Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: November 12, 2019
Falmouth Town Hall
Selectmens Meeting Room, 59 Town Hall Sq. Falmouth, MA 02540
PRESENT
Christopher Land (C), Paul Burke (T), Michael Galasso, Patti Haney
ABSENT
Christopher Simmler (Ck), Susan Moran (VC)
8:39 am
CALL TO ORDER
Having established a quorum, the Chair called the meeting to order.
8:39 am PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
8:39 am ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR ALL, Christin Marshall, Executive Director: Cape Cod https://eforall.org/
Christin Marshall provided a brief overview of the E for All and its mission of economic development through entrepreneurship. She described their Pitch Contest and the Accelerator Programs, citing that 83% of the people who complete their Accelerator Program are still in business. Christin said they would like to promote more Falmouth participation, and this typically will occur when a community hosts a Pitch Contest. Ms. Marshall requested $5,000 from the Board to host a Pitch Contest in Falmouth: $2,750 will be for prize money for the winning contestants; the remainder is for expense for the venue, food, marketing and staff time. Ms. Marshall is considering a January 14th, 2020 date. The challenges are recruitment time: finding 8 viable entrepreneurs and matching them with 3 mentors. Chris Land, Chairman stated that the decision to fund this project will be taken under consideration at the December Board Meeting.
8:48 am BOARD MEMBER INTERVIEW
Thomas Feronti
Is the Director of Planning and Construction for the Mashpee Commons; his background is in construction management.
Thomas has lived in Falmouth for 16 years; his wife was born in Falmouth.
Feronti has a BS in Elementary Education from the University of VT, and a Masters Degree in Construction Management from the University of FL.
When asked what challenges are facing the EDIC and Falmouth in the coming years, Feronti responded – Housing; noting that the CCC has done many studies on this subject for Cape Cod. There is a significant need for housing for full time residents who need to live and work on the Cape. Another primary issue is Infrastructure, citing the recent storms and how an old infrastructure can impact businesses with electricity and internet outages for days at a time.
Galasso asked Feronti what role he thinks the EDIC should play in resolving some of the issues with infrastructure. Feronti stated that the EDIC should continue to work with other boards and committees within the Town to spur additional projects, including housing development. He stated the paradigm has shifted; instead of the people following the jobs, now the jobs are following the people. He believes that if Falmouth can development more housing, which will bring more people to live in Falmouth, then more businesses will want to locate here; businesses with more earning potential for those employees.
Broderick inquired what was it about the work the EDIC Board does that prompted an interest for him to join the Board. Feronti responded it was the whole concept of economic development; to make Falmouth more sustainable for the long term; to figure out how to grow the town economically for the younger generations to want to live and work in Falmouth successfully.
Feronti advised he has regularly worked with the Cape Cod Commission, with his work with Mashpee Commons.
9:00 am COMMITTEE REPORTS
TECH PARK
Patti Haney, Paul Burke, Mike DiGiano
DiGiano recommended that based on the past conversation at the October EDIC Board Meeting, that the Board pull the article for petition for the zoning change on the lot at 64 Technology Park and refile it next month once the Board has had more time to work on the concerns noted at the last public hearing on this subject.
Galasso inquired about the economics and timing of the project. DiGiano advised it would be represented at the spring Town Meeting in April. It will push the project out for 4-5 months. The potential leasee will need to complete an economic assessment and analysis, and if this is positive, then they will need to begin the process for an interconnection permit.
Jim Fox advised the Board that the abutters should have been communicated with prior to submitting the article to Town Meeting. A vote at Town Meeting was postponed due to an abutter’s concerns about the ground solar project. Fox suggests that the project is discussed with all the abutters and the issues resolved prior to refiling a petition at the spring Town Meeting. DiGiano stated that an abutter at Town Meeting wanted a different zoning approach; one that would allow LIC zoning for all the current LIB zoning in the Tech Park vs. just the EDIC lot. As well, there was a group that opposed the removal of the trees on the lot site. Fox and DiGiano will reach out to the abutters to discuss their project concerns.
FALMOUTH STATION
Chris Simmler, Lynne Broderick
Broderick displayed some before and after pictures of the tree removal and pruning work done along the parking lot parameters. Broderick gave a public thank you to Grant Tree Service for the exceptional work done on the project. A total of 19 trees were removed and the pruning of all large overhanging branches were done along the entire parking lot parameter.
Broderick advised the foyer project is completed. The door push bars were replaced allowing for the front door to remain open, while the inside door is locked and alarmed. This will allow for Peter Pan patrons to shelter indoors during the inclement weather while waiting for their rides.
Jim Fox thanked the Board for the funding for the Holiday Stroll event. He has teamed up with Patti Cosgrove with the Falmouth Village Association to work on the event. The Falmouth H.S. acapella group was retained to sing at the Falmouth Station, starting at 4:30pm on December 7th. The Falmouth Station will be the kickoff of the Stroll. Fox requested that the EDIC Board attend the event.
Fox, DiGiano and Broderick will decorate the Station for the holidays within the next few weeks.
Broderick advised that both interior and exterior painting will need to be done this spring.
Fox suggested that the Café owner obtain a liquor license; he thinks it will promote usage of the Station for events and food service.
Haney inquired about the $2 Station Fee that is charged on every pus ticket purchased. Broderick to inquire with Peter Pan Bus and advise.
LANDFILL SOLAR DEVELOPMENT: PHASE 2
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano advised the EDIC was advised by Town Counsel they needed to rebid the Solar Phase 2. He sent to the Town Mgr. and Town Counsel an outline of the next steps. The Town must determine if they need to go through the process to redeclare the land area designation for the site. The immediate next step is to update the LOI for the deal points for Phase 2. DiGiano to update the LOI and have it reviewed by the EDIC attorney within the next two weeks. The goal is to publish an RFP within the next 30-60 days, and have a contractor selected by Q2 2020.
FINANCE
Paul Burke
Burke mentioned the upcoming EDIC budget review for December, noting the escalating pattern of expense being greater than revenues. Discussion ensued about the forthcoming decrease in solar land lease payments to the EDIC due to a large portion of the revenue to be redirected to the Town. Galasso advised that the Town previously stated this could be renegotiated if/when the EDIC presents to the Town a business plan for the future of the EDIC. Galasso noted the EDIC should obtain an accurate and specific accounting of how much the Town is saving from the Solar project; reiterating that the Town did not invest any funds into the Solar Project.
Burke questioned the possibility of obtaining a refund of the $50K Community Network Study, if/when the project is approved and implemented. Galasso advised that historically any EDIC seed money for past projects, like the Solar Project, has been refunded to the EDIC.
Burke presented the November 12th, 2019 financial statement and the warrant in the amount of $30,042.19, noting the highlighted items as being expense for the Falmouth Station – which is almost half of all expense for the month.
MOTION: Haney made a motion to approve the November 12th, 2019 warrant in the amount of $30,042.19. Galasso 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
OPEN CAPE / MAIN STREET HIGH SPEED INTERNET PROJECT
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano advised that Open Cape has received 42 business contracts for free installation. There are 18 contracts still available for free installation. They are in the middle of developing the infrastructure. Open Cape thinks once installation begins, other businesses will be motivated to signed up.
Broderick inquired if the Falmouth Station can be considered as one of the free Installs, as the fiber optic is already on Depot Avenue. DiGiano to speak with Open Cape about this.
DiGiano reminded the Board of the $10 Fee which will initially fund a “revolving account” to fund future free installation fees for additional businesses. Galasso noted that once this program has ended, it will become a revenue source for the EDIC.
MIXED USE / CO-WORKING SPACE STUDY UPDATE
Mike DiGiano
Galasso advised the sub-committed selected a study proposal from Workbar.Broderick advised the board that motions made regarding this subject in the October 8th Executive Session meeting needed to be ratified in today’s public meeting.
MOTION: Haney made a motion to authorize Chris Simmler/ Michael DiGiano to proceed with contract negotiations on behalf of Falmouth EDIC with Workbar; the goal is to obtain the study budget of $25K, not to exceed $30K, without affecting the quality of the deliverables required of the study. Final contract to be brought back to the FEDIC Board. Galasso 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to amend the prior motion to add executing the contract upon successfully reaching the desired study content and budgeted price within a $5K variance. Haney 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
COMMUNITY BASED FIBER OPTIC STUDY UPDATE
Mike DiGiano
Broderick advised that the motion made regarding this subject in the October 8th Executive Session meeting needed to be ratified in this open meeting.
MOTION: Haney made a motion to authorize Chris Simmler/ Michael DiGiano to proceed with contract negotiations and execution on behalf of Falmouth EDIC with CCG; the goal is to obtain the study budget of $50K, or not to exceed an additional 5% of the budget, while maintaining the required deliverables of the study. Final contract to be brought back to the FEDIC Board. Galasso 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to authorize the Chair to execute the contract with CCG for the Community Fiber Optic Network Study. Haney 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
DiGiano advised of the need to add $1,500 for fees and travel expenses for the CCG President to attend and present at the study kickoff meeting on December 12th, 2019.
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to amend the prior motion, to add an additional $1,500 plus travel expenses to the contract, and to allow the Chair to execute said contract to accommodate the fees and travel expenses for the Community Fiber Optic Study kickoff meeting. Haney 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
9:41 am
EDIC ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Broderick advised that the Vice Chair requested she research accounting services with local accounting firms to compare pricing with the current EDIC firm. Broderick reported that both firms offered lower pricing. The details of the proposals will be shared at the next board meeting.
MOTION: Haney made a motion to approve the October 8th, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes. Galasso 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
MOTION: Haney made a motion to approve the October 8th, 2019 Executive Session Board Meeting Minutes. Galasso 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
9:43 am FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS / GUEST SPEAKERS
Mike Faloon, Neighborly
9:44 am
ADJOURNMENT AND MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Galasso 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
NEXT MEETING
December 10, 2019, 8:30 am, Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Falmouth Town Hall
Our Projects
Falmouth Station Restoration
Rehabilitation of the Historic Falmouth Station located at 59 Depot Avenue in Falmouth.
Read More & View All Projects >
Doing Business in Falmouth
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
Employs approximately 1,200 people, including more than 500 scientists, engineers, ship's crew and technicians.
View Top Employers in Falmouth >