Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: February 9, 2021
Zoom Meeting
PRESENT
Christopher Land (C), Christopher Simmler (VC), Thomas Feronti (CK), Michael Galasso and Samuel Patterson
ABSENT - Paul Burke (T), Patti Haney
8:35 am* CALL TO ORDER
A quorum was established. The Chair called the meeting to order.
8:35 PUBLIC COMMENT
None
8:36 FINANCE
Lynne Broderick
Broderick referenced the financials reports noting the year start with Assets in the amount of $522,534.87 and Liabilities in the amount of $23,534.94. Net income Loss for January 31, 2021 was - $7,479.17.
The warrant and invoices and were reviewed.
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to approve the warrant in the amount of $16,389.23. Simmler 2nd. Roll Call: Patterson Aye, Land Aye, Galasso Aye, Simmler Aye. Motion passed.
The final edited Falmouth EDIC 2021 Budget was reviewed and discussed. The 2021 budget forecasts a Net Loss of $68,096.
MOTION: Patterson made a motion to approve the revised Falmouth EDIC 2021 Budget. Land 2nd. Roll Call: Patterson Aye, Land Aye, Galasso Aye, Simmler Aye. Motion passed.
It was agreed by that Board that obtaining reimbursement of the $50K for the Fiber Optic Network Study should be investigated and pursued.
8:55 CDBG Community Development Block Grant COVID-19
Mike DiGiano, Lynne Broderick
DiGiano reported that the EDIC executed the Neighborly contract for the grant application software in the amount of $7,800. The Town submitted an amendment to the EOHCD to allow and include this expense within the administrative budget.
DiGiano and Broderick continue to work on the detail of the online grant application, and as well are participating in multiple training and development sessions.
The target date for the CDBG grant Portal to go Live is Feb. 15th, 2021.
DiGiano and Galasso attended the Feb. 4th Falmouth Village Association board meeting to discuss ways the EDIC can work collaboratively with the FVA. The FVA was interested in learning about the CDBG grant program and the Open Cape Gigabit projects and committed to assisting with communicating both programs to their business community.
9:02 MASS DEVELOPMENT TECH. ASSIST.GRANT - FALMOUTH STATION
Mike DiGiano, Chris Simmler, Tom Feronti
DiGiano reported that Mass Development wants to sign off on the work scope for the project. Most of the items shown within the scope are within the realm of what is stated in the MassDOT master lease with the EDIC, however, housing is not mentioned. A follow up meeting is planned. Until the MassDOT approves the scope, Mass Development cannot complete the final Scope of Work.
Simmler inquired if the Falmouth Carousel could be placed on the Falmouth Station property. Galasso did not believe that the carousel would be considered transportation related by MassDOT; suggesting that the EDIC assist to find another place for it. Patterson does not think the Station is the best location for the carousel and it should be placed in better location, more accessible to the general public and children.
Patterson suggested adding including CCRTA, Tom Cahir, in the scoping effort; citing he would be a good advocate and legislator for the project.
Galasso noted that the Nitsch Engineering scope of work was too heavy in traffic and engineering, rather than a community planning exercise; noting the new scope should be more orientated towards land and architecture master planning.
Patterson inquired if the scope of work had been shared with the Falmouth Planning Board. DiGiano responded that he thought he had sent the document to Tom Bott, but would do so again to make sure he was included.
9:14 SEAPORT COUNCIL FUNDING & MERCO/ FEDIC GRANT APPLICATION
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano said he received notification from the ED of MERCo advising that the application was funded. The grant application should arrive shortly. DiGiano recited the scope of the project.
The EDIC’s role in this project will be grant administrator/ manager. MERCo will be the project manager overseeing the operation execution.
The Falmouth EDIC will receive an administrative fee of approximately $10K.
Galasso inquired if Open Cape was contacted for a cost estimate regarding the internet connection for the project platform. DiGiano said those conversations would take place between MERCo and Open Cape; but he would inquire.
9:21 EOHED – LOCAL RAPID RECOVERY PLANNING FUNDS TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWNS
Michael Galasso
Item no longer open. Remove from future discussion.
9:23 OUTREACH PROJECT – MEETINGS WITH LOCAL COMMITTEES
Galasso reported that he and DiGiano attended the Falmouth Village Association, to introduce the EDIC and to discuss ways the EDIC can work together with them to assist local business. Galasso shared information about the CDBG grant program, they discussed other FVA plans and the issues they’ve encountered roadblocking some of these plans. Galasso intends to stay in contact with the FVA and report to the board any news.
Simmler advised that he has a meeting on March 3rd with the Bikeways Committee. Feronti intends to attend as well.
9:24 COMMITTEE REPORTS
FALMOUTH TECHNOLOGY PARK
Tom Feronti, Patti Haney, Mike DiGiano
DiGiano is awaiting a report from Holmes & McGrath on the engineering on the drainage plan for 64 Technology Park. DiGiano to follow up.
The Cape Cod Commission signed the acknowledgement of the extension of Development Agreement Extension. The DA Extension agreement was originally due to expire in Feb. 2021 but due to the CV-19 emergency orders by the State, the CCC was permitted to extend the DA Extension until Feb. 2025. The Falmouth Tech Park Assoc. agreed to equally share in the legal costs that were incurred to accomplish the new extension.
FALMOUTH STATION
Mike DiGiano, Lynne Broderick
Simmler inquired if it is possible to add into the scope of work with Mass Development an Awning, as was shown in old pictures of the Falmouth Station, for people to stand under. Patterson recommended a Solar Panel awning.
DiGiano reported that cleaning service was reduced as the Station would be closed 3 days a week.
The EDIC is waiting for written permission from the MassDOT to install EV Charging Stations at the Falmouth Station, before submitting the EVIP grant application. DiGiano mentioned there may be some expenses related to the installation i.e. software, warranty, etc. The EDIC will need to research this further. Simmler inquired if the Nitsch Engineering SOW included EV charging stations. Patterson suggested contacting Tom Cahir from CCRTA for his thoughts on the matter. Broderick reminded the board of the $10K expense to the EDIC for items not included in the grant funding. Discussion ensued by the Board.
SOLAR LANDFILL PROJECT – PHASE 2
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano reported that construction crews were at the site this week to start the staging of the project.
Rent from Citizen’s Energy is scheduled to start in August 2021.
The Citizen’s Joe-4-Sun project is underway; providing energy credits to 250 low income households in Falmouth. The EDIC organized an informational meeting with local social services: Council of Aging, Falmouth Service Ctr., Falmouth Housing Authority, etc., to share the program details.
OPEN CAPE
Mike DiGiano
The EDIC organized a meeting with Open Cape and the Falmouth Chamber to discuss marketing and outreach to local businesses to drive enrollment. It was noted that CV-19 presented unforeseen challenges to enrollment. Open Cape is to develop and provide marketing material for ads and social media to promote the program. The marketing theme will be “Falmouth is the Most Connected Community on the Cape”.
Patterson noted “Netley”, a business working with a large I.S.P. company, citing they said that many potential Users is for the 5G system for cell phones. Discussion ensued about this technology.
FIBER OPTIC NETWORK STUDY UPDATE
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano said he is trying to get on the Falmouth Board of Selectman meeting agenda; to obtain official support of the project and direction for next steps.
The EDIC has previously talked about developing an RFI to engage with I.S.P.’s to attract some interest and determine finance mechanisms. Patterson advised this is being worked on by the Falmouth Community Network Committee.
Discussion ensued about next steps and the challenges with obtaining funding for the project.
Feronti stated that due to the large workload of the EDIC Staff, he suggested that the EDIC take advantage of the expertise of the Falmouth Community Network Committee; providing direction and questions and allowing them to do the legwork and then report back to the EDIC on their findings.
Patterson noted that what would be attractive to a potential I.S.P. is if the Falmouth project was presented as a growth opportunity; a starting point to eventually grow to include other Cape Cod and Southeastern MA towns.
Galasso commented that it was very important that the EDIC stay engaged in the process with FCNC to ensure that the EDIC funds used to contract the study were effectively invested.
10:16 EDIC ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
The vote to approve the Jan.12, 2020 Meeting Minutes was not done as the EDIC Board did not meet a quorum.
MOTION: Galasso made motion to authorize the EDIC Executive Director to sign contracts up to a maximum amount of $10,000. Patterson 2nd. Roll Call: Patterson Aye, Galasso Aye, Feronti Aye, Simmer Aye. Motion passed.
10:18 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to adjourn the Public Meeting Session and move into Executive Meeting Session, and not return to Public Session, to discuss a Falmouth Station’s tenant’s lease as reviewing it in Public Session would be detrimental to the EDIC’s negotiating position. Patterson 2nd. Roll Call: Patterson Aye, Galasso Aye, Feronti Aye, Simmler Aye. Motion passed.
NEXT MEETING – March 9th, 2021, 8:30am
*Times listed are intended merely for guidance.
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