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Home My WebLink About2019-04-25-HATS-min Hanscom Are Towns Committee Meeting Minutes April 25, 2019 Attending. HATS Selectmen. Suzie Barry, Lexington, Jonathan Dwyer, Lincoln, Linda Escobedo, Concord, Mike Rosenberg, Bedford Other HATS members. Margaret Coppe, Lexington, Mark Siegenthaler, Bedford, Kati Winchell, Save Our He- titage. Others in attendance: Bob Avallone, Leington town meeting member; David Becker, Lexington; Katarina Bergh, Lincoln; Ray Considine, Concord Board of Health; Richard Delaney, Milton; B.J. Dunn, superintendent, Minute Man National Historical Park, Steve Gladstone, Lincoln Planning Board, Amber Goodspeed, airport operations manager, Hanscom Field, Sheldon Hines, Concord, Susan Frommer, Concord, Pat Maloney, Brook- line health officer, Melissa McBride, Concord, Jean Palmer, Dennis Rothman, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, An- namaria San Antonio, Lincoln; Bill Underhill, Concord Municipal Light; Dr. Will Winchell, Lincoln; Selectman Barry nominated Selectman Dwyer to serve as HATS chair. Selectman Rosenberg seconded the nomination, which was approved, 4-0 Ms. Doucette said she first discovered the connection between wireless technology and health concerns casual- ly. She said peer-reviewed scientific literature worldwide shows serious biological effects. A cellphone is the source of exposure from at least five antennas. The issue is the definition of safe technology. She said the Ash- land schools have been advised to turn off all devices when not in use, since access points are constantly send- ing radiation A 30-year national toxicology study shows clear evidence of health effects from microwave radiation, Ms. Doucette said. Areas of concern include neurological effects, the endocrine system, oxidative stress, breaks in DNA, elevated levels of cellular death, reduced fertility, and excessive calcium. Also, she added, microwaves are seen to effect sleep patterns and cells that cause cancer. In 2011, she continued, the World Health Organiza- tion indicated that microwave radiation was possibly a human carcinogen Now it is more definitive, she said The speaker said that, because of industry's influence, the Federal Communications Commission only considers heat when setting public exposure guidelines. She said the telecommunications industry suppressed evidence of harm. Since insurance ompanies have exclusions in their policies, liability can default to local schools or munic- ipal government, she said. Ms Doucette said 5G(fifth generation) represents shorter waves on the electromagnetic radiation spectrum Since they don't carry far, the industry's plan is to install antennas close to each other—a cell antenna every two to 12 houses, in addition to existing 3G and 4G infrastructure. There has never been a safe level of microwave radiation identified, she said. Ms. Doucette said 5G transmitters could be housed on streetlights or utility poles or wires, or beneath manhole covers. Each is accompanied by a refrigerator-sized box with power equipment. These placements can be controlled by municipal bylaws The radiation also has an impact on the ecology, Ms Doucette said, disregulatmg the navigation systems of birds and insects. Colonies are disappearing. The speaker mentioned a research repository as well as some legal precedents and preventive law, much of it in other countries. There are international appeals to halt 5G in space as well as on earth, she said. Ms. Doucette offered anecdotal evidence on the impact of cell tower transmissions near schools She cited reseach contending that some 40 diseases have skyrockted over the past 25 years At the federal level, there are efforts to take away cities' and towns' home rule on this issue, she said, adding that the industry is writing model bylaws. However, she noted examples of pushback from several states. Ms. Doucette said she is helping plan the first electromagnetic field conference for health care professionals, sche- duled for September in California She said there are 19 bills in the Massachusetts Legislature regulating 5G communications, whuch leads the nation Individually, she said,people should determine their exposure and decide how to reduce it. Mr. Hines reported that the Federal Communications Commission already can override local government re- garding placement of 5G equipment, and the comment period is limited to 90 days Ms Doucette reviewed sev- eral federal legislative proposals and noted how difficult it has been to expedite action on them Selectman Dwyer noted that many media outlets are not beholden to advertising, and they shouldn't be deterred from reporting the negative news, along with non-governmental organizations, universities and environmental groups. Ms. Doucette replied that advocates should engage all of these prospects. She noted that last fall Bur- lington appointed a small-cell committee, which successfully recommended a town policy requiring annual re- newal, with a fee, of 5G transmission equipment This resulted in Verizon's decision not to locate in Burlington, she said.The speaker presented to selectmen a publication about the future of landlines and networks, from the National Institute of Science, Law and Public Policy. The institute advocates hard-wring to the premises and hard-wired devices. Mr Becker said he learned that Boston will be outfitted for 5G by year's end In answer to a question from Mr Considine about states' health studies, Ms Doucette said Maryland recommends hard-wiring for schools In answer to a comment from Ms. Sanantomo, the speaker said individuals can reduce exposure by turning off rou- ters or even Fitbits. Muncipal highlights Selectman Rosenberg described an upcoming reclamation of Fawn Lake, Bedford's largest body of water, which has been comproimised by sedimentation over the years. Selectman Barry reported that Lexington Town Meeting approved the center streetscape project, expected to start in about a year. Meanwhile, Eversource will be replacing transformers and cables in the town center in response to recent outages. Also, the Lexington Visi- tors Center will be relocated while a new center is built on the same site. Selectman Escobedo said Concord Town Meeting approved four affordable housising articles, with home rule approval needed for surcharges in real estate transfer and building permit fees Hanscom Field Ms. Goodspeed reported that Chris Eliot of Lincoln has been elected chair of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission The new firefighting and rescue facility is on target for completion in June The 2018 Environ- mental Status and Planning Report is expected to be sent to the Massachusetts Envornmental Protection Agency in May, when a 45-day public comment period will begin. There will be two public technical workshops. In answer to a question, Ms. Goodspeed said new Massport firefighters are being trained. Ms. Coppe mentioned comments by State Rep. Sheila Harrington at the most recent commission meeting about aircraft apparently from Hanscom-based flight schools harassing residences in Ayer and Groton Transportation Selectman Rosenberg noted the upcoming resurfacing in Lexington and Bedford of Routes 4/225 by the state Department of Transportation Selectman Dwyer said upcoming meeting topics include a round table on micro-mobile transportation on May 23 and new state legislators on June 27. The committee approved the following minutes with correction by votes of 3-0-1: Nov. 29, 2018; Jan. 24, 2019; and Feb 28, 2019 The committee voted to adjourn the meeting at 919 p m , 4-0