Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: June 14, 2022
Falmouth Town Hall, 59 Town Hall Square, Falmouth, MA 02540
Select Board Meeting Room
PRESENT
Christopher Land (C) (remote), Thomas Feronti (VC), Michael, Galasso, Samuel Patterson, Adrian Merryman and Mark Lowenstein (Ck).
ABSENT
Kevin Holmes (T)
8:32 am* CALL TO ORDER
A quorum was established. The Vice Chair called the meeting to order.
8:32 PUBLIC COMMENT
None
8:33 APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES
MOTION: Patterson made a motion to approve the May 10, 2022 Public Session Board Meeting Minutes. Merryman 2nd the motion. Galasso abstained. All others in favor. Motion approved.
MOTION: Lowenstein made a motion to approve but not release the May 10, 2022 Executive Session Board Meeting Minutes. Patterson 2nd the motion. Galasso abstained. All others in favor. Motion approved.
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to release the Executive Session meeting minutes of Nov. 14, 2017, July 17, 2018, Sept. 10, 2019, Apr. 14, 2020 and July 31, 2020. Patterson 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
MOTION: Feronti made a motion to approve but not release the April 12, 2022 and March 8, 2022 Executive Session Board Meeting Minutes. Galasso 2nd the motion. Merryman abstained. All others in favor. Motion approved.
8:42 FINANCE
Lynne Broderick
Broderick referred to the financial reports as of May 31, 2022. The balance sheet remains similar to past reports.
Asset and Income categories are both higher by about $30k due to Solar 2 payments arriving a little after the financial close of the May.
Net Income is actually a positive $6K vs. the negative $23K. This is good news as typically net income is in the red.
Broderick mentioned that the warrant was unusually high due to legal expense and to solar rent payments to the Town of Falmouth.
Patterson inquired about long term financial sustainability. Lingafelter noted the hope for sale of the Tech Park lot to add some revenue this year or next year.
MOTION: Patterson made a motion to approve the warrant in the amount of $64,901.04. Lowenstein 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
8:48 PRIORITY PROGRAM UPDATES
Falmouth Station Update
Wayne Lingafelter
Paul Dreyer, Town Meeting Member - Precinct 2. Mr. Dreyer recommended that a Citizen’s Advisory Committee be formed for the Falmouth Station. As well, Mr. Dreyer mentioned that the new artwork displays looked very nice in the Station, noting there are about 20 paintings on 3 walls. The Historical Section was moved from the South wall to the Northwest corner and this Mr. Dreyer believes minimizes the historical importance of the Station. Mr. Dreyer also mentioned the History of Falmouth Station poster that he wrote, was moved from the Foyer area into the Northwest corner inside the building and it is difficult to view.
Mr. Dreyer advised that the Falmouth Select Board signed a Proclamation that was read acknowledging July 18, 2022 as the 150th anniversary of the Falmouth Station – an important event. He displayed a copy of this proclamation. Mr. Dreyer requested the EDIC hold a simple event to recognize this anniversary.
Mr. Dreyer noted the Falmouth Station is listed in the MA Historical Commission inventory and is part of the tour of Falmouth Historical Society – Falmouth Museums on the Green.
Galasso said he supports having an anniversary event and inquired about the Friends of Falmouth Station committee. Broderick advised that the F of FS disbanded and is non-operational.
Lingafelter said he and Broderick would present some ideas to the Station sub-committee to memorialize the anniversary, perhaps something that ranges over a period of time and not just on July 18th.
Lingafelter noted that the artwork for the Station was divided into sections to accommodate the bus patrons, Grill patrons and the historical acknowledgement. The Falmouth Art Center artwork is clustered near where the Station Grill patrons are seated. The area where bus patrons typically locate themselves was cleaned up and artwork reduced to accommodate for more bus and Station management related information. The historical section was moved into a larger area to hold more and better organize the historical information and artwork. Before any changes take place, Lingafelter requests that the Board go to the Station to view the current arrangements.
The Board discussed a Citizen’s Advisory Committee and decided to table the subject until there exists a need before authorizing a group that will represent the interests of the Station.
Lingafelter reported he submitted the One-Stop grant application on June 3rd. The request was for $74k in State MassDev funds for a feasibility study consisting of 3-4 individual components.
Galasso mentioned numerous comments he receives regarding the need for affordable housing in Falmouth; citing the demand is great. Galasso said he would like to move forward with the project work on the development of affordable housing at the Falmouth Station property. Feronti said her preferred to wait until funding is obtained. Galasso mentioned there are several other sources for predevelopment funding for affordable housing that he is aware of that the EDIC could apply for. The Board agreed that Lingafelter will prepare a list of tasks/projects/budgets and Galasso will advise/identify other grant opportunities for the EDIC to apply for. Galasso said it will be important that all future steps will include the community and neighborhood to obtain their input.
Revisions to the PP and P&B bus schedules were negotiated by Lingafelter to reduce the number of times there were bus overlaps and achieve some staggering in bus arrivals/departures.
The next major maintenance project is the Station parking lot repair, resealing and relining. Lingafelter is hopeful this will be done before the July anniversary event.
Patterson inquired about adding charging stations to the Station. Feronti advised the project was tabled for the time being.
CDBG Community Development Block Grant Update
Lynne Broderick
Broderick spoke through a PPT presentation with CDBG final results, including EDIC staff hours, demographics and specific grant awards per awardee.
Patterson requested that the presentation be shared with the Select Board via email and to present in person at one of their upcoming meetings.
The Board requested the presentation be added to the EDIC and Chamber of Commerce websites.
9:34 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Feronti made a motion to ADJOURN and move into EXECUTIVE SESSION, not to Return to Public Session, to discuss a personnel related matter as discussing in a public session could cause harm to an employee’s rights and reputations. Patterson 2nd the motion. Roll Call: Lowenstein Aye, Patterson Aye, Feronti Aye, Galasso Aye, Merryman Aye, Land Aye. Motion approved.
NEXT MEETING – July 12th, 2022, 8:30am
*Times listed are intended merely for guidance.
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