Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-27-HATS-min Hanscom Are Towns Committee Meeting Minutes June 27, 2019 Attending. HATS Selectmen Jonathan Dwyer, Lincoln, chair, Linda Escobedo, Concord, Mike Rosenberg, Bed- ford Other HATS members: Margaret Coppe, Lexington; Kate McEneany, Concord Planning Board; Mark Siegen- thaler, Bedford Planning Board. Others. Jessica Casserly, Hanscom Air Force Base public information; State Rep Michelle Ciccolo D-15th Middlesex), Buzz Constable, Lincoln MAPC representative, Elizabeth Cowles, Lincoln, Mark Gallus, Con- cord,Anthony Gallagher, Massport community relations, Steve Gladstone, Lincoln Planning Board, Jennifer Glass, Lincoln Select Board; Amber Goodspeed, Hanscom Field director of aircraft operations; State Rep. Tami Gouveia(D-14th Middlesex); Jane Hulacher, Lincoln; Bedford Selectman Emily Mitchell; Sara Potter, Lincoln; Kati Winchell, Lincoln; Sue Wolff. Rep Ciccolo said she is serving on the House Public Health, Financial Services, Elder Affairs and Environ- ment,Natural Resources and Agriculture Committees. She acknowledged that it is "a daunting task to get up to speed." She is particularly interested in transportation and finance, as she was involved with transportation in- frastructure projects with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and as professional planner in Hudson. Rep. Ciccolo said new sources of revenue should be progressive, as opposed to a regressive gasoline tax. Rep Ciccolo discussed budget line items that directly affect Hanscom towns, including $25,000 to begin ad- vance design on improvements to the Routes 4 and 225 corridor and the intersection of Wood Street and Massa- chuetts Avenue in Lexington. The projects have languished because there wasn't consensus on design. Place- ment on the Transportation Impovement Plan has slipped, she said. She also mentioned a$25,000 proposed study for a shuttle between Hanscom Air Force Base and the Anderson transt center in Woburn. Rep. Ciccolo said she also submitted a bill with state Sen Cindy Friedman for transit improvement districts, allowing cities and towns to generate revenue to fund"last mile"transportation options Rep. Gouveia said her legislative priorities include access to health care, transportation, climate change and transparency in government. Bills she has filed range from net zero and the stretch energy code to childhood trauma and the opioid epidemic and repealing the sales tax exemption on airplanes and airplane parts. She serves on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Export Development, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committees Transportation cuts across a number of issues, she noted Constituent services are a big part of the job, Rep. Gouveia said, and she tries to hold office hours and be reachable. Rep. Gouveia said it takes her two hours to drive to the State House. She said traffic issues affect public health and community service, as well as the long-term health of businesses. Her subcommittee with Rep. Ciccolo and other members of the Progressive Caucus is trying to understand the barriers to transportation solutions and how to foster better communication on the issues. In response to a question from Seletman Rosenberg, Rep. Ciccolo said she supports the governor's housing choice bill. She noted her familiarity with zoning reform through her long involvement with the MAPC. A seg- mented approach to the bigger, interrelated crises of housing and transportation is preferable to a more global reform effort She added that she would like to see more housing opportunities for the state's lowest income res- idents. Rep Gouveia commented that there is support in her district for more inclusive housing. She noted the need for more housing near public transportation, although there is some resistance in suburban communities. The issue includes making sure people have living wage, she added. The desire to build diverse communities is deterred by the cost of housing. Rep. Gouveia commemted that the increased transfer tax on housing sales should be dedicated to building additional affordable housing; Concord approved this at the local level More Commpunity Preservation funds will augment the affordable housing inventory In response to a comment from Selectman Escobedo, Rep. Gouveia acknowledged the need for more workforce housing. The state education budget is a huge social equity issue, and has to meet the Chapter 70 obligation, Rep. Cicco- lo said Selectman Dwyer asked how the four Hanscom towns best pool their resources Rep Gouveia said local officials should be sure to interact with legislators and their staffs Rep Ciccolo said local boards can endorse approaches to issues and share them with representatives and the House speaker. We need to be creative to en- hance revenue, she continued, and every city and town will have to be more involved with transportation plan- ning. The regional problem should be considered local. Select Board member Glass said there should be a public transportation requirement for new major housing de- velopment Rep Ciccolo said the Rev shuttle, which serves Lexington businessses, is funded under local and state government plus property owners. She said she is working on legislation that would create a transportation district. Sara Mattes said Lincoln has the potential to increase its commuter rail parking. The current capacity is inadequate and the town doesn't have the resources to expand. Rep Gouveia noted the importance of communicating through the latest technology She said she distributes a weekly video report and uses Twitter to promote upcoming hearings Rep Gouveia added that she and fellow first-year legislators have had an impact. Mr. Constable observed that crises such as housing, transportation and climate change bring people together. HATS is an excellent context for intertown projects, especially involving the Port Authority. Municipal highlights Selectman Rosenberg outlined plans for construction of a pedestrian boardwalk in a swamp alongside Davis Road in Bedford,using Community Preservation funds. Selectman Board member Escobedo reported that Con- cord's new town manager, Stephen Crane, will begin work in August. The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is expe- riencing tremendous use. Design is underway for an addition to the library. Selectman Dwyer said town meet- ing in Lincoln prohibited marijuana sales and growth, and approved integration of the DeCordova Museum with the Trustees of Reservations Also approved was a bylaw restricting use of leaf bowers A new athletic field was approved for behind Birches School on Bedford Road. Ms. Casserly reported that the Air Force's Patriot Golf Course is scheduled to be open to the public beginning on July 15, culminating an 11-year process. The next Heroes Homecoming is planned for July 18. Ms. Goods- peed said Lisa Wieland has been named Massport executive director She added that the public comment period for the Hanscom Environmental Status and Planning Report ends on July 11 Mr Gallus said today there was a large amount of private jet activity at Hanscom. He said he would like to see more detailed information from Massport on private jet traffic, which could provide a basis for noise abatement strategies. Ms. Goodspeed rep- lied that Massport has invested a lot in transparency through the website. Ms. Cowles also had a question on allowable altitude by medfight helicopters. Transportation highights Selectman Rosenberg said progress continues on plans for the Minuteman Bikeway extension in Bedford, in- cluding an underpass beneath Route 62. Select Board member Escobedo said there is concern in West Concord over the impact of a major housing development planned for Maynard and Sudbury The meeting was adjourned at 9.18 p m.