Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: Apr 12, 2016
Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Falmouth, MA
8:30am
CALL TO ORDER
The chairman called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Present: Mike Galasso©, David Eldredge (VC), Jay Zavala (Clerk), Chris Langlais (T), Sue Moran, Jim Fox, Brooks Bartlett.
8:32am
PUBLIC COMMENT
Peter Karlson from EforAll spoke to the committee giving a brief history of the organization that started in the Lowell/Lawrence area. He stated that their mission was to accelerate social and economic impact through entrepreneurship in mid-sized cities. He reviewed E’s current organizational structure, and the activities that go on year round. He explained what their “Pitch Contest” was all about and how we could get involved if we desired. Peter ended his presentation by answering several questions from committee members. The chairman thanked him for coming and said we would be in touch once the committee decided if this is an area that we would like to pursue. George Malloy our CPA from Lynch, Malloy, Marini, LLP addressed the committee stating that he needs land values for the four parcels of land that the town has given the EDIC. He also needs clarification on Lot 88 that was devalued from $250,000.00 to $89,281.00 in June 30th of 2007. Moran and Zavala will meet with the assessors and will give Malloy the info he needs in a letter signed by Zavala Clerk of the FEDIC. Malloy also updated the committee on the clarification from the IRS. We are a 501 C3 but do not have to file as we are a “component unit” of the Town of Falmouth.
8:45am
PRESENTATION
None
9:45am
WORKING GROUP UPDATES: BOS 5-YR STRAT PLAN
Bartlett reported no updates. We will keep it on the agenda one more month to evaluate and then decide whether to keep it on the agenda or remove it.
HOUSING ISSUES UPDATE
Galasso reported that the planning board is reviewing and looking for comments on the accessory bi-law draft. He also stated that we (Falmouth) currently do not have a representative to the Cape Cod Commission’s Home Consortium.( this is the one place in the county that provides funds for Affordable Housing Projects) Moran added that Virginia Carmichael has been working with the CPC and the selectmen have approved the concept to go through the CPC.
9:20am
COMMITTEE REPORTS: FALMOUTH STATION
Eldredge gave the committee an update since the last board meeting: -Approval of Holmes and McGrath (a local civil engineering firm) to prepare a site survey. It will be available this week. -The architect, Beacon, will be using the site information to complete a landscaping plan and will submit it to the estimator. The site plan will also provide the location of utilities servicing the building as well as the topography of the entire site. Additionally the site plan will be used to configure the use and storage of building materials during construction as well as planning the location of a temporary trailer and storage of buses to allow Peter Pan to continue to operate. -Beacon Architects have completed the design documents and have forwarded them to a construction estimator. (minus the landscaping plan) This is to ensure we stay within budget. Once this happens (estimated 2-3weeks) Beacon will begin the process of obtaining bids for the work. -Recently, Eldredge, the clerk of the works, and the architect met with the State Building inspector onsite to review the scope of the project. The state will oversee all the inspections with the exception of the electrical inspection which will be handled by the Falmouth Electrical Inspector. The clerk of the works and the architect will be working with the state inspector for permitting applications and inspections. Falmouth Station Advisory Committee Report – The last meeting was held on March 18th. The architect was there to provide current information and clarification on the design elements within the building. There was a discussion about the proposals brought to the EDIC Board at the last meeting. Some of the proposals may be able to be integrated into the design and some long term proposals may be delayed as further funds may be needed. Because some of the proposals are budget dependent the FS sub-committee has elected to delay preliminary decisions on the Advisory Committees proposals until after we have obtained the construction estimates back. The next FS Advisory Committee meeting will be held on April 19th. The committee has asked the architect and the civil engineer to attend so they may ask questions and discuss ideas about the site. A brief discussion followed that included the uses that would be acceptable by Mass DOT for the extra space at the station. Many thought that we should try to get a local business rather than a national chain if possible. Also it was pointed out by Fox that we would be on the hook for about $17,000 a year until we got an additional tenant.
LANDFILL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Fox reported that construction on the solar array should start next month. Also yesterday we were notified by the Dept. of Public Utilities that the Falmouth EDIC is classified as an “Other Than Governmental Entity” which allows us (EDIC) to have our own meter at the site. This will allow for the town to get an additional 10 Megawatts of renewable energy totaling 20 Megawatts. The chairman has asked Citizen’s Energy for an updated construction schedule. He noted that the project needs to be up and running by January 8, 2017 and by all indications it will be.
AQUACULTURE
A brief discussion included renaming this category to include vertical farming. Brooks will come back to the committee next month.
REAL ESTATE
Langlais said he will get the values to George Malloy.
FINANCE
Langlais presented a warrant for $28,387.53. A motion was made and seconded and passed unanimously. It was noted by Fox that our current projects and the four parcels of land would increase our assets considerably.
TECH PARK
None
MUNICIPAL BROADBAND
Zavala reported that we are waiting for Open Cape to disseminate their questionnaire. When that happens he will report to the committee.
9:50am
EDIC ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the Public Session minutes from the December 8, 2015, February 15, 2016, and the March 15, 2016 EDIC meetings. It passed unanimously
WEBSITE IMPROVEMENTS
Update –Zavala reported they met with Carol McLeod Design (with the help of Barbara Weyand) to complete the proposal with all of the amendments. The scheduling of all the phases to new website is tight and will be forwarded to all in the next couple of days. Moran added that it will be under the approved budget of $10,000.
RECORDING SECRETARY
None
10:00am
CORRESPONDENCE
Zavala reported that on April14th the Federal Reserve Board is putting on a presentation at the Cape Codder Hotel in Hyannis. The subject will be on “Work Force Trends.”
10:10am
NEW BUSINESS
David Eldredge announced to the board that he will be resigning from the board effective the end of the meeting for personal reasons. The chairman thanked David for all he has done for the town and the EDIC. All of the members thanked David as he will be sorely missed. A motion was made and seconded to accept Eldredge’s resignation. It passed. The chairman asked the clerk to let the town manager know of the vacancy on the board
FUTURE PROJECTS DISCUSSION
For the next meeting the chairman asked the board members to be prepared to discuss additional Solar Development Opportunities and Ideas about the Falmouth Senior Center with regard to getting involved in the future.
NEXT MEETING
May 10, 2016, 8:30am, Same place.
10:20am
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. It passed unanimously.
Our Projects
Falmouth Station Restoration
Rehabilitation of the Historic Falmouth Station located at 59 Depot Avenue in Falmouth.
Read More & View All Projects >
Doing Business in Falmouth
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
Employs approximately 1,200 people, including more than 500 scientists, engineers, ship's crew and technicians.
View Top Employers in Falmouth >