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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-25-HATS-minHANSCOM AREA TOWNS COMMITTEE (HATS) APRIL 25, 2024 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 on April 25, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Present: Select Board Members: Mark Sandeen, Lexington Select Board and HATS Chair; Linda Escobedo, Concord Select Board; Emily Mitchell, Bedford Select Board; Jim Hutchinson, Lincoln Select Board Other HATS Members: Margaret Coppe, Lexington at -large; Alex Chatfield, Lincoln Representative to Massport Community Advisory Committee (MCAC); Charles Hornig, Lexington Planning Board Member; Steven Kanner, Lincoln Board of Health; Dr. Wendy Heiger- Bernays, Lexington Board of Health, Joanne Belanger, Lexington Health Director; Ephraim Flint, Lincoln Planning Board; Steven Hagan, Bedford Planning Board; Melanie Dineen, Concord Public Health Director Guests: Neelakshi Hudda, PhD & John Durant, PhD, from Tufts University; Sean Mueller from Boston University, Neil Rasmussen, President, Save Our National Heritage; Christopher Eliot, HFAC Chair; Mark Giddings, Concord HFAC Representative; Jessica Casserly, HAFB Public Affairs; Amber Goodspeed, Massport Government and Community Relations; Audrey Horst, Office of Senator Barrett; Simone Monteleone, Superintendent Minuteman National Park; and 29 other guests including representatives from Mass Climate Action Network; Quiet Communities; and Concord Climate Action Network; Lakshmi Rao; Wig; Madeline#1; Bob McClatchey; Rob Hamilton; Maureen Richichi and Susan Schwartz, Bedford Board of Health; Kaite; Mike Silver; Corinne Doud; Maura's iPhone; Trisha O'Hagan; Cindy Baxter, Executive Assistant to MCAC; Randy Kring; Lauren Meier; Sue Swanson; Janet Miller; Will; Jeanne Canale; Gail O'Keefe; Heather Patterson; Dick & Carolyn Frost; Rae Andre; Aaron Toffler; Renu Bostwick; Jennifer Boles; Kate; Amy McCoy; Kati Winchell, Save Our Heritage; Anne Sobol, The Lincoln Squirrel; Chris Boles; Molly Haskell; Susan Frommer; jbh; Steven Kanner, Phil Thayer, MCAN AGENDA Welcome and Introductions: Mark Sandeen, HATS Chair welcomed the many meeting attendees and briefly outlined the meeting agenda. On behalf of HATS, he also thanked Linda Escobedo for her service on HATS as she concludes her elected six years on the Concord Select Board, which will also conclude her HATS membership, paving the way for the next Concord Select Board representative. HATS Meeting Minutes of February 8, 2024 — Mr. Sandeen moved and Mr. Hutchinson seconded to approve the February 8, 2024 HATS Meeting Minutes. Roll -call vote: Mr. Sandeen, aye; Mr. Hutchinson, aye; Ms. Mitchell, aye;, Ms. Escobedo, aye. The motion passed 4-0-0. Air Pollution Study Update: Dr. Neelakshi Hudda from Tufts University provided an update on the Particulate Matter (Air Pollution) Study she conducted with Dr. John Durant and Sean Mueller. The study was commissioned and funded by the HATS Towns of Bedford, Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington, with additional funding from MCAC, related to the proposed North Airfield private jet hangar expansion at Hanscom field. The study is designed to: 1) collect data on the air quality impacts of the Hanscom aircraft operations on the surrounding towns; 2) respond to the Hanscom North Airfield Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) with sound scientific data; and, 3) raise accurate data -driven awareness of potential impacts. The study plan and data interpretation elements were presented, with a focus on ultrafine particulate matter because it has been linked to many health impacts including cardiovascular disease. The study methodology includes measurement of ultrafine particles from Hanscom Field over time. Ultimately, the study is interested in connecting this data to relevant meteorology indices and flight activity. Initial results show that the highest concentration of ultrafine particulate matter air pollution is highly correlated with the prevailing wind direction and aircraft activity. HATS Follow-up Requested: An executive summary and appendices for the final report were requested of the presenters. Discussion: Potential Health Impacts of North Airfield Expansion Project Comments and Questions following the presentation. • Dr. Jamie Banks, Lincoln resident and founder and president of Quiet Communities, mentioned Quiet Communities' concern about Hanscom jet hanger expansion on health. • Jennifer Boles, Bedford resident, asked if there are any simple mitigations that can be used in our homes. Dr. Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Lexington Board of Health Chair, recommended: 1) to stick to scientific data in report; 2) at a Superfund site, the State regulates petroleum but it is not at the federal level; 3) DEIR is silent on these regulations; and, 4) chlorinated solvents can travel underground and then penetrate through cracks in basements. This and PFAS are potentially vapor issues. Independent Study Results re: Ferry Flights and Emissions — Neil Rasmussen, President, Save Our Heritage, provided a slide presentation addressing the Greenhouse Gas Effects of Hanscom Jet Hanger Project. Neil Rasmussen gave a presentation addressing the chemical and noise impacts of the proposed Hanscom North Airfield expansion of hangers for private jet owners. The slides refuted claims made by the developers (some of which are also refuted in the IEC April 4, 2024 independent report on the Save Our Heritage webpage). • Claim #1 by the developer —Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions will be decreased. Rebuttal: GHG emissions were only examined in the immediate vicinity of the airport. Federal regulations require consideration of total GHG emission data. • Claim #2 — The project won't generate any new flights. Rebuttal: Common sense and FAA guidance dictate that hangar capacity directly affects flight volume. • Claim #3 — This is a net zero project. Rebuttal: Future plans to install solar to offset GHG emissions are described as optional. Even if the solar installation is built, it would only offset 2,200+ tons/yr. of building emissions, not hundreds of thousands of tons of GHG emissions from aircraft. • Claim #4 — Electric aircraft or sustainable aviation fuels will eliminate GHG emissions in the future. Rebuttal: Batteries have 20X the weight of jet fuel per unit of energy, and the stated claim that electric aircraft will replace jet aircraft will not be achieved for many decades to come, if at all. • Claim #5 — Will reduce ferry flights due to a lack of hangar capacity by 3,500. New hangars would eliminate these flights. Rebuttal: This number is wrong. The developer did not attempt the detailed analysis done by EIC. Almost all new project hangar capacity would be for new aircraft and associated flight activity. Neil Rasmussen concluded by stating that none of the claims that the jet hanger expansion would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the DEIR were supported. Comments and Questions following the presentation: • An unidentified audience member commented that using a hangar avoids de- icing. • Steven Hagan, Bedford Planning Board, asked if anyone at Massport had seen this report and commented on the discrepancies. • Christopher Eliot, HFAC Chair, encouraged Massport or proponents to respond to this report. • Mark Sandeen commented that the proponents of the Hanscom North Airfield jet hangar expansion were invited to attend the HATS meeting this evening, but no response was received. He thanked Mr. Rasmussen for this presentation to HATS. Hanscom, Massport and DEIR Updates and Discussion HAFB: Jessica Casserly reported that the Air Force base has had some budget cuts related to its emergency medical ambulance service. HAFB is discussing the situation with HATS town managers and fire and police chiefs. As a result of those talks, the EMS contract will remain in place with 24/7 onsite BLS/ALS capability pending contract modifications/descope. The documentation to modify the contract is with the Defense Health Agency (DHA) for action. Once the details of the modification are received, HAFB will immediately provide an update to affected towns. Planning for construction of a new fire station and single -story passenger terminal at HAFB is underway, with funding expected in 2027, followed by a two-year expected construction phase. HAFB is current working on the second half of rotary improvements at Hanscom Drive. HAFB will hold a Civilian Hiring Event on May 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Massport/Hanscom: Amber Goodspeed reported that the second half of Runway 5-23 resurfacing is planned for this summer, and will also be discussed at the May 21 HFAC 7:00 p.m. meeting. An additional 20,000 gallon underground fuel tank is being installed by Atlantic Aviation. There will be an upcoming emergency training exercise for an active shooter situation. Review and Approve HATS DEIR Comment Letter —Mark Sandeen presented a draft DEIR comment letter for review and approval of the HATS committee members. It was pointed out that this was not the only letter being submitted by some of the towns and other agencies. Mr. Sandeen moved and Mr. Hutchinson seconded to send the HATS DEIR comment letter to Secretary Tepper and Alex Stresky. Roll -call vote: Mr. Sandeen, aye; Mr. Hutchinson, aye; Ms. Mitchell, aye;, Ms. Escobedo, aye. The motion passed 4-0-0. Ms. Mitchell moved and Mr. Hutchinson seconded to adjourn. Roll -call vote: Mr. Sandeen, aye; Mr. Hutchinson, aye; Ms. Mitchell, aye;, Ms. Escobedo, aye. The motion passed 4-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 PM. 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