HANSCOM AREA TOWNS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
Held at 7:30 PM on October 30, 2008
At Lincoln Town Offices
PRESENT:
Sara Mattes Lincoln Board of Selectmen (Chair)
Jeanne Krieger Lexington Board of Selectmen
Anne Shapiro Concord Board of Selectmen
Mike Rosenberg Bedford Board of Selectmen
Lisa Mustapich Bedford Planning Board
Richard Canale Lexington Planning Board
Robert Domnitz Lincoln Planning Board
Dorothy Steele Massport/OGCA
Flavio Leo Massport
Lou Sideris Minuteman National Historic Park
7:30 PM INTRODUCTION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman welcomed attendees and outlined the agenda. Apologies were received from Margaret Coppe.
The next meeting will be on November 20th, when the main item will be a workshop on governance issues with a focus on Town Meetings. The following meeting will be on December 18th.
7:40 PM AIRSPACE OBSTRUCTION EVALUATION OVERVIEW
The Chairman introduced Flavio Leo, Massport’s Manager of Aviation Planning, who has agreed to give an overview of the evaluation and review process for obstructions to aviation airspace at the request of Lexington.
Mr. Leo explained the basic principle that all airports have geometrically defined pieces of critical airspace around them where the aim is to protect the safety and efficiency of the airport. The limits of these spaces are specified as surfaces which may be flat or three dimensional. Some surfaces are based on runways and their form depends on whether there is provision for visual or instrument navigation; Hanscom has both. Some are based on the location of the airport.
They include “Part 77” surfaces on which information can be found on-line.
[Ed: Federal Aviation Regulations, CFR Title 14 Part 77, establishes standards and notification requirements for objects affecting navigable airspace. Notification is required for construction or alterations covered by a set of criteria which include distance bands from the airport and spatial position in relation to runways; all construction at airports is covered as is anything of which the FAA asks to be notified. Types of objects covered include buildings, antennas, roads, power and cable lines, radio, temporary equipment etc.] There are also “TERPS” surfaces (US Standard for Terminal Instrument Procedures) to protect aircraft in flight, based on the aircraft and flight paths. Some surfaces are defined by the airline operators but most by the FAA. The airport manager works locally under power delegated by
the FAA on safety matters that are under his control.
The FAA has created a formal process for proponents [accessed via https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/portal.jsp]. The Form 7460 process sets out who needs to file, information to be supplied etc. The FAA will declare that there is a hazard or no hazard to aviation. Massport provides comments as part of this process.
Sara Mattes recalled that something has been in the news recently concerning tall buildings and Logan airport. Mr. Leo explained that Massport has produced a composite map to guide developers and draw attention to airspace constraints early. The map was the result of two years’ work with airlines and the City of Boston. It is hoped that this innovative, proactive approach will be copied elsewhere, and Massport hopes to produce similar maps for Hanscom and Worcester.
Ms. Mattes asked whether improvements in aircraft have led to reduced airspace needs over the years. Mr. Leo responded that this is not necessarily the case, as some surfaces are designed to allow for worst case scenarios including emergencies. The tendency across the country is for airspace to become eroded and therefore the need to protect facilities becomes more critical.
Jeanne Krieger stated that Lexington is interested in enhancing commercial development in the Hartwell Avenue area near Hanscom airfield and has heard that height restrictions apply; it would be useful to know more. Mr. Leo said that this area is affected by the main runway, so development proposals would need to be reviewed. Ms. Krieger mentioned that a housing development has apparently been allowed with an easement. Mr. Leo said that an existing obstruction does not open the way to further degradation of protected airspace; proposals are evaluated individually. Richard Canale asked whether the geometry described in on-line references would give developers the full picture of constraints; Mr. Leo responded that the FAA may cover additional things in its review and the best advice may be for developers to
apply early to the FAA. For the town to find out more about the general picture, such as appropriate building heights in particular areas, he suggested discussions with Massport and with the FAA’s Burlington staff. Contacts will be supplied. ACTION: Massport
Robert Domnitz pointed out that a town can submit hypothetical, specific examples to the FAA for review; Lincoln has used this approach to investigate potential cell tower sites. Mr. Leo agreed that it would be appropriate to use this approach within reason.
Mr. Domnitz commented that the FAA’s rulings sometimes seem strange, for example requiring lighting on towers where there are trees. Lincoln has begun requiring installation of shields on cell tower lights to cut out downward light which can be a nuisance to nearby residents, and Mr. Domnitz asked if anyone knew of examples of shields already installed on cell tower lights. Massport only knew of some shields on other types of aviation warning lights in Boston.
8:10 PM MINUTEMAN NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK UPDATE
Lou Sideris reported that MNHP is working on its management plan for the Park. At Sunnyside Lane, work is underway to restore the brook and culvert. A parking lot is being planned at the Noah Brooks tavern on the south side of North Great Road, to encourage use of the building.
MNHP has heard of a proposal concerning the military base housing that is of some concern. The housing was in the process of being rebuilt when the contractor failed and was replaced; now it is proposed to convert a portion of the housing to civilian use. This would involve reopening Airport Road which runs behind the visitor center and has been kept gated in recent years. MNHP is concerned about the effect on the historic Jacob Whittemore house and the Battle Road trail. The Park was hoping to expand activity at the visitor center and have a link between it and the Whittemore house. HATS members had not heard of the housing proposal and were also concerned. They commented that it seemed inconsistent with the Air Force’s past approach, where it had sought more housing to meet base needs rather than
less. The Chairman asked Mr. Domnitz to inquire about the matter.
Mr. Sideris also reported the following items of news: celebratory events are being planned in the Park for next year; Mel Gibson has been shooting a movie using Park locations recently; the cattle and a small herd of sheep have been proving popular with visitors.
8:20 PM HFAC REPORT
The Chairman gave a brief report based on notes supplied by Margaret Coppe. The annual noise report has been posted on the HFAC website, www.hfac.homestead.com. Traffic at Hanscom continues to decline.
Massport mentioned that the report is also on its website, www.massport.com under Hanscom.
8:30 PM MAGIC/MPO UPDATE
Richard Canale reported that the last MAGIC meeting, held in Concord, received a presentation on the Census. An effort is underway to improve its accuracy which is important. MAPC is getting involved in coordination and each town has been asked to identify a primary contact. ACTION: Towns
The legislative breakfast has tentatively been scheduled for Friday December 12th at Bedford Old Town Hall. It will be finalised after the elections.
On the morning of Thursday November 6th there will be a meeting at the State Transportation Building, where it is hoped that the MPO will release the draft TIP for public comment. Mr. Canale agreed to check whether HATS representation would be appropriate.
8:40 PM UPDATE ON 128 CCC
Jeanne Krieger reported that over the last month the Coalition has concentrated on the potential for a multi-modal transportation center. This would involve relocating the Kendall Green station on the Fitchburg line. Conversations have been initiated with political representatives.
8:50 PM PLANNING FOR NOVEMBER 20th GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP
The Selectmen discussed arrangements for the workshop that will be the main item at the November 20th meeting. Proposed invitees include Moderators, representatives of
Lexington’s Town Meeting Members’ Association, and Chairs of Lexington, Concord and Bedford’s Leagues of Women Voters, and a subcommittee of Lincoln’s Comprehensive Long Range Plan committee that is looking at governance issues.
Ms. Mattes suggested that it will be useful to have examples on such matters as: distribution of materials in advance of Town Meeting; attendance levels and whether these have changed over time; outreach and education of new residents; measures to make Town Meeting user friendly; scheduling; and quorums and their effect. Others added the following suggestions for discussion: comparisons between representative and open Town Meeting models; use of time limits; attendance by town committee members and staff; and annual cycle (not covering the budget process which could be a topic for a future workshop).
Any further questions or thoughts for the workshop should be emailed to the Chairman.
9:15 PM OTHER BUSINESS
Minutes
The Chairman noted that the minutes of the September meeting (including the presentation by the National Guard) need to be reviewed.
Website
Catherine Perry has set up a webpage for HATS on Lincoln’s town website, www.lincolntown.org. Approved minutes will be posted here.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Submitted by Catherine Perry based on TV recording
Approved December 18, 2008
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