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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-28-HATS-minHANSCOM AREA TOWNS COMMITTEE (HATS) January 28, 2025 at 7:00 pm Meeting Minutes Pursuant to a notice duly filed with the Town Clerks of HATS member towns, the HATS meeting convened virtually by Zoom video conference. Present: Select Board Members: Mark Sandeen, Lexington Select Board and HATS Chair; Emily Mitchell, Bedford Select Board; Jim Hutchinson, Lincoln Select Board, Terri Ackerman, Concord Select Board. Other HATS Members: Charles Hornig, Lexington Planning Board Member; Steven Hagan, Bedford Planning Board Member; Gary Taylor, Lincoln Planning Board Member; Ephraim Flint, Lincoln Planning Board Member. Guests: There were 65 attendees including, Richard Davey, Massport CEO; Senator Michael Barrett; Representative Simon Cataldo; Representative Michelle Ciccolo; Representative Ken Gordon; Jessica Casserly, HAFB Public Affairs; Amber Goodspeed, Massport Government and Community Relations; Michael Vatalaro, Massport; Simone Monteleone, Superintendent Minuteman National Park; Christopher Eliot, HFAC Chair; Margaret Coppe, HFAC Member, Barbara Katzenberg, HFAC Member, Alex Chatfield, Lincoln MCAC representative; Tom Gramaglia; Margaret Leeson; Corinne Doud;. Anne Sobol, Lincoln; Chair Mark Sandeen called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. He announced that Bedford Member Emily Mitchell will be ending her term on the Bedford Select Board and HATS. He thanked Emily for her service, adding that he appreciated all her thoughtful contributions to the committee. Massport Presentation - Mr. Sandeen then introduced Massport CEO Richard Davey and thanked him for attending the HATS meeting. Mr. Davey gave an overview of Massport: an economic development agency with 1,300 employees. 2024 was a record-breaking year for Massport at Logan and at Worcester airport. He explained that he has 6 focus areas for Massport: 1. Managing growth, particularly creative ways to get people to Logan 2. Customer service. "That's our business." 3. Financial stability, especially the challenging maritime operations. 4. Fighting climate change, with "good SAF" or "clean SAF" (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) 5. Be an employer of choice 6. Leadership and innovation Mr. Davey stated that he knows Massport is the subject of some controversy. He knows the agency is not perfect, but debate is healthy, and listening to constituents is important. Regarding the proposed Hanscom expansion, Mr. Davey stated that he takes the HATS comments to Secretary Tepper seriously, and that he has stated such to the developer. Mark Sandeen asked Mr. Davey to outline his vision for Massport for the next 5 years. Mr. Davey responded that Massport wants to be a great steward of the community. Massport is starting a 10 -year strategic planning process. One goal would be to be for Logan to become a Top 5 Customer Satisfaction airport. Mr. Davey stated he wants to work with HATS and other community agencies on the proposed Hanscom expansion, on maritime policy, and other issues. He wants to make sure to inform us about what they're doing, so people aren't surprised. And he wants to continue this productive dialogue, getting our feedback to see if they can make things less impactful. He stated that he believes the recent legislative change to the Massport Charter embodies what he thinks Massport is trying to do anyway. He would like to find practical, scalable solutions, specifically he would like to accelerate the adoption of "good SAF". Mr. Davey emphasized the importance of "good SAF" (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), instead of "bad SAF;" which actually uses more agricultural resources or emits more carbon than regular fuel. Many participants were skeptical that "good SAF" can be developed in a practical way; currently only "bad SAF" is available. However, Mr. Davey admitted that Massport is primarily "an economic development agency" and he argued that there is no way to stop people from flying. Emily Mitchell inquired about Massport's relationship to the FAA. For example, Massport officials sometimes say "We hear you but we are subject to FAA, so we can't do anything." Rich Davey replied that Massport can do a better job communicating. Let's not start with the negative, let's do what we can. We can have both a thriving airport and a safe community. We can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. In response to another question, Rich Davey stated that Hanscom is incredibly unique: a former military base, with some R&D. We are not pursuing commercial flights there, yet it is an attractive place for businesses to utilize. We need to be thoughtful about the community and the natural resources, including Walden Pond and the Minuteman National Park. He added that he has not yet had a chance yet to visit Hanscom since he became CEO. Emily Mitchell stated that the proposed expansion will serve business jets that are not from Bedford. She inquired what benefits would these jets bring to Bedford? Rich Davey replied that he needs to study this in more detail. Jim Hutchinson asked whether SAF is really scalable. Rich Davey replied that he doesn't believe we can stop people from flying. 85% of aviation emissions come from commercial flights. He believes that SAF is the only way to reduce aircraft emissions. Not all SAF is "good SAF", for example if it arrives from Texas on a diesel truck. But we have to solve this problem. Massport is also looking at other alternatives to SAF, such as autonomous aviation. Rich Davey continued that we have to think globally. We have to continue to push the FAA. We have to look at all of Massachusetts. It can't be just Massport. He stated that he has had good conversations with the Dept of Energy. In response to a question from Terri Ackerman about competing objectives, Rich Davey stated that he spends a lot of time trying to figure out how to balance all our objectives, such as economic development, public health, and climate change. Massport has committed half a billion dollars in its capital plan to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions. We're not always going to get the right balance, but you have an invitation to hold us accountable. We're not going to be successful at Massport if the community is up in arms. Senator Barrett stated that while SAF might possibly be a long-term solution, Massachusetts has a near-term problem. He asked about the short term: Can we do a marketing plan to promote people flying commercial first class instead of private jets? Rich Davey replied that we can take steps like promoting tax incentives for SAF, and help promote SAF sales at local airports. We can't do just one thing. We need "All of the above." We can debate Hanscom expansion but the real issue is SAF. Senator Barrett then stated that things have changed since the election. If you expand Hanscom during the Trump administration, it will have large symbolic impact. He expressed concern that the Massport Board might think this is a good time to vote for the expansion. Rep. Simon Cataldo stated that our towns have sincerely set climate goals and are working diligently to achieve them. But private jet emissions from the proposed expansion could wipe out all these efforts. He also thanked Rich Davey for acknowledging the inadequacy of the expansion proponent's DEIR. He asked, at what point, would Massport just say no to this project? Does there come a time when Massport says, you have not been able to answer those questions, especially with the new Massport charter. Does Massport ever say no when the proponent clearly fails any rational test in terms of responding to the secretary's questions? Rich Davey responded that if the proponent does not "answer the secretary's question to our satisfaction, then, yeah, we're going to have some tough questions for them as well. This is not a hell-bent, you know, development. So we've got to be satisfied that the questions are answered, for sure. But the devil will be in the details! He added that he is very satisfied with the MEPA process. Rep. Ken Gordon stated that he believes people prefer private jets to first class, because commercial is not as convenient (delays, security). So why would we expand Hanscom and make it even more convenient for them? He also reminded that the developer has not answered questions on ferry flights and their formula does not make sense. Rich Davey responded that he will take that ferry flight comment to heart. Mark Sandeen reiterated that the emissions from the proposed expansion would completely wipe out all of the hard work and emissions reductions that all of the 4 Hanscom Area Towns have achieved over many years. Rich Davey agreed. Christopher Elliot stated that no public officials or leaders are endorsing the expansion. Nor are they calling for the reduction of Hanscom. Everyone wants status quo. He also opined that there is a massive propaganda machine promoting SAF, but on a practical level, it is highly unlikely to succeed. He stated that we have many technical experts in our community and asked that Massport please ensure that we will have a say in these important technical discussions. Rich concluded that he appreciates tonight's feedback. Mark Sandeen thanked Rich for attending the meeting and listening to our concerns. Massport and Hanscom Air Force Base Updates Amber Goodspeed, Massport Government and Community Relations, gave the operations report. December 2024 was down 3% from December 2023, the second -lowest historically since COVID. Salt storage has been relocated to a more remote location. Terminal and security upgrades are in progress. She expects the North Airfield expansion developer to take at a least a few more months to respond with a SDEIR. Jessica Casserly, Hanscom Air Force Base Public Affairs, reported on a restructuring of the community engagement team, and a collaborative meeting between MEMA and the area towns for the 250' celebration. Municipal Updates Emily Mitchell reported that Bedford is working on the FY26 budget in advance of their early town meeting. The Fire Station project is progressing well and will address stormwater needs. Jim Hutchinson reported on town meeting preparations, the Town Meeting Study Committee, the Community Center building project, and water main project. He is hoping the state will provide leadership in the upcoming months to face the upcoming federal cutbacks. Terri Ackerman agreed that a future HATS topic should be sharing ways to deal with the changing political climate and potential cutbacks. She reported on items including the Concord Town Meeting Study Committee, MCI reuse, EOLHC "interim compliance", fiscal challenges and coordination, and development of a stormwater utility. She announced that her Select Board term is finishing in June, so Concord will be selecting a new HATS member. Terri will remain the HFAC representative from Concord. Mark Sandeen reported that Ken Burns will be coming to both Lexington and Concord on April 17 to unveil his new documentary series. He reported on 2 TIP projects to improve intersections and an upcoming affordable housing development. Lexington has a new Town Manager. EOLHC has deemed Lexington "fully compliant" with the MBTA Communities law but a Special Town Meeting has been called by petition to scale back the MBTA zoning. A proposed net -zero all -electric new high school is being planned at an estimated cost of $645 million. The meeting minutes of September 5, 2024 were unanimously approved by roll call vote. Suggested future dates: April 24, June 12 Suggested future topics: MBTA Communities updates, Impacts from the Federal cutbacks and directives, SDEIR, Town Meeting Study The meeting adjourned at 8:43 PM.