Hanscom Area Towns Selectmen - HATS
Committee Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2004
7:30 p.m., Lincoln Town Offices
In Attendance: Selectmen Sara Mattes (Lincoln) - Chairman, Jeanne Krieger (Lexington), Sheldon Moll (Bedford), and Anne Shapiro (Concord). Sara Arnold and Richard Walsh - Massport. Carolyn Weaver recorded the minutes.
1. Introduction, Agenda & Minutes - The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. Ms. Mattes introduced Representative Susan Pope and welcomed members of the DRI. The February HATS meeting minutes will be considered for approval at the next meeting. The agenda was reviewed and opened for additional items. As noted on the agenda, HAFB will not make a presentation on housing privatization because the award of contract to the developer was challenged putting the project on hold for a 90-day investigation period.
2. Developments of Regional Interest (DRI) nominees are:
Lexington - Stew Kennedy and Larry Belvin
Lincoln - Sarah Cannon Holden and Ephraim Flint
Concord - Dorcas Miller and Chris Ryan
Bedford - Robert Fagan and Jon O’Connor
ACTION: Ms. Weaver will obtain and distribute the list of DRI members, phone numbers and email addresses.
3. Nancy Nelson - MMNHP update on status of Master Plan. The Minuteman National Historic Park is undertaking a General Management Plan Amendment to focus on the preservation and protection of the Battle Road unit. They are presently working with the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge on alternate transportation planning ideas. The next phase, to start in late spring, will explore in more detail various types of transportation partnerships available, such as expanding the Liberty Ride to sites in Lincoln and Concord. The third phase will examine the traffic data to learn more about the transportation patterns of the visitors. A corridor management plan will then be undertaken to specifically define the design parameters of the Battle Road in order to protect
it as a historical national resource. They will work in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Mass and input from the HATS community is welcome.
The primary objectives of the MMNHP are to 1) protect public and employee safety, 2) preserve the resources that they are required to protect for future generations, and 3) provide service for visitors. Limited funding and increased concern for safety has resulted in park managers being able to fund only those projects that meet these objectives. Service level adjustments will likely be made by limiting hours at visitor centers and the Hartwell Tavern, postponing maintenance projects and temporarily closing some structures. The current level of funding is insufficient to meet the changing needs of the Park.
Marilyn Fenellosa, Lexington resident and member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) stated that the NTHP has listed the Battle Road as one of the most endangered historic resources in the country. By writing letters to the congressional delegation right now, there is an opportunity to affect the operating budget while budgets are being developed. Ms. Fenellosa agreed to draft a letter on behalf of the HATS community stating her argument for increased funding for the MMNHP.
ACTION: A draft letter from the NTHP will be forthcoming; the letter will be circulated for review, edited as needed, and signed by Ms. Mattes on behalf of the Selectmen.
ACTION: Mr. Smith and Ms. Nelson will organize monthly community meetings within the 4 Town area to identify common interests and help save the park.
4. DRI - Members adjourned and reconvened briefly in the Selectmen’s Meeting room at 8:12 p.m. There was no report from HFAC since few members attended due to a snowstorm.
5. Massport - Mr. Walsh stated that Massport is beginning the process of looking at the 2005 Environmental Status and Planning Report (ESPR).
6. Other Business - The resolution to support HAFB passed at Bedford’s Town Meeting. The Towns of Lincoln and Lexington will present similar resolutions at their respective upcoming Town Meetings. Concord expects to draft a Town Resolution to the same effect.
7. Minuteman Commons - Mr. Smith presented a slide show of a concept plan for Minuteman Commons, a 28-unit housing development on 3.65 acres of land surrounded by Massport property in the North Lincoln Planning District. Gary Hendren and Patrick Morganelli are the co-developers of the property. The units, intended for 55 and older, are architecturally compatible with the area and beyond the view shed. No affordable housing is part of this plan.
MMNHP has not made an official statement regarding the project, but increased traffic is a concern. Massport is not in favor of the project because of its proximity to the airport runway.
ACTION: Ms. Arnold will find out what percent of noise complaints come from the Battle Road farms area.
Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
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