HomeMy WebLinkAboutBattle Road Scenic Byway Committee MOU 2013MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
by and between
the Town of Arlington, the Town of Lexington,
the Town of Lincoln, the Town of Concord,
and the Minute Man National Historical Park
for the purpose of establishing a permanent management entity for
The Battle Road Scenic Byway: Road to Revolutions
WHEREAS, the Battle Road Scenic Byway: Road to Revolutions (the Byway) is a route
through the towns of Arlington, Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord (the Towns) following the
approximate path of British regulars on April 19, 1775 during the battles that marked the start of
the American Revolution, and passing many sites of cultural and historical importance; and
WHEREAS, the Byway was officially designated a Massachusetts State Scenic Byway in 2006
with the intention of recognizing, protecting, and enhancing its unique resources, and this
designation was expanded in 2012; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) worked closely with the Towns,
the Minute Man National Historical Park (the Park), and the Massachusetts Department of
Transportation (MassDOT), to produce the Battle Road Scenic Byway Corridor Management
Plan (the Corridor Management Plan), funded by the Federal Highway Administration's National
Scenic Byway Program with a matching grant from the Massachusetts Highway Department, for
the purpose of proposing strategies to manage transportation, land use, and tourism along the
Byway, and was completed with the approval of the Towns in May, 2011; and
WHEREAS, the Towns and the Park seek to establish a permanent management entity for the
Byway to carry out the Corridor Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, a task force with representation from the Towns and the Park was convened in the
spring of 2013, with assistance from MAPC funded by the District Local Technical Assistance
program, for the purpose of defining the structure and membership of such a management entity;
NOW THEREFORE, the Towns and the Park agree as follows:
L ESTABLISHMENT OF A BYWAY MANAGEMENT ENTITY
The Towns and the Park shall form a permanent committee to be known
as the Battle Road Scenic Byway Committee (the Byway Committee) with representation
from each of the Towns and the Park for the purpose of carrying out the activities of the
Corridor Management Plan and serving as the decision - making body for Byway- related
issues. The Byway Committee as defined in this Agreement is not an independent legal
entity.
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2. The Byway Committee shall have a Fiscal Agent, to be selected by the
Committee, which shall be responsible for receiving and disbursing funds, keeping
financial records, and providing basic administrative services, as required. The
Committee and Fiscal Agent shall specify the terms of services to be provided in a
memorandum of understanding.
The Byway Committee shall create a Stakeholders Advisory Group
comprising representatives from a broad range of interest groups involved in Byway -
related activities. Members of the Stakeholders Advisory Group shall provide input to
inform the Byway Committee's decisions, and shall support specific Byway - related tasks
as directed by the Byway Committee.
IL PURPOSE
Byway Committee
1. The Byway Committee shall have functions and responsibilities including
but not limited to:
a. Developing and publishing an annual work plan and priorities for
Byway management activities that advance the Corridor Management Plan
b. Leading the effort to secure Byway funding from grants or other
sources, including requesting funding from the Towns as necessary
Developing an annual budget
d. Convening regular meetings of the Stakeholders Advisory Group
and encouraging broad participation to provide a public forum for the discussion
of Byway management - related issues
e. Establishing and directing sub - committees tasked with carrying out
specific Byway management tasks
f Appointing members of the Stakeholders Advisory Group to sub-
committees of the Committee
g. Submitting an Annual Report to the four Town Boards of
Selectmen; Town Planning/Redevelopment Boards or similar boards, the
Superintendent of the Minute Man National Historical Park, the MassDOT Scenic
Byway Coordinator, and the Fiscal Agent
2. The Byway Committee shall have no independent authority to make
regulatory changes or appropriate municipal funding. The Byway Committee's decisions
and recommendations shall not supersede the existing authority of the Park, any other
state or federal agency, or any Town board or committee, including but not limited to
Boards of Selectmen, Planning/Redevelopment Boards, Historic District Commissions,
Tourism Committees, and Conservation Commissions, unless such authority is expressly
granted to the Byway Committee by the appropriate body.
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Stakeholders Advisory Group
The Stakeholders Advisory Group shall serve as the forum for the public
discussion of Byway - related issues. Its purpose is to ensure that the Byway Committee's
actions are informed by the full range of parties with a stake in the Byway's management.
Members of the Stakeholders Advisory Group shall have the opportunity to present their
interests to the Byway Committee at regular meetings. Members of the Stakeholders
Advisory Group may also be appointed to serve on ad -hoc working groups or sub-
committees focused on specific Byway tasks, as directed by the Byway Committee.
III. MEMBERSHIP
Byway Committee
1. Each Town shall appoint up to three representatives to the Byway
Committee. The appointment shall be made by the Town's Board of Selectmen, or its
designee. The Towns are advised to consider appointing a balance of voices representing
municipal interests including but not limited to planning, public works, tourism, and
elected officials. The Superintendent of the Minute Man National Historical Park shall
appoint one representative to the Byway Committee. The Byway Committee
representatives shall be appointed for two year renewable terms. Each Town and the Park
shall notify the Vice Chair of the Byway Committee of any changes to its representatives.
Stakeholders Advisory Group
2. Membership in the Stakeholders Advisory Group shall be open to all. The
Byway Committee shall solicit interested parties and shall develop a method to actively
notify members of upcoming meetings, inform them of Byway activities, and encourage
their participation.
IV. METHOD OF OPERATION
Byway Committee
1. The Byway Committee shall meet at least three times per calendar year.
Additional meetings may be called by the Chair or the Vice Chair, or by any two Byway
Committee members from separate entities. Meetings shall be open to the public. A
quorum of the Committee shall be present if at least four entities are represented at a duly
called meeting.
2. Votes of the Byway Committee shall be taken with one vote per Town and
one vote for the Minute Man National Historical Park. Each Town and the Park shall
determine its own method for determining its vote among its representatives. Four
affirmative votes are required to pass a motion.
3. The Byway Committee shall elect a Chair, a Vice Chair, and a Secretary
from among its members. None of these officers shall be representatives from the same
entity. Officers shall serve two -year terms. The Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary shall not
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serve in the same office for more than two consecutive terms. The Chair shall set meeting
agendas and chair the meetings. The Vice Chair shall chair meetings in the absence of the
Chair. The Vice Chair shall be responsible for keeping a current roster of Byway
Committee members, and shall confirm the Committee appointments of each Town and
the Park with their appointing bodies annually. The Secretary shall take meeting minutes
and record votes taken.
V. AMENDMENTS TO THIS AGREEMENT
1. This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended or canceled at any
time by mutual written agreement of all participating parties. Any participating Town or
the Park may withdraw from this Memorandum of Understanding upon 60 days written
notice to the Byway Committee, signed by the Town's Board of Selectmen or the Park's
Superintendent, as the case may be.
[Signature page follows]
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SIGNATURES
This Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed by the Chair of the Board of Selectmen of
each Town, upon a vote of the Board authorizing the Chair to do so, and the Superintendent of
the Minute Man National Historical Park.
Chair, Board of Selectmen
or
Superintendent
Town
or
Minute Man NHP
� 1 .
Date
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SIGNATURES
This Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed by the Chair of the Board of Selectmen of
each Town, upon a vote of the Board authorizing the Chair to do so, and the Superintendent of
the Minute Man National Historical Park.
X
Chair, Board of Selectmen
or
Superintendent
Lexington
Town
or
Minute Man NHP
g -a 3 -13
Date
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SIGNATURES
This Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed by the Chair of the Board of Selectmen of
each Town, upon a vote of the Board authorizing the Chair to do so, and the Superintendent of
the NEnute Man National Historical Park.
►:4
Pefer Braun
Chair, Board of Selectmen
Town
,�h113
Date
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SIGNATURES
This Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed by the Chair of the Board of Selectmen of
each Town, upon a vote of the Board authorizing the Chair to do so, and the Superintendent of
the Minute Man National Historical Park.
X
Chair, Board of Selectmen
Concord
Sept. 23, 2013
or
Superintendent
Town Date
or
Minute Man NHP
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SIGNATURES
This Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed by the Chair of the Board of Selectmen of
each Town, upon a vote of the Board authorizing the Chair to do so, and the Superintendent of
the Minute Man National Historical Park.
Chair. Boa of Selectmen Town Date
or or
Superintendent Minute Man NHP
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