Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: July 10, 2018
Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Falmouth, MA
PRESENT
Susan Moran (VC), Christopher Simmler (C), Michael Galasso
Absent: Christopher Land (C), Brooks Bartlett
8:30 am
CALL TO ORDER
Having established a quorum, the vice -chairwoman called the meeting to order.
8:30 am
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
8:30 am
GUEST SPEAKERS
Frank Geishecker, General Manager, Black Dog Retail Store, Falmouth
Falmouth is Corporate Office and is the Flagship and largest store.
Started as restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard. Two-pronged service: food service and retail shop.
Hopefully to be opening the Black Dog Café in town.
Decision to move to Falmouth was due to availability of a work force.
Original black dog puppy was born in Falmouth.
Summer and winter holidays are the best seasons.
Primary workforce is summer H.S. and college students and Falmouth H.S. students.
They do not struggle for employment applicants. Right mix of summer families that want their children to work.
Suggests that another 300-400 parking spaces would be helpful for the Town.
They are interested in the Open Cape high speed internet project – corporate officers are discussing.
The last thing all employees say to customers is “thank you for coming to the Black Dog and coming to Falmouth”.
8:42 am
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
TECH PARK
Simmler reported that Broderick has reached out to the Tech Park Owners and Tenants requesting them to apply to be on the EDIC Board, with no response.
Galasso advised that he is speaking to several people from the Tech Park, a few have expressed interest. He will continue to reach out to them to try to recruit a volunteer applicant.
Simmler asked if the Board of Selectmen discussed the Study by the CCC for potential growth opportunities in the Falmouth Tech Park. Moran requested something in writing by Simmler to bring to the Board of Selectmen, to broadly define the study, provide a history and explain how a study aligns with the EDIC mission.
Galasso advised Mass Development has issued a request for proposal for collaborative co-working workspace grants they are offering. Two grants are available: a $25K matching seed grant for a feasibility study, and $250K for a project development grant. Moran suggested the Board meet next week, July 17th, so that the entire board can be present to discuss.
FALMOUTH STATION
Chris Simmler
Moran advised there was a good press article in the CC Times about the Station Grill. Simmler advised that the Station Grill is slowly and carefully being developed.
Simmler visited Vidal Ironworks and he selected a railing. Vidal to visit the site and provide a quote.
Galasso inquired about the rising Republic Service Trash Removal fees. Simmler advised that Broderick is working with Republic to understand and reduce these charges.
Galasso mentioned there are a lot of weeds at the Station. Simmler advised Broderick has made several calls to Clipper to weed. Our contract with Clipper will be reconsidered next year if they are unable or unwilling to respond to the Station Landscaping needs.
Simmler requested that the old pendant lights in basement be disposed of. Moran suggested that the Historical Society be contacted to see if there is any value to them, and the Town Maintenance Director to see if they can be used elsewhere.
Simmler made a motion to be authorized to work with and make a purchase of railings from Vidal Ironworks for the Falmouth Station, the amount not to exceed $5K. Moran 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
Simmler presented Carol McLeod’ss proposal for services to assist with communication messages and ads on the Station TV monitors. Policy parameters were requested by Moran for the next board meeting.
Simmler made a motion to accept Carol McLeod’s proposal to assist the EDIC to develop an ad and content plan for the Falmouth Station TV monitors, not to exceed $3,200. Galasso 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
LANDFILL SOLAR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Michael Galasso
Galasso contacted Citizens Energy for an update. Galasso to invite a speaker to the next Board Meeting to update the board on new solar legislation, solar landfill phase 2 update and new things going on in the industry.
REAL ESTATE
No update.
FINANCE
Chris Simmler
Simmler provided the financial data and warrant reports as of July 10, 2018.
Galasso made a motion to approve the Warrant for $10,384.30. Simmler 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
It was agreed to postpone the discussion on the transferring cash assets into a money market account until a finance person was brought onto the Board.
OPEN CAPE
Michael Galasso
Galasso advised they are still in the process of signing people up to the program. They need to reach to 40 sign ups – not quite there.
A decision will be made within the next few weeks if the $80K will be approved to stay in the state budget for Open Cape. If approved, the EDIC will not have to borrow as much as previously estimated.
Galasso checked in with the EDIC attorney to ensure we are not in violation of any procedures in lending money directly to Open Cape. No final determination yet.
There is no firm date required to acquire the 40 businesses sign up.
Galasso advised that the initial sign-up investment to businesses was reduced from $1,200 to $600.
Moran advised that the report from the Cable Advisory Committee included an interest in partnering with the EDIC to assist with availability of Open Cape services. Donna Buckley from the Selectmen’s Office will be approaching Open Cape.
FALMOUTH HOUSING AUTHORITY
Michael Galasso
Galasso provided proposals for generator installation from local provider Mike Duffany for 2 locations – Choate Road and Salt City housing facilities.
Galasso proposed a loan to the Falmouth Housing Authority to install these generators to these state senior citizen housing properties, to ensure they have warming centers during the winter months.
Bobbi Richards apologized that she did not bring to this meeting evidence of financial ability to repay a loan but assured the Board they are able to do so and will provide the appropriate documentation.
Bobbi Richards inquired as to the terms and conditions of the proposed loan i.e. interest rate and number of years.
Galasso made a motion that the loan to the Falmouth Housing Authority have a rate of 3%, amortized over 5 years. The cost of the EDIC Attorney fees and loan note will be included in the loan. Moran 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
Bobbi Richards will bring these proposed loan terms for 2 generators, one for each property, to the DHCD, the State, and the Falmouth Housing Board for their approval.
Final approval will be voted on by the EDIC Board at a future meeting.
DRAFT OF STRATEGIC PLANS
Chris Land
To be continued at a future meeting.
9:14 am
EDIC ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. APPROVE LAST MEETING MINUTES –
Galasso made a motion to approve the June 12, 2018 Board Meeting minutes. Simmler 2nd. All others in favor. Approved.
B. WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
Reviewed Carol McLeod’s website development proposal. It was agreed that Lynne Broderick would manage website updating thru Carol McLeod. Simmler made a motion to approve $125 an hour to Carol McLeod, 1 hour per month, up to $1,500 for the year to keep the website current and accurate. Moran 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
B. BOARD MEMBER RECRUITMENT – Land, Moran
Simmler updated earlier communication attempts by Broderick to recruit applicants from the Tech Park.
Moran mentioned she knew of some housing experts that may be interested in the Board position. She remains hopeful a new board member will be appointed soon.
9:18 am
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Discuss Future Projects
Station – TV Monitor Advertising - Policy and Pricing
Guest Speaker – August: Solar Project (from Galasso)
Future Guest Speakers – Seasonal Workforce Housing
Parking / Board of Selectmen – consideration of Falmouth Station parking lot development.
9:20 am
ADJOURNMENT
Galasso made a motion to adjourn. Simmler 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
NEXT MEETING
August 14, 2018, 8:30am
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 >