Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: March 8, 2022
Falmouth Town Hall, 59 Town Hall Square, Falmouth, MA 02540
Select Board Meeting Room
PRESENT
Christopher Land (C), Thomas Feronti (CK), Kevin Holmes (T), Michael Galasso, Samuel Patterson (remote) and Mark Lowenstein.
ABSENT
Adrian Merryman
8:30 am* CALL TO ORDER
A quorum was established. The Chair called the meeting to order.
8:30 WELCOME TO NEW BOARD MEMBERS
8:31 PUBLIC COMMENT
None
8:32 APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to approve the February 8, 2022 Public Session Board Meeting Minutes. Holmes 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
8:33 EDIC ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Lingafelter advised that the EDIC Vice-Chair position was unfilled at this time. Now that the Board has a full complement of members, he requested that the board think about it and discuss for a future appointment. This is will be added to next month’s board meeting agenda.
Broderick advised that it was time to review older Executive Session board meeting minutes for release. She will submit copies of the recommended meetings for board review in advance.
Lingafelter asked for board thoughts on an upcoming Retreat. Land suggested the month of May and to outline the goals to accomplish – 3 items. Galasso suggested a review of last retreat’s outcomes.
8:38 FINANCE
Kevin Holmes
Holmes advised the final December 2021 was provided. There was not much of a variance from what was expected as noted in the prior month’s reporting. The year ended $26K ahead of budget, but still resulted with a net profit of - $42,927.
Galasso reminded the board he still has the open question of adding the Falmouth Station’s ground lease as an asset on the financial reports. Holmes said he is continuing discussion with the EDIC Accountant. Broderick distributed the Government Accounting Standards document that George Malloy provided for referral regarding this matter. Galasso inquired if the Auditors have seen the Falmouth Station ground lease. If not, they should review it. Wayne suggested a meeting to discuss with the Accountant and Galasso.
MOTION: Holmes made a motion to approve the December 2021 financial statements. Galasso 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
Holmes referred to the financial reports as of February 28, 2022. Checking account balances continue to be strong, and very few liabilities. The P & L there were a few minor items not recorded, a timing issue that will be resolved next month. Expenses are running ahead of budget, particularly in payroll due to a timing issue and when checks are cut. The EDIC is ahead of net income budget as of Jan 31st by $26K.
MOTION: Holmes made a motion to approve the February 28, 2022 financial reports. Galasso 2nd. All in favor. Motion approved.
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to approve the warrant in the amount of $13,364.03. Patterson 2nd the motion. Roll Call: Patterson Aye, Feronti Aye, Galasso Aye, Holmes Aye, Land Aye. Motion approved.
Holmes referred to the March 8th warrant, noting it was high which is directly related to the Solar 1 & 2 lease payments to the Town of Falmouth.
Galasso requested that the landscaping at the Falmouth Station be rebid, to attempt to keep the business in Falmouth.
MOTION: Feronti made a motion to approve the warrant in the amount of $45,003.47. Galasso 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
8:59 PRIORITY PROGRAM UPDATES
Senator Moran’s Request – 2023 State Budget Feedback
Lingafelter advised that the Senator’s office requested feedback on any items/projects that the EDIC might request for State budgeting. Lingafelter requested board thoughts on the matter. The due date for feedback is March 18th.
Galasso said he thought the most urgent issue in Falmouth is for affordable housing and requested the EDIC ask for $500K for continue planning for affordable housing or short-term housing funding for seasonal workers.
Galasso also mentioned if there exists a need for additional funds to support small businesses in Falmouth i.e. small business loan or grant.
CDBG Community Development Block Grant Update
Lynne Broderick
Broderick advised she is still in the process of collecting awardee invoices/receipts for the expenditure of these funds as required by the grant program agreement. She is more than halfway complete.
Galasso asked if there was a press release citing all those who received the CDBG grant funds. Broderick mentioned a press release article that was published; she will redistribute to the board.
OpenCape Main Street Gigabit Project
Lynne Broderick
Lingafelter reported there will be a press conference March 16th at the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce, to speak to the 30% reduction in monthly fees for their internet service. Several people will be speaking, with the goal of promoting an awareness and better understanding the program within the community.
Galasso reminded the board that the EDIC guaranteed the loan from MassDev for OpenCape to be able to develop the Falmouth program.
Falmouth Station Update
Wayne Lingafelter
Lingafelter reported he drafted an Expression of Interest for the MA Community One-Stop funding for additional Falmouth Station master planning. He described the pre-development component detail of the drafted request. The Board agreed with the draft content.
Broderick advised that the RFQ was updated for the Falmouth Station cleaning service. An ad will be placed in the Falmouth Enterprise. As well, she reached out some local cleaning services and there appears to be some interest in quoting. Lingafelter mentioned that Falmouth businesses will be given special consideration, and all quoters will be required to attend an on-site view to review the SOW. Quotes will be due by April 1st., and it is hoped to have a recommendation for the board to approve at the April EDIC Board meeting.
Galasso reminded the Board that the Clerk needed to be involved in the review/selection process.
Broderick reported that she is in the process of obtaining three (3) additional quotes for the Falmouth Station commercial insurance. All quotes should be received by next month.
Lingafelter advised of the on-going community outreach regarding the Falmouth Station master planning. He is proactively reaching out as well as responding to inquiries. He has conversed with a local neighborhood group, the Elks, the Falmouth Planning Board, the MassDOT and 8-10 public attendants at the community meeting that submitted questions that were not specifically answered during the meeting. Lingafelter noted that during the community meeting, he attempted to group some similar questions into categories for response, to enable the meeting to commence in a timely manner and within the meeting time allotted.
Feronti suggested taking all the questions asked and create an FAQ to be posted on the Falmouth EDIC website.
Lingafelter advised that some inaccurate and incomplete information about the Station master planning was cited during Public Comment at the Select Board meeting in March. Lingafelter requested permission to appear during Public Comment at the next Select Board meeting to offer some clarification on this matter. Patterson said he thought this was a good idea to correct the misinformation.
Galasso stated there is a despite need for EV Charging Stations in Falmouth. He would the EDIC to continue to work on this. Lingafelter said it would be addressed at a future meeting.
Technology Park Lot 21 Update
Wayne Lingafelter
Lingafelter reported that he met with new ownership/ engineers at Holmes & McGrath regarding Lot 21. They have determined a new approach, and would like to expend $3K to identify thru engineering an actual building envelope and use that plan as a basis to market the site. The Board approved this plan of action.
EDIC Bylaws Review
Christopher Land, Thomas Feronti, Lynne Broderick
Land reported the sub-committee met and the review process is moving forward.
9:31 New Business, Agenda Items or Guest Speakers
None
9:32 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Land made a motion to adjourn and move into executive session, not to return to Public Session to discuss a personnel matter as discussing in a public session could cause harm to an employee’s rights and reputation. Feronti 2nd. Roll Call: Lowenstein Aye, Holmes Aye, Land Aye, Galasso Aye, Feronti Aye, Patterson Aye. Motion approved.
NEXT MEETING – April 12th, 2022, 8:30am
*Times listed are intended merely for guidance.
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