Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: March 14, 2023
Falmouth Town Hall, 59 Town Hall Square, Falmouth, MA 02540
Select Board Meeting Room
PRESENT
Kevin Holmes (T), Mark Lowenstein (CK), Michael, Galasso and Samuel Patterson
ABSENT
Christopher Land (C), Thomas Feronti (VC), Adrian Merryman
8:30 am* CALL TO ORDER
A quorum was established. The Treasurer called the meeting to order.
8:30 PUBLIC COMMENT
John Marcellino – Tenant, Falmouth Station, Station Grill Café
Mr. Marcellino mentioned that the Sunday Morning Painters do not pay anything to display their artwork at the Falmouth Station. As well, he noted that the Plymouth Brockton Bus Co. does not pay anything for the use of the Falmouth Station facilities. Mr. Marcellino questioned why they have this deal and he does not have the same good deal.
Mr. Marcellino questioned why the EDIC was not utilizing the TV monitors for paid advertisement to assist with the Station operating expense.
Mr. Marcellino requested that the EDIC find an independent person look into these issues of unfairness in the building.
Mr. Marcellino brought up the EDIC past due rent invoice – stating it as gouging. He requested that the EDIC have an independent person look at the invoice.
Mr. Marcellino mentioned cleaning invoices, comparing Mrs. Marcellino’s past invoice amounts to the new contractor’s invoices for cleaning service at the Falmouth Station.
Mr. Marcellino stated he felt a lack of appreciation and compensation for their extra efforts at the Falmouth Station.
Kurt Achin – Falmouth Enterprise Reporter
Mr. Achin introduced himself, advising that the Falmouth EDIC was now within his reporting territory.
8:39 NEW BOARD MEMBER INTERVIEW: Colin Reed
Mr. Reed advised he is a Falmouth resident; having moved to Falmouth in 2016 from Washington DC. He is originally from VT and went to school in Boston.
Mr. Reed currently serves on the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and is looking to expand his work within the community.
He is very interested in the development aspects of the EDIC; particularly regarding housing as he believes this to be a very important issue both personally and at his workplace WHOI.
Mr. Reed is Senior Advisor to the WHOI President & Director, and Deputy Secretary of the Corporation.
Mr. Reed stated he believes the EDIC is unique body in how it can be leveraged, which results in being able to do things other public committees cannot.
He hopes to be able to learn and contribute in Falmouth.
Mr. Reed described the housing work he’s contributed to at WHOI for their students and workforce. They set up a housing guidance group to advise their population, as well as completing a housing assessment to find out where the housing needs are changing. As well, WHOI is developing a Strategic Facilities assessment looking at how WHOI has historically used their space and how to better utilize it in the future. Mr. Reed stated resilience is key to retain their workforce.
The board discussed Mr. Reed’s candidacy and merits.
The board discussed the open board positions and its ongoing preference and efforts to recruit new board members that would provide diversity on the board.
MOTION: Lowenstein made a motion that the EDIC Board recommend to the Falmouth Select Board Colin Reed as a candidate for a position on the EDIC Board of Directors. Patterson 2nd. All in favor. Motion approved.
9:05 APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES
MOTION: Holmes made a motion to approve the February 14, 2023 Public Session Board Meeting Minutes. Lowenstein 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
MOTION: Holmes made a motion to approve and not release the February 14, 2023 Executive Session Board Meeting Minutes. Patterson 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
9:07 FINANCE
Kevin Holmes
Holmes referred to the February 2023 financial reports. The balance sheet remains constant; noting the new certificate of deposit investment. Assets remain primarily in cash and liabilities are fairly low.
The Other Current Assets: AR-CAM Fees of $6,006 are related to past due Station rent from J. Marcellino. The board agreed it should remain an asset for the time being.
Expense management is going well; cleaning service hours/fees were decreased at the Station due to the reduced open hours and landscaping fees are under budget due to the mild winter.
Lingafelter reported that Plymouth & Brockton does pay rent, under their license agreement. It is not a lease as their agreement does not designate any exclusive interior space within the Station facility for their use.
Noting recent banking security news, Holmes address the EDIC’s position. The FDIC insurance limit is $250K, therefore the EDIC’s only exposure is about $27K. CC5’s customer base with balances greater than $250K is approximately 22%, therefore CC5 has less exposure than other banks with a higher ratio. CC5 is a diversified bank, having about 2+ Billion in availability, resulting with 2x the coverage to absorb any banking crisis events. CC5 has been in existence for 168 years, predating the Civil War and he is confident they will continue to weather any financial downturns.
Holmes reported that the Certificate of Deposit investment interest rates may not be reported monthly, but rather quarterly.
Broderick reported that she contacted 3 references for Andersen & Souza CPA as the Board requested; all were excellent. The Board requested that Andersen & Souza commit to holding their hourly price for at least 1 year.
MOTION: Holmes made a motion to approve the March 14th, 2023 warrant in the amount of $44,464.30. Patterson 2nd. All in favor. Motion approved.
9:29 Board of Directors Related Business
Lingafelter reiterated his focused attempt to establish a more diverse Board of Directors.
Lingafelter reported that per the EDIC Bylaws, the EDIC is expected to replace C. Land (Chair) even on an interim basis. Feronti as Vice-Chair is currently serving in this role, but once the next board member is approved by the Select Board, a formal vote of appointment of Feronti to Chair will need to be completed. When a full board is seated in July, reelection of all Board Officers will occur.
Galasso requested that Lingafelter appear before the Select Board to announce the EDIC Board openings, and that the EDIC is actively recruiting people of diversity. Discussion ensued about why a diverse selection of people do not apply for EDIC Board openings.
9:31 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Wayne Lingafelter
Falmouth Station Update
Lingafelter reported that the Station Grill remains in default of their lease agreement for non-payment of operating expenses in the amount of approximately $6K. In addition, as of today the March base rent of $1,250 has not been paid.
In February, the Station Grill opened only half of the prescribed number of days per week as noted within the lease agreement. Unfortunately, this has resulted with the bus patrons having reduced access to the Falmouth Station facility.
This week, Foley & Foley will send a supplemental filing to the MCAD position statement to the State and request a first hearing date.
Lingafelter advised that an extension request was sent to CPC for the Masonry Restoration Project to extend funding availability until March 2024. Lingafelter continues to work on updating the SOW for this project. Lingafelter toured the property with Gale Associates, a consulting engineer. Another meeting will be held next week with Gale Assoc. and Keenan & Kenny Architects.
The Jill Neubauer workforce housing workshop meeting will be held next Tuesday, March 21st at the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. The agenda will focus on mission, vision, objective and desired outcomes. Lingafelter will review potential funding sources for the project. Lingafelter to investigate possible availability at the Falmouth Public Library to allow for greater number of people.
Lingafelter spoke with the Community Economic Development Assist. Corp, (CEDAC) to learn about and inquire about their program funding.
Lingafelter reported that he is not encouraged that the Station workforce housing project will be a good fit for ARPA funding; citing there is limited funding available which is primarily for shovel-ready or projects already under construction.
Falmouth Technology Park – Lot 21
Lingafelter reported that Atty. Moynihan continues work on the civil engineering documents. Issues regarding the sub-division approvals have arisen. Atty. Moynihan will research and advise and then the Falmouth Planning Board approval process will commence.
It remains uncertain if the revision to the Tech Park lot sub-division will require Town Meeting approval. Town Counsel is involved and continues to consider.
9:55 545 MAIN STREET SUPPORT LETTER
A support letter for the 545 Main St. project drafted by M. Galasso was discussed. Holmes made a recommendation to support this project by sending this letter. The board agreed.
9:56 WEBSITE REVIEW/ UPDATE
Lynne Broderick
Broderick reported that the EDIC website review is underway. The first step is to update incorrect information and ensure appropriate links are working. Second step is to add new content and images - 90% completed. After Lingafelter reviews and the EDIC Board provides feedback, a consultation with C. McLeod Design will be scheduled to review content and design for further website development. Broderick requested the Board to review the EDIC website and provide their thoughts on what they would like see added or changed.
10:00 BOARD MEMBER CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRAINING
Lynne Broderick
Broderick advised the Board of the required every 2-year Conflict of Interest Law online training, detailing sign-in & password information and the 30-day window to complete.
10:04 NEW BUSINESS, AGENDA ITEMS, GUEST SPEAKERS
Robert Mascali – Cape Cod Commission Representative (postponed to April Meeting)
10:05 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Holmes made a motion to ADJOURN the Public Session meeting. Lowenstein 2nd. All in favor. Motion approved.
NEXT MEETING – March 21, 2023, 8:30am
*Times listed are intended merely for guidance.
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