over the years the relationship has im- proved, he said. Lincoln police serve arrest warrants, handle expired licenses, domestic calls and restraining or- ders in base residences. The chief noted that many civilians now reside in base housing. There is a Lincoln ju- venile officer in the middle school. Chief Bongiorno introduced Lt Jones, who serves as the Bedford department's liaison with the district attor- ney's office on jurisdictional issues The chief said the towns, the DA's office and the Air Force Judge Advo- cate General work well together under a memorandum of understanding He acknowledged that there are chal- lenges. He also noted tha there is an annual security meeting with Lincoln Laboratory. Lt. Jones agreed that the MOU allows all of the entities to respond with coordination. Chief O'Connor said his department doesn't have as much interaction as the other towns' departments do. He noted the cooperation with Eliot Mental Health, which includes mental health and substance abuse, as well as Communities for Restorative Justice,which are based in the town. Chief Corr noted the professionism of base security and the ease of communication. Major Skales said there are great relations between military security and local law enforcement He acknowledged that the Air Force is li- mited in its authonty off base He also noted the challenge posed by military personnel turnover The major said the base has working police dogs that can be loaned to local agencies. Chief Klemcke said he has been im- pressed by the surrounding towns' mutual aid response. Base firefighters are all civilians, he said. They are an initial response force for incidents outside the gates. After a question by Selectman Dwyer, fire chiefs discussed the merits of equipment manufacturers and the pri- mary importance of service, as there isn't a lot of difference among the trucks Collective purchasing also makes the process easier, Chief Judge said. He added that vehicles are too complex for departmental mechanics to handle maintenance. In answer to a question from Selectman Barry, Chief Kennedy said his fleet is composed of Fords, which last two to three years Chief Bongiorno noted that Ford is transitioning from the SUV model to a hybrid He noted that the SUV is more durable in the local climate, and is also comfortable Chief O'Connor said his department will be going to all hybnds, consistent with Green Community standards. Selectman Barry said the Lexington Sustainability Committee would like to see a totally electric fleet. Chief Corr said his fleet is Dodge; there is preferred passenger safety in a sedan. Ms Goodspeed described Massport firefighting coverage three firefighters per shift, and, as of April 1, they will not be receiving support for structural fires from the Air Force Massport will be bringing in another three firefighters to cover that need. The chiefs said they weren't aware of these changes. Ms. Goodspeed said the triennial disaster drill will be scheduled for the fall. Massport can't provide mutual aid to the towns,but there is a rapid response team on call from Logan International Airport. She noted that a new firefighting facility at the airfield is under construction. Municipal updates Selectman Rosenberg reported that the attorney general's office reversed the Bedford town meeting's conver- sion of the industrially-zoned former Navy hangar to residential. Now the high bid for the property has sur- passed$9 million. The March 9 town election features three candidates for two selectmen's seats. Town meet- ing begins on Mach 25 with 34 rticles on the warrant Selecman Barry said there are two contests in the town election: an unexpired one-year selectman's term and a three year planning board seat. Town meeting begins on March 25; there are 39 articles, including 10 citizens' petitions. Construction of the new fire headquarters has resumed. Selectman Dwyer reported that Lincoln town meeting will take place on March 23 and the town election on March 25. The ballot includes prohibition of ma- rijuana sales Selectman Dwyer said town meeting will be asked to approve the integration of the corporation that runs DeCordova Park into Trustees of Reservations. DeCordova land and structures are owned by the town. Hanscom Field Ms Goodspeed said the March 19 meeting of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission will include the annual State of Hanscom report The last meeting included a tour of the new Boston Medflight facility Upcoming HATS meetings The April 25 meeting will be in Lincoln. The featured discussion will be local efforts to promote and accom- modate bicycle and pedestrian traffic Selectman Rosenberg said Kati Winchell of Save Our Heritage suggested inviting Cecilia Doucette, an expert on 5G communications law and technology, to present to HATS Federal regulations present challenges to towns' ability to regulate 5G transmission. The expert can provide insight on how to address them. Selectman Dwyer said he will contact Ms. Doucette. Representatives of local planning, zoning and health boards will be invited when scheduled. Selectman Dwyer said other future meeting topics include presentations from local legislators, the superinten- dent of Minute Man National Historical Park, the head of Massport and the wing commander, Hanscom Air Force Base. Also to be considered are plans for Route 2A reconstruction design. The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m.