Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: Sept 8, 2020
Zoom Meeting
PRESENT
Christopher Land (C), Paul Burke (T), Thomas Feronti (CK), Michael Galasso,
Samuel Patterson
ABSENT
Christopher Simmler (VC), Patti Haney
8:34 am* CALL TO ORDER
A quorum was established. The Chair called the meeting to order.
8:34 PUBLIC COMMENT
None
8:35 GUEST SPEAKER – Susan Murray, Executive Director, SEED Inc. https://seedinc.org/
Ms. Murray presented a PowerPoint presentation of their organization.
SEED was established in 1982, with a mission to assist small businesses in Southeastern MA to start-up, expand and create new jobs; focusing on gap financing and technical assistance.
SEED administers 4 loan programs: SBA 504 Loan Programs, Small Loan Programs, Micro Loan Programs and Fast Track Loan Programs. Ms. Murray provided a synopsis of each program details.
Ms. Murray shared that SEED was recently awarded a federal $3.6M grant un the CARES Act to fund small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Minimum loan is $50K, a maximum loan of $350K.
Ms. Murray requested contact introductions to the Cape Cod and Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. The Falmouth EDIC will post on their website as well as Twitter account.
8:54 FINANCE
Paul Burke
Broderick referred to the financial reports as well as the warrant previously sent to the Board; noting asset and liability numbers.
Broderick reviewed the Q3 month to date overview report, noting variance to budget on several categories; stating we are track to the original budget forecast done at the beginning of the year. Forecasted Net Loss by end of year is estimated at - $105,000.
DiGiano noted some unanticipated maintenance/repair expense at the Falmouth Station will be forthcoming.
MOTION: Patterson made a motion to approve the warrant in the amount of $20,570.49. Land 2nd. Roll Call: Patterson Aye, Galasso Aye, Feronti Aye, Land Aye. Motion passed.
9:03 MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT APPLICATION UPDATE
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano reported that the Seaport Council did not approve the MRE grant application. MRE and DiGiano had a conference call with Mass Tech Council and Seaport Council to determine if any other grants would be appropriate; none were identified at that time. Continuing efforts by MRE will be made to investigate other grant opportunities; the EDIC has committed support to these efforts.
9:06 MASS DEVELOPMENT GRANT - STUDY FALMOUTH TECHNOLOGY PARK
Michael Galasso
Galasso advised they put in a grant application for the Falmouth Station in its stead. However, Galasso stated the EDIC does need to obtain funding to do feasibility study at the Tech Park citing it may be something for the Tech Park Committee to work on. DiGiano noted there is an upcoming source of funding from Mass Development – a Site Readiness Grant that may be applicable for the Tech Park.
9:07 MASS DEVELOPMENT GRANT - STUDY FALMOUTH STATION DEVELOPMENT
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano reported he filed a Technical Assistance Grant with Mass Development to do a master plan study at the Falmouth Station. The EDIC applied for a $50K grant with the EDIC matching with in kind staff support of $25K. This will be to hire architects and engineers to study transportation related improvements to accommodate more intercity bus service, safety improvements, and to look at the vacant adjacent lots to determine the feasibility of development of workforce and/or low-incoming housing project there and expanded parking. DiGiano has asked the BOS and CCRTA for letters of support to file with the grant application.
9:12 COMMITTEE REPORTS
FALMOUTH BUSINESS RECOVERY COMMITTEE UPDATE
Chris Simmler, Thomas Feronti, Samuel Patterson
Update
FALMOUTH TECHNOLOGY PARK
Tom Feronti, Patti Haney, Mike DiGiano
Feronti said the EDIC hosted a meeting with DiGiano and Broderick with the Tech Park property and business owners. During the meeting the expiring Cape Cod Commission (CCC) Development Agreement (DA) was discussed. The Tech Park community still holds the belief that the DA still is very valuable to the property owners. It was agreed that though the EDIC Attorney advised that the CCC may not be interested in extending the DA, the EDIC would send a letter to request one.
Other matters discussed were other ways to improve services such as bringing food service into the Tech Park and as well as adding new directory signs within the park, however, the expense of $10K for updated signs is currently prohibitive. It was agreed that the EDIC would obtain updated signing quotes and a joint letter from the EDIC and Falmouth Tech Park Assoc. would be sent to the business owners asking for donations for the sign upgrades. DiGiano offered to look into grants for the signs.
DiGiano reported that 2 rezoning Articles 21 and 22 will be presented at the Sept. 14th Town Meeting. These articles will request a rezone to LIB and Ground Mount Solar to allow for more usage of the land within the Tech Park.
FALMOUTH STATION
Mike DiGiano, Chris Simmler, Lynne Broderick
The P & B lease agreement has not yet been signed as they have not decided when to begin service; Covid-19 has greatly impacted their business. P & B is monitoring travel conditions and will advise.
DiGiano met with Open Cape to inspect facility for underground cable placement. More work is needed to be done to define digging route placement.
DiGiano advised that John has agreed there are too many signs and has removed several of them. The EDIC is awaiting a formal letter from John Marcellino advising of the Signs he wishes to retain at the Falmouth Station.
Broderick advised the Station experienced some maintenance issues with the AC and it was not working properly. The original installer has gone out of business, so The Fuel Co. is repairing it. New pumps will need to be installed.
Broderick reported that the Station is experiencing some water issues around 1 window at the Station. Water is seeping thru the window seal and the porous bricks, into the inside wall which is resulting with mold on the wall board. Beacon Architecture inspected and provided an assessment of mitigation. He recommended that mortar repair and sealant actions be taken. Broderick is scheduling inspections and quotes from local masons.
SOLAR LANDFILL PROJECT – PHASE 2
Mike DiGiano
No Update
OPEN CAPE
Mike DiGiano
Open Cape
COMMUNITY BASED FIBER OPTIC FEASIBILITY STUDY
Mike DiGiano
DiGiano advised the study consultant received the quota of Speed Tests.
10-12 successful business interviews took place for the study.
The Town Manager agreed to allow CCG to speak with Town Dept. personnel that interact with businesses and residents to obtain feedback regarding their experiences with broadband service.
A conference call with CCG and the Community Network Community to discuss the status of the draft study report, preliminary financials, and implementation models.
CCG estimated a draft report should be completed by the end of September.
Courtney Bird stated that COVID-19 has highlighted the need for a stable and reliable broadband internet service. As the Town is experiencing financial challenges, they may not have an appetite to support a Town operated system. Bird suggested that the EDIC consider becoming the operating entity for the project.
Galasso suggested that when implementation maps are developed, the lower income areas in Town are serviced first as they need it the most. He also noted that he agrees the EDIC may be a good choice to act as the Project Operating Agent, that before the EDIC consider it, the Town Counsel be consulted to ascertain if he believes the EDIC has the authority to execute this type of project.
9:56 EDIC ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
The Strategic Meeting date is set for Sept. 25th. The location will be at the Falmouth Station. The draft agenda was viewed, and it was agreed the agenda needs to be reduced. Land requested that the Falmouth BOS Strategic Report be sent to the EDIC Board to be reviewed prior to the meeting.
Special Legislation subject at the Strategic Meeting was discussed. Patterson suggested that the EDIC contact the Western MA group to learn about their model and process for their build out of a broadband internet service.
MOTION: Feronti made a motion to approve the August 11th, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes. Galasso 2nd. Roll Call: Patterson Aye, Feronti Aye, Galasso Aye, Burke Aye. Motion passed.
10:05 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Patterson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Feronti 2nd. Roll Call: Patterson Aye, Feronti Aye, Galasso Aye, Burke Aye. Motion passed.
NEXT MEETING – October 13th, 2020, 8:30am, Zoom Meeting
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