Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: September 14, 2021
Falmouth Town Hall, 59 Town Hall Sq., Falmouth, MA 02540, Select Board Meeting Room
PRESENT
Christopher Simmler (VC), Thomas Feronti (CK), Michael Galasso, Kevin Holmes
ABSENT
Christopher Land (C), Samuel Patterson
8:30 am* CALL TO ORDER
A quorum was established. The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order.
8:30 GUEST SPEAKERS
Postponed until the October board meeting.
8:30 PUBLIC COMMENT
Bill Martin - Spoke in support of the Station Grill. Mr. Martin noted he was an elected official in his town, chairman of the Chelmsford Water District, citing that he thinks that the Falmouth Station and Station Grill is a gateway into Falmouth and that the Station Grill contributes to the good feeling received by those who enter the establishment.
Charlene D’Errico - Spoke in support of The Station Grill. Ms. D’Errico agreed with Mr. Martin’s comments and spoke about Mr. Marcellino’s hospitality and congeniality, mentioning the flowers he has added that has made the Station Grill inviting and a success. Ms. Errico stated she felt that Falmouth should be supportive of this thriving business that was created thru hard work and dedication.
Robin Sager - Spoke in support of The Station Grill. She also agreed with the prior comments and voiced her opinion of the good job and hard work by John Marcellino as operator of the Station Grill and the efforts he has made to make this establishment a success. Ms. Sager requested that the Falmouth EDIC continue John’s Marcellino’s tenancy with an extended lease.
John Marcellino - Thanked the people who came to support him. Mr. Marcellino noted he felt he and wife did a good and efficient job operating the Station Grill, citing the difficulties he experienced during CV-19. Mr. Marcellino said he did not think it was fair that the EDIC would not offer him a new extended lease, considering half of the lease was during CV-19. He mentioned the sleepless nights he and his wife have had, concerned about losing their business.
8:40 FALMOUTH STATION UPDATE
Wayne Lingafelter
Wayne Lingafelter said that after speaking with legal counsel it was determined that the Falmouth EDIC is obligated to abide by the Chapter 30B procurement guidelines. He asked permission from the Board to authorize him to negotiate for a short-term lease renewal with John Marcellino. And, if not successful, to return to a formal RFP process as Chapter 30B requires. The Board decided to defer a motion until further discussion was had in the Executive Session.
Mr. Marcellino cited he was not interested in a short-term lease.
Chris Simmler said that the EDIC would try to look outside of the box for alternate solutions however, the EDIC is a legal entity and cannot break the law in terms of procurement processes.
Chris Simmler thanked Mr. Marcellino for his partnership and hard work and for making the Falmouth Station a destination point.
DiGiano reported that Plymouth & Brockton bus service started on Aug. 14th. Things are running smoothly. They provide service to Boston/Logan Airport as well as Providence/ T.F. Green airport. P & B expects to add additional bus schedules in the fall. They began submitting rent payments in August – a reduced amount for the first 6 months and a full rent thereafter. P & B sells tickets via their on-line application and thru a kiosk installed in the Falmouth Station foyer.
Lingafelter advised that the first kick-off meeting for the Station Master Planning with the Mass Development team was held 2 weeks ago - via Zoom. The follow up on-site meeting will be held this afternoon with the engineering team, architects and the Mass Development representative. Lingafelter shared the project schedule and deliverables. The $57,000 grant awarded by MassDev will fund this work. The stakeholders meeting(s) to gain community input are planned to take place in mid-October.
Lingafelter confirmed that the DiGiano/Broderick submitted the CPC application to request funding assistance for the masonry repair/replacement project at the Falmouth Station. There will be a CPC board meeting on Sept. 23rd that the EDIC will need to attend to present the project for the CPC board review.
Paul Dreyer advised some of the historical artwork has been delivered to the Station. Wall repair was mentioned; however, the wall will not be repaired until the masonry/water leakage issue is resolved. Jim Fox suggested a Picture Frame Molding system to hang artwork. If awarded, the CPC funding will not be available until the spring of 2022 at the earliest. It was suggested to hang the artwork now – it was undetermined who is responsible to hand the artwork. This item to be added to next month’s agenda for further discussion.
9:00 WELCOME - New Executive Director and Board Member/ Treasurer
Chris Simmler welcomed both Wayne Lingafelter Executive Director, and Kevin Holmes, Treasurer to the Falmouth EDIC. He complimented and thanked Mike DiGiano by stating he assisted the EDIC to grow significantly during his tenure, taking on and completing an enormous amount of work.
Lingafelter thanked Mike for his assistance and professionalism during the ED position transition.
Galasso also thanked Mike DiGiano, saying he felt very fortunate that the EDIC had someone at Mike’s caliber as the EDIC’s first ED, citing he knew that Wayne Lingafelter will carry on this tradition. He welcomed both Lingafelter and Holmes to the Falmouth EDIC.
9:03 FINANCE
Kevin Holmes
Holmes referred to the financial reports. The cash position is $395,941., both assets are cash and parcels of land. There are very few liabilities.
The Board reviewed the financial reports. Questions/discussion ensued.
Simmler reminded the board that $250K was the minimum amount that the EDIC would allow the cash assets to reduce to.
MOTION: Holmes made a motion to approve the warrant in the amount of $86,223.08. Galasso 2nd the motion. All in favor. Motion passed.
MOTION: Holmes made a motion to amend the bank account signatories to Christopher Land – Chairman, Kevin Holmes – Treasurer, Wayne Lingafelter – Executive Director, Lynne Broderick – Administrator and George Malloy – EDIC Accountant. Feronti 2nd. All in favor. Motion passed.
Galasso inquired if there was a 2-signature process for checks over a certain amount – perhaps $5K. Holmes advised there was not, but could be easily implemented. Lingafelter to consider and propose a recommendation at the next board meeting.
9:07 CDBG Community Development Block Grant Update
Lynne Broderick
Galasso stated that the grant program has been very successful. He requested that the EDIC consider writing a letter to the Town of Falmouth requesting $500k from the CV-19 Relief Fund to be used to continue to assist small business and to support economic development in our community.
Simmler suggested that Lingafelter first speak to the Town Mgr. about this subject and the Board wait for Patterson to join the discussion for his input. Discussion ensued by the Board members. Feronti was concerned about requesting a specific amount without knowing how the Town has planned to spend the funds received. Galasso said none of the funds have been earmarked for small businesses at this time. Lingafelter reminded the Board that the current grant funds have not been fully awarded, and they needed to be careful not the mix these funds with any new funding requested. It was agreed that the approach to the Town should be collaborative and in partnership. Lingafelter said, with board permission, he would initiate a conversation with the Town Select Board and Town Manager to discuss this matter, following up with a letter of intention sent afterwards.
9:17 TECHNOLOGY PARK LOT 21 - DRAINAGE EASEMENT UPDATE
Wayne Lingafelter
Jim Fox notified the EDIC Board that he was submitting a special zoning permit on behalf of his client for the construction of a 40 sq. ft. building on an abutting lot to EDIC property in the Tech Park on Langdon Burwell Drive. This is a currently vacant lot. The building will be a moving/storage warehouse facility, noting there are similar facilities already within the Tech Park. He will submit the building plans to the EDIC if requested. Galasso asked if the owner would consider solar panels on the roof; Fox responded yes.
Lingafelter reported that he is continuing to work Holmes & McGrath to identify the most useable parcel of land on the lot, to eventually market for sale. Discussions are on-going with the Town to determine the exact size of the parcel. The next step is to meet with the Water Dept. to review the schematics to address the Town questions regarding the water tower drainage.
9:21 MRECo /SEAPORT COUNCIL GRANT UPDATE
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano advised that Phase 1 of the project is complete. They have requested and expect permission from MTC to go into Phase 2. Three invoices have been processed for MRECo to date. The project is ahead of schedule.
9:22 Landfill Solar Phase 2
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano reported that the Phase 2 solar array was completed in May, citing he believes that they are all set with their interconnection agreement with Eversource. The first rent check for August has been received - $14K; half of which is remitted to the Town of Falmouth per agreement.
Galasso inquired about the Joe-4-Sun program and what was occurring to promote participation. DiGiano was uncertain of the present number of sign-ups, however he remarked that they struggled initially to obtain applications. The EDIC/ Citizens approached several social service agencies to request assistance to promote the program. Galasso requested that a Citizen’s representative attend the next board meeting for an update on the program.
9:25 OpenCape Main Street Gigabit Project
Lynne Broderick
Broderick reported there are 43 connections to date. OpenCape launched a new marketing program named “We are OpenCape”. Posters and flyers have been distributed and ads have been placed in the Falmouth Enterprise. OpenCape has reported that interest in signing up has recently increased.
Broderick advised that an average installation is costing a little over $1,000; it is estimated there are enough funds still available from the $50k to install approximately another 10-12 businesses.
9:27 EDIC ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Agenda items postponed until the next board meeting.
9:30 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Simmler made a motion to adjourn the Public Session and move to Executive Session, not to return to the Public Session, to discuss the RFP for the Falmouth Station lease and to consider other long term planning initiatives to the Falmouth Station as discussing these matters in Open Meeting may be detrimental to the Falmouth EDIC’s negotiating position. Feronti 2nd the motion. Roll Call: Holmes Aye, Simmler Aye, Galasso Aye, Feronti Aye. Motion passed.
NEXT MEETING – October 12th, 2021, 8:30am
*Times listed are intended merely for guidance.
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