Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: September 13, 2022
Falmouth Town Hall, 59 Town Hall Square, Falmouth, MA 02540
Select Board Meeting Room
PRESENT
Christopher Land (C), Thomas Feronti (VC), Kevin Holmes (T), Mark Lowenstein (Ck), Michael, Galasso, Samuel Patterson, Adrian Merryman
8:31 am* CALL TO ORDER
A quorum was established. The Vice Chair called the meeting to order.
8:30 PUBLIC COMMENT
None
8:31 MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY COLLABORATIVE: John Miller, Executive Director
Mr. Miller spoke through a PPT presentation regarding the Bourne Tidal Test Site, updating on the project upgrade to date and the road blocks encountered this summer.
The Falmouth EDIC board reiterated its support for the project and offered suggestions on other measures and supporters to contact who may be able to assist.
Lingafelter reminded the board that due to the expired/cancelled funding by MTC/Seaport Counsel to MRECo, another result will be $4k deficient in the budgeted income for EDIC administrative fees for this project.
9:00 APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES
MOTION: Lowenstein made a motion to approve the July 12, 2022 Public Session Board Meeting Minutes. Holmes 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
MOTION: Galasso made a motion to approve but not release the July 12, 2022 Executive Session Board Meeting Minutes. Patterson 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
9:02 FINANCE
Kevin Holmes
MOTION: Holmes made a motion to Ratify the Verbal Approval of the Aug. 9th warrant in the amount of $20,160.42. Lowenstein 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
Holmes referred to the August financial reports. The Balance sheet is operating at a break even, a static nature. The Income statement shows a time delay in receipt of the solar payments, this is the primary variance that will correct itself.
The EDIC Net Income has a positive YTD budget variance due to lower than budgeted expenses. Over the balance of the year, expenses will be incurred later than budgeted while certain budget income will not be realized. This combination is projected to result in negative Net Income and a negative variance to budget.
Holmes reviewed the September warrant, noting it was higher than usual due to Solar 1 & 2 rent payments to the Town of Falmouth. No expenses were out of the ordinary.
MOTION: Holmes made a motion to approve the September warrant in the amount of $49,028.17. Patterson 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion approved.
Broderick advised that Roselli & Clark has been working on the 2021 EDIC audit. It should be wrapped up before the end of the year, after a series of reviews.
8:41 PRIORITY PROGRAM UPDATES
Falmouth Station Update
Wayne Lingafelter
Lingafelter advised that there have been some issues with the AC units. One unit was inoperable for a couple weeks in August. Parts were ordered for the unit and it has since been repaired. The Station Grill closed for 2 days citing it was too warm to operate when the AC was broken.
Feronti suggested supplementing the AC units; contacting Cape Light Compact for suggestions on upgrading. Patterson recommended contacting MassSave for rebate information as well as Paul Raymer who is an HVAC business owner and would be a helpful resource.
Lingafelter reported that he working on the CPC funded masonry project. He has spoken with two contractors and an architectural firm to further define and detail the project. There are differing opinions by the contractors on how to resolve the water infiltration issue at the Station. This will be reported at a future meeting. There will be a revision to the SOW which the CPC will need to approve and which could result in as much as a 30% increase in the project’s cost. This project preparation is in progress and ongoing. Due to the seasonal aspect to the work, we are targeting it to occur in the spring of 2023.
Galasso inquired about potential for additional financing, suggesting MassDOT. Patterson mentioned contacting the Mass Cultural Council.
There was no new update on the EDIC’s Mass Development grant application. The date for grant funding decision was pushed out to Nov./Dec. 2022.
Lingafelter participated in the Barnstable County’s sponsored ARPA Bidders video conference session. This session focused on particular projects: broadband, water & sewer Infrastructure and assisting Covid-19 impacted entities. ARPA is currently accepting Letters of Interest for applications for less than $500k. Lingafelter is inquiring if housing related projects are an acceptable use, for the EDIC planning for the workforce housing project at the Falmouth Station. The Letter of Interest deadline is Sept. 30th, 2022. The full application is due by the end of November 2022 with a decision made within approximately a month. Another round of funding for Large Project House Bidding which is for projects just related to housing larger than $500k. Feronti inquired if funding could be applied for relating to the water & sewer engineering concerning the Falmouth Station property. Lingafelter to research further.
Galasso inquired how close the sewer system is to the Falmouth Station. Patterson said he believes it is close, but uncertain of specifics. Feronti suggested researching if there is a logical path to connecting to the existing water & sewer infrastructure. Galasso mentioned using Low Income Tax Credits as a way to fund for some upgrading offsite improvements.
Lingafelter reported the Station Grill is in default of their lease agreement due to non-payment of the Q2 CAM expense rent. In August a second request notice for payment was sent; as of this date remittance has still not been received, nor has the tenant communicated to the EDIC regarding the matter. Additionally, the Station Grill open hours of operation per the lease are not being adhered to. In July, a notice reminding the tenant of this term of the lease was sent however, little if any improvement was recognized and the tenant did not respond/communicate any rational for reduced hours of operation. During the 3 months of summer, the Station Grill was open as noted per lease terms only approximately 37% of the time. These early closures impact service to bus patrons.
The license agreement with Plymouth & Brockton was extended for a period of 1 year.
Falmouth Technology Park: Lot 21 Update
Wayne Lingafelter
Lingafelter continues to work with Holmes & McGrath to refine the plan associated with the revised sub-division for submission to the Planning Commission. The sub-committee has received and reviewed the process drawings. The Water Superintendent reviewed the plan and made a few minor comments. A meeting is planned with Jed Cornack, Town of Falmouth Planning Director to review and discuss the plan. A final revised sub-division plan should be ready and submitted to the Town by the end of the year.
9:34 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Wayne Lingafelter
Lingafelter reported his reprojection of the Falmouth EDIC 2022 budget. The Falmouth Station is running at a break-even position year to date. The EDIC budget the actual results for Net Income at year end is projected to be between a negative $25k and negative $32k. The sale of the Falmouth Tech Park lot will not occur this year which will have the major impact on the budgeted net income.
There were 2 successful Falmouth Station anniversary events at the Station. Celebratory banners were posted and bakery goods giveaways were provided.
The new cleaning service provider Mayflower Cleaning is demonstrating an enhanced cleaning service including providing floor machine cleaned service. The transition has gone well, however, as anticipated, it is more expensive. The SOW will be reduced in the fall to reduce this cost.
Other activities at the Station included painting the interior of the building, installing a new artwork system, repairing AC units, painting over the graffiti on the train ramp, painting the signage on Depot Avenue, replacing the wood Falmouth sign that was damaged and installed 2 new security cameras.
The Bus Line providers, both reported a successful summer season, though ridership has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. They are still recovering but are encouraged by the trend.
Lingafelter advised that the State has selected the CDBG grant program for an audit. Broderick will facilitate this process along with Michael Shoemaker from Falmouth Town Hall.
The Board discussed a fall EDIC board retreat; deciding upon a budgeting only retreat on Friday, November 11th.
9:50 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Feronti made a motion to ADJOURN and move into EXECUTIVE SESSION, not to Return to Public Session, to discuss a lease matter and employee related issues as discussing in a public session would be detrimental to the EDIC’s negotiation position and could cause harm to an individual’s rights and reputations. Patterson 2nd. Roll Call: Holmes Aye, Patterson Aye, Land Aye, Feronti Aye, Galasso Aye, Lowenstein Aye.
NEXT MEETING – October 11th, 2022, 8:30am
*Times listed are intended merely for guidance.
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