Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: January 12, 2021
Zoom Meeting
PRESENT
Christopher Land (C), Christopher Simmler (VC), Paul Burke (T), Patti Haney, Michael Galasso and Samuel Patterson
ABSENT - Thomas Feronti (Ck)
8:34 am* CALL TO ORDER
A quorum was established. The Chair called the meeting to order.
8:34 PUBLIC COMMENT
None
8:34 FINANCE
Paul Burke
Burke referenced the financials reports noting a Net Profit Loss of - $91K YTD as of 12/31/2020.
George Malloy reported that the YE financials will be updated due to the receipt of the Citizens lease payment check yesterday. As well, the payment to the Town of Falmouth, for their split of this lease payment, will be added to the 2020 financials. New corrected reports will be sent to the Board. Malloy said the new Net Income Loss is expected to be - $74K.
Simmler suggested that potential additional income for Tech Park sale, P & B bus lease rent and project management fees be added to 2021. DiGiano reported that the 2021 budget was done conservatively due to the business uncertainty due to CV-19. Simmler recommended creating an alternative budget to show more possible income avenues.
Galasso suggested the EDIC apply for PPP. The board agreed.
Galasso inquired if it would be possible to recoup the $50K the EDIC paid for the Fiber Optic Network Study; perhaps the Fiber Optic Network Committee could apply for a grant for this purpose.
George Malloy, the EDIC CPA suggested that he could add a fixed budget/ reporting that could be added the monthly accounting reporting package. As well, he noted the audited financials for 2019 were completed, reviewed and approved by him, Paul Burke and EDIC staff. George mentioned there are 10 government audited standard board changes that may influence the financial statements in the future to make them easier to use and understand.
Burke reminded the Board that the EDIC CD’s were not renewed; those funds were put into the EDIC Money Market, the impact will be less in interest income of approximately $2K.
MOTION: Simmler made a motion to approve the warrant in the amount of $27,850.17. Haney 2nd. Roll Call: Burke Aye, Galasso Aye, Patterson Aye, Simmler Aye, Haney Aye. Motion passed.
DiGiano presented the proposed EDIC 2021 Budget for board review. The projection is a Net Profit Loss of - $80K, which will result with a reduction in the cash reserve to approximately $300K.
Galasso questioned if the payroll account is budgeted correctly/enough, as it is expected extra staff work/hours will be needed this year. Simmler suggested increasing payroll budget by 5 hours per week per person. DiGiano said the staff would consider and come back with a recommendation.
MOTION: Simmler made a motion to accept the 2021 EDIC budget. Haney 2nd. Roll Call: Simmler Aye, Galasso Aye, Haney Aye, Patterson Aye, Burke Aye. Motion passed.
9:17 CDBG Community Development Block Grant COVID-19
Mike DiGiano, Lynne Broderick
DiGiano reported that the Town of Falmouth approved the EDIC draft forms and procedures for the grant application process.
One of the issues to be resolved is how to provide a secure document upload method for the private and sensitive applicant information, tax returns, etc.
The EDIC staff identified and spoke with a software business, Neighborly, that has created a specific CDBG software module for this application process/ document retention/ reporting. Many MA towns are using this product for their micro-grant applications. Neighborly provided a price proposal of $7,800 to the EDIC for a 1-year subscription. Typically, this expense is covered by the grant funds – a portion of which is allowed for administration expense. The Town has submitted an amendment to increase the EDIC administrative expense to cover this software program. DiGiano and Broderick believe that using this module would save a lot of staff time in application processing.
Simmler inquired about the award process and was advised it was a Lottery system. Applications will be numbered. It will be a random selection of those applicants that meet all the program requirements.
Patterson believes that the Board of Selectmen will need to approve the application process. As well, he is not certain that a lottery is the best manner to select awardees, and that perhaps it should be based on the businesses most in need. DiGiano believes that the BOS has already approved the process as the Lottery process was in the original grant application request to the State for funding.
DiGiano advised that most MA Towns are awarding the funds based on a first come, first serve basis, to get the funds out to small businesses immediately.
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to approve the expense of $7,800 for the CDBG software module. Haney 2nd. Roll Call: Simmler, Aye, Galasso Aye, Haney Aye, Patterson Aye, Burke Aye. Motion passed.
9:32 MASS DEVELOPMENT TECH. ASSIST.GRANT - FALMOUTH STATION
Mike DiGiano, Chris Simmler, Tom Feronti
DiGiano reported that Mass Development awarded $50K to the EDIC for this purpose. Initial phone conferences occurred. They will provide a scoping document within the next 1-2 weeks.
Nitsche, is the engineering firm assigned to this project to create a Falmouth Station master plan.
There is no project management fee due to the EDIC for this project; the EDIC is matching the grant with $25K in Staff Time.
The next step will be a review of the scoping document with the EDIC Staff and sub-committee (Simmler & Feronti).
Installing Solar panels at Falmouth Station to reduce energy expense was mentioned by Patterson; citing that the Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative is installing canopies on Cape Cod in various locations, and they may be a source for grants for this project/purpose.
Discussion on other ways to develop the Falmouth Station property ensued.
9:40 SEAPORT COUNCIL FUNDING & MERCO/ FEDIC GRANT APPLICATION
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano said the Seaport Council advised they are still reviewing grant applications, advising they expect to be notifying the EDIC by Feb. 1st.
9:41 EOHED – LOCAL RAPID RECOVERY PLANNING FUNDS TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWNS
Michael Galasso
DiGiano said the EDIC provided the grant application to the Falmouth Village Association for his purpose. As it was a short window to apply, he is unsure if they submitted the grant application. Galasso to inquire and update at the next meeting.
9:43 OUTREACH PROJECT – MEETINGS WITH LOCAL COMMITTEES
Simmler advised that he and DiGiano attended the Transportation Mgmt. Committee meeting. He reported they were pleased with the EDIC interest and participation. He intends to follow up with the Bikeways Committee.
DiGiano said they are interested in the connection with the Shining Sea Bikeway to Depot Ave., to Palmer Ave. and Main St. As well, they are interested in CCRTA doing more shuttle service from the Station parking to the Main St. business district. Patterson said he would continue to liaison with CCRTA on the issue of the grant opportunity for this project.
9:46 COMMITTEE REPORTS
FALMOUTH TECHNOLOGY PARK
Tom Feronti, Patti Haney, Mike DiGiano
Engineering work to be done on the 64 Technology Park property easement issue. Once the easement issue is resolved it will be put out for sale or lease.
FALMOUTH STATION
Mike DiGiano, Lynne Broderick
The Station Grill café lease expires in the fall. The current tenant approached the EDIC about a lease renewal. This subject will be discussed at a later meeting in Executive Session.
The café tenant requested to reduce his open days of operations from 5 to 4 days per week: Thurs. – Sun., due to the loss of business due to CV-19. The board approved the request.
DiGiano advised of new MA DEP funding for public access EV charging Stations, possibly for 100%, requesting permission to submit an application.
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to approve the EDIC to proceed with the MassDEP application for the EV charging stations. Haney 2nd. Roll Call: Simmler Aye, Galasso Aye, Haney Aye, Patterson Aye, Burke Aye. Motion passed.
SOLAR LANDFILL PROJECT – PHASE 2
Mike DiGiano
Citizens reported they expect contractors will be on site within the next few weeks.
OPEN CAPE
Mike DiGiano
There are approximately 33-34 Open Cape connections to date.
Open Cape, the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce and the EDIC will meet soon to discuss a renewed marketing outreach to drive additional sign-ups.
DiGiano reported there has been a lot of positive press regarding this project. The Network committee is putting together a public education program. The EDIC’s next step will be to approach ISP providers and create an RFI with the Network Committee -Sam Patterson is participating with this process.
Simmler said an RFI process is not typically productive due to the sensitivity of competing businesses intellectual property and ideas. He suggested reaching out to ISP for informal conversations about their interest, services and suggestions/ideas.
Galasso mentioned the extensive funds that were just passed by Congress for the Last Mile Internet Connection. He suggests that a report be sent to our Congressman’s office advising we are looking for funding for this effort.
Patterson suggested the EDIC create an endorsement letter for the need and support of an expanded internet capability. DiGiano offered to draft a letter for the Chair to sign.
FIBER OPTIC NETWORK STUDY UPDATE
Mike DiGiano
No Update
10:02 EDIC ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
MOTION: Simmler made a motion to approve the Dec. 8th, 2020 Public Session Board Meeting Minutes. Patterson 2nd. Roll Call: Simmler Aye, Galasso Aye, Haney Abstain, Patterson Aye, Burke Aye, Land Aye. Motion passed.
10:05 NEW AGENDA TOPICS / GUEST SPEAKERS
Executive Session to discuss lease options for the Falmouth Station tenants.
10:06 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Haney made a motion to adjourn the public session meeting. Patterson 2nd. Roll Call: Simmler Aye, Galasso Aye, Haney Aye, Patterson Aye, Burke Aye. Motion passed.
NEXT MEETING – February 9th, 2021, 8:30am
*Times listed are intended merely for guidance.
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