Hanscom Area Towns Selectmen – HATS
Committee Meeting Minutes of July 24, 2003
7:30 p.m., Lincoln Town Offices
In Attendance: Selectmen Sara Mattes (Lincoln) - Chairman, Jeanne Krieger (Lexington), Sheldon Moll (Bedford). Richard Canale - Environmental Subcommittee (ESC). Richard Walsh – Massport. Carolyn Weaver recorded the minutes.
Absent: Ann Shapiro – Concord Selectman
Introduction and Minutes – Mr. Moll called the meeting to order and thanked everyone for coming. All present introduced themselves. The meeting minutes of May 22, 2003 were Approved 3-0.
A MOTION was made by Ms. Mattes to accept the minutes for the meeting of June 26, 2003 as notes, where there was no quorum, but important issues were discussed that are accurately reflected in these notes. Ms. Krieger seconded the motion. The notes of June 26, 2003 were Approved 3-0.
FESPR – Submission of Comments – In addition to the introductory letter from the ESC, Mr. Moll will draft a separate letter to be signed by the HATS Chairman in support of the ESC’s efforts. The letter should acknowledge and thank the ESC for their hard work in producing the comments to the FESPR. Mr. Canale will email Mr. Moll copy of the cover letter to the draft ESPR for reference. Mr. Canale will generate a cover letter to be signed by all members of the Environmental Subcommittee (ESC) and HATS chair. He will incorporate the cover letters into a book, send out two copies to MEPA and circulate copies to HATS committee members and others. The ESC would encourage additional comments from local residents. Comments from the
individual towns will also be included. The Lincoln Board of Selectmen voted to endorse comments made by Ms. Mattes at the MEPA hearing regarding the FESPR.
Election of New Chairman – Ms. Krieger nominated Ms. Mattes as chairman for FY04. Ms. Mattes was elected chairman by a vote of 3-0.
Update on FedEx Plans at Hanscom – Mr. Walsh stated that Massport has had no further communications with FedEx on operations at Hanscom. At the request of David Jensen, Senior Counsel, Regulatory Affairs of FedEx, Mr. Enrich agreed that it would be acceptable and appropriate for FedEx to wait until September to make their presentation to HFAC. He was assured that after the September meeting it would take no less than 6-12 months for FedEx to make their arrangements to start up service, allowing adequate time for HFAC to make recommendations to Massport. A FedEx representative has contacted the Bedford Town Administrator to discuss making a presentation. Christine Sullivan of O’Neil and Associates, FedEx’s public relations firm, has also
contacted Lincoln and Lexington Selectmen. Mr. Enrich will meet with Mr. Walsh to discuss a presentation schedule for FedEx. Mr. Aisenberg stated that O’Neil and Associates is not merely a PR firm, but a very well connected lobbying group.
Update on Commercial and Corporate Aviation Activities – Shuttle America continues to make four trips to Trenton. Hangar One architects may make a presentation to HFAC in October.
Approach to Future HATS Meetings – The group re-examined the need to focus on issues relevant to its intended purpose. HATS and HFAC are intended to serve two different purposes. The group decided that the chairmen of HFAC and HATS would be responsible for setting appropriate agendas that distinguish between matters that are relevant to each group. HATS meetings should be focused on supporting HAFB, to help with long term planning issues, potential changes to the base and their subsequent impacts on the four towns. There is also the need to distinguish between activities at the field from those at the base. HFAC is intended to be an information gathering advisory group that reports to Massport. In effort to cover issues pertinent to both groups,
a decision was made to restore the HFAC Report as an agenda item for HATS meetings.
Ms. Mattes will invite the new Wing Commander Colonel Jones, who has recently replaced Colonel Peters, to the September HATS meeting to discuss how HATS can be supportive of base operations, both on-going and into the future. Separate from that, HATS will need to meet with MassDevelopment to consult with them as to how to be supportive of their campaign to build the base.
Open Discussion – The Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) Committee needs to be assembled and informed of their focus and responsibilities. Selectmen from each Town need to appoint 2 members to the Committee prior to the September HATS meeting. Ms. Mattes will update Ms. Shapiro on the group’s intent to revive the DRI and remind her to appoint 2 representatives. The DRI will function most effectively if comprised of people who are dedicated and motivated, and willing to run it with the same kind of energy that the ESC operates under.
Report to HATS on Surface Transportation Plans - Mr. Canale notified the board that 3 certification documents were released today for public review and that HATS may wish to comment. They are the Boston Region MPO Public Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program and the Unified Program Work plan. In light of vacation schedules, the group agreed to contact each of the 4 Towns’ Planning Boards and other relevant subcommittees to request comments. The 35 day comment period ends in mid-August. Mr. Canale was authorized by the board to draft comments from the ESC. Copies of the documents are available on the web at www.bostonmpo.org.
Housing privatization – Mr. Corcoran reported that after being on hold for some time, the housing privatization process is back on track. Some changes have been made in the plans, primarily a decrease in the number of houses. He will notify the four Town Administrators that the project is underway. The RFP should be out for bid on August 8, 2003. A draft of the RFP can be found at www.bbpa.com.
Mr. Walsh reported that a B17 would be at Hanscom Field on August 3 for public display as part of a national tour. Massport has offered job programs to hire six summer interns. All six positions have been filled.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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