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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-23-HATS-min HANSCOM AREA TOWNS COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING Held at 7:30 PM on July 23, 2009 At Lincoln Town Offices PRESENT: Jeanne Krieger (Chair) Lexington Board of Selectmen Elise Woodward Concord Board of Selectmen Sara Mattes Lincoln Board of Selectmen Mike Rosenberg Bedford Board of Selectmen Lisa Mustapich Bedford Planning Board Robert Domnitz Lincoln Planning Board Margaret Coppe Lexington HATS rep Dorothy Steele Massport/ OGCA Sara Arnold Massport J.C. Corcoran Hanscom Air Force Base Buzz Constable MAPC Lou Sideris Minuteman National Historical Park Donald J. Quenneville Defense Technology Initiative Steve Wert Electronic Systems Center 7:30 PM INTRODUCTION The Chair introduced the meeting and welcomed participants. 7:35 PM ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BOARD The Chair introduced Donald Quenneville, Executive Director of the Defense Technology Initiative, who is a retired brigadier general of the US Air Force, and Steve Wert, Director of Engineering at the Electronic Systems Center who is a retired Air Force colonel. Mr. Wert is responsible for engineering guidance in support of C4ISR: command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. A copy of Mr. Wert’s biography was supplied. Mr. Quenneville explained the background to the proposed new board. The Massachusetts Defense Technology Initiative was established in 2003 as a non-profit organization by the Massachusetts High Technology Council. It helped to achieve a successful outcome to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) exercise in relation to the Air Force’s Hanscom Base and the Army’s Natick Soldier Systems Center, preserving jobs and underscoring the importance of the region in defense technology. In 2008, DTI was expanded to cover all of New England. An outline of DTI’s mission was supplied. The new Science and Technology Board will be based at the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom, and Mr. Quenneville and Mr. Wert are inviting HATS to identify a representative to be a member of the board. The main purpose is to help to identify and channel technology that may be of use to the military. The role of the Board is defined broadly to include software and cyber technology. Board membership will include 1 representation from the state, universities, science and technology laboratories and business communities (including a representative from New Hampshire). A draft of the Articles of Collaboration was provided, covering membership, areas of focus and activities. The intention is that the Board will hold regular periodic meetings and may form working groups to develop ideas and report back. Mr. Quenneville reported that a Natick Science and Technology Board already exists; it was established two years ago and has matured, so it may provide a useful model. A copy of the minutes of one of its meetings was provided. Mr. Wert stated that he has been appointed by the Base Commander as liaison to the Science and Technology Board, and hopes to harmonize science and technology with the base’s mission. The Electronics Systems Center has been identified as a procurer in recognition of its expertise on technology, and it is proposed to expand staffing with hundreds of engineers, mostly based at Hanscom. People with local roots are a prime target for recruitment in view of the high cost of living compared to other areas. Educational/ recruitment programs to develop interest early will be considered, for example local development of the national STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and Connect EDU. Links have already been established with a few local universities and these could be expanded. Security clearance can be an obstacle to defense jobs for some graduates, and there may be ways to employ such people in related organizations. HATS Selectmen welcomed the good news on employment expansion. They suggested that local schools, in particular Minuteman Technical High School, may be interested in developing careers-based links. Elise Woodward asked if the main aim of the Board is to move research and development ideas into production. Mr. Wert said that it is expected to help to link research and development to applications; often the innovators are small companies, so networking opportunities can help the innovators and at the same time bring the best technologies to the Air Force. In terms of having a representative from local towns, Mr. Wert sees this as a way of sharing understanding of roles and exploring potential for collaboration. Sara Mattes noted that this type of dialog has produced constructive ideas in the past and said that she welcomed it strongly. Jeanne Krieger suggested that HATS may be able to help create links to the local communities and to increase community awareness of the importance of defense activities to the economy. Ms. Mattes added that HATS may be able to assist with resolving land use/ transportation issues such as congestion around Hanscom. A MOTION was proposed by Ms. Mattes and seconded by Ms. Woodward, to accept the invitation to provide a representative on the Electronic Systems and Software Science and Technology Board. Passed 4-0 The HATS Selectmen discussed the choice of representative. Sara Mattes expressed interest in attending for the first year and Elise Woodward in supplementing or continuing, depending on schedules. 2 8:15 PM TRANSPORTATION UPDATE: Recent TIP meetings Mike Rosenberg gave an update on the progress of this year’s TIP discussions. The Boston MPO gave its preliminary approval to the latest version of the 2010-2013 TIP on th July 16. The Route 2 Crosby’s Corner project remained in the program. A public input period during the summer will precede the final vote. There is currently uncertainty about federal funding. The Bedford representative voted against the TIP due to the large share of funding taken by the Crosby’s Corner project. An alternative proposal was not favorably voted. It should be noted that Bedford is one of three towns currently designated as members of the MPO but does not represent a geographic area. In the meantime, Mass Highway has been going ahead with the “full takings” of approximately ten residential properties that are needed for the Crosby’s Corner project. The detailed sequencing plan for the work has not been finalized which complicates the scheduling of funding. The HATS Selectmen agreed that there are difficult issues concerning the handling of large transportation projects. Elise Woodward noted that they have usually had to queue up over long periods and costs inevitably rise. Sara Mattes expressed concern that at the TIP meeting, the Crosby’s Corner project seemed to be characterized as a Lincoln project whereas its benefits are regional. It was agreed that there needs to be more clarity as to whether and how the regional dimension will be addressed in future. Mike Rosenberg wondered if there may be alternative funding approaches but Lou Sideris reported that it was stated at the TIP meeting that there are no other sources of funds. HATS members were disappointed by the failure of federal stimulus money to help with planned major projects. There was interest in a fuller discussion on the broad issues before the next MAGIC th ACTION: Chair meeting, which is likely to be on August 6. Proposed MBTA cuts The Chair drew attention to proposals for significant cuts and/ or fare increases that have been published for consultation (website reference http://mbta.com/about_the_mbta/?id=17721). She reported that several bus routes that serve Lexington are included in proposed cuts. Sara Arnold, who is on the advisory board, explained that cuts will be required if fare increases are not approved, or there may be a combination to balance the budget. A series of workshops is scheduled, followed by th a public hearing on August 27. Ms. Krieger noted that HATS previously favored a gas tax increase and support for expanded rather than reduced public transportation. The implications of potential cuts were discussed. Ms. Arnold pointed to the likely resulting increase in traffic congestion. Bedford is concerned that its subsidized local public transport may be vulnerable. J.C.Corcoran reported that the bus route to Hanscom is used by Lincoln Laboratories staff, some contractors at Massport/ Hanscom and students at Minuteman Tech. Some visitors to the National Park may use buses. It was agreed that the Chair will draft a letter outlining the likely impact of potential cuts on HATS communities and supporting retention, and preferably expansion, of ACTION: Chair services in the area. 3 Route 128 Central Corridor Coalition Sara Mattes reported that while the Coalition would like to see a multi modal transportation interchange developed, in the short term discussions are focusing on shuttle bus services with a view to seeing if there are opportunities for more collaboration to share or expand services. 8:45 PM LAND USE PARTNERSHIP ACT (LUPA) Buzz Constable, Lincoln’s MAPC representative and Chair of the MAPC Legislative Committee, reviewed the status of LUPA. It is on a parallel track with a professional planners’ effort at zoning reform, known as CPA II. Both were filed in May. The background to LUPA is that Greg Bialecki convened a task force of stakeholders which met many times but did not reach a consensus. LUPA was put forward by Mr. Bialecki for consultation around the state, and there are many positions on it. The legislative staff is believed to be working on a new hybrid bill which may emerge in the fall. It is still expected to be a large bill but to exclude changes to Chapter 40B or to the ‘Dover amendment’. Mr. Constable reported that MAPC’s Legislative Committee has had approximately six meetings to discuss LUPA and may take it to the Executive Committee. He supplied copies of a draft memorandum setting out the results of the most recent discussions. Lisa Mustapich reported that Bedford sent a letter on the subject of LUPA to Senator Fargo and Rep. Charles Murphy. Robert Domnitz of Lincoln reported that Lincoln sent a letter of comment which referred to concerns articulated by the Zoning Reform Working Group and other towns, and criticized the bundling of provisions. Mr. Domnitz said that in his opinion the latest draft position statement from MAPC was marginally less bad. He asked about the provision for variances. Mr. Constable explained that Massachusetts is very restrictive on zoning variances and there has been discussion of loosening the criteria where this would be in the public interest. Mr. Domnitz noted that many communities do not follow the current legal rules rigorously and suggested that loosening it might only worsen the situation. Mr. Constable offered the counter view that it would be better to make the law serve the public interest. Mr. Domnitz asked about the implications of the bill for developers. He commented that the statement “Site plan review should be codified” sounded innocuous but may be constraining on boards. Mr. Constable claimed that all parties like this provision: developers for greater predictability with a degree of “by right” development, and boards for clearer legal status. It was agreed that Mr. Domnitz and Mr. Constable will help to keep HATS informed of any further progress on the legislation. HATS may invite Susan Bernstein who was involved in drafting CPA II to discuss the subject, and will put it on the September agenda. Concord will consider whether to write a letter of comment. ACTION: Chair; Concord; Lincoln 9:05 PM HFAC REPORT No HFAC meeting was held this month. 9:15 PM MINUTES 4 th The Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the minutes of June 25 as amended. 9:20 PM NEW BUSINESS: Route 3 Corridor Mike Rosenberg reported that the widening of Route 3, together with proposals such as the Nordblom development in Burlington, prompted discussions between Bedford, Burlington and Billerica. These towns met with Greg Bialecki who widened the group to include Chelmsford and Lowell. A state infrastructure study has been initiated, and the group is hoping to develop a “brand” to promote the corridor between Routes 128 and 495 for economic development. The Chair cautioned that mobility should be kept in mind, with attention to congestion mitigation as well as economic development. Mr. Rosenberg stated that the Lowell regional transit authority covers the area. New housing along Middlesex Turnpike may be one of the attractions, although travel-to-work patterns are not known. Air Force structure J.C. Corcoran mentioned that General Bowles has announced upcoming organizational changes at the Hanscom Air Force Base. The base does not meet the numbers for a Wing and so its naming may change, possibly to a Group. No personnel changes are anticipated. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 PM. Submitted by Catherine Perry 5