Bedford Minuteman
Wednesday, July 30, 2003

HATS looks to support base efforts

By Barbara Forster / Correspondent

Historically Hanscom's four neighboring communities have been concerned with commercial aviation. But starting this fall, the planes of concern will wear Air Force wings.

Lincoln's Sara Mattes, the new chairman of the Hanscom Area Towns Committee, recommended that the group change its primary focus from the civilian side of Hanscom Field to the Air Force Base.

"I think we should explore how we (the four towns) can be more supportive of the base," she said.

The federal government is in the process Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process to determine which military bases around the country stay open. That bases will close is a given; what isn't is which ones. Mattes pointed out that the four towns will be greatly affected if the Air Force went away.

"The Air Force Base brings in three to four billion dollars annually to the regional economy," she said. "That kind of revenue loss would be devastating to every city and town."

In addition, 26,000 jobs are related to the Air Force.

Mattes acknowledged that the town of Lincoln would be directly affected, too. The town has an agreement with the federal government to provide education for Hanscom-based students in elementary and middle school grades. In practice, the town splits school administrative costs between the two campuses. The result, explains Mattes, is a "rich organizational structure" that would disappear without the additional monies.

The Bedford School Department also benefits from the base's proximity, receiving federal aid for the 20 to 25 percent of Hanscom high schoolers that comprise the student body at Bedford High.

Plans are to invite the Air Force to a meeting to see how the towns can help.

"We also should have Mass Development in to discuss how we can be supportive of their efforts to build the base," added Mattes.

The group also tried to determine which issues involving Hanscom Field belong with HATS and which should fall under the jurisdiction of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission. Selectmen from the four towns are members of both groups.

Mattes recommended that operational issues go to HFAC, but Bedford Selectman Sheldon Moll noted that "we discuss many issues which are not clear that they aren't pertinent to both groups."

Lexington's Jeanne Krieger agreed.

"It's not clear where the overlap is between HATS and HFAC and I would not want to preclude discussing activities at the field at HATS," she said.

But Peter Enrich of Lexington, who is chairman of HFAC, suggested that the advisory commission which has a broad representation including aviation interests "play a fact-finding role" and report to HATS.

"The focus of HATS is to address those ways in which the activities at the field have an impact on quality of life," he said.

Mattes became the new HATS chairwoman by a unanimous vote. Traditionally, responsibility for leading the group rotates annually among the four towns.

For the past two years, due to rotation conflicts between the chairmen of the two Hanscom-related groups - the HFAC chairman also rotates - Moll was head honcho. Who takes over next year has yet to be decided.

Privatization

Air Force Community Relations Officer Jim Corcoran reported that the military is moving forward with plans to privatize base housing. A Request for Proposals is scheduled to be released on Aug. 8.

According to Corcoran, the numbers of homes involved has been reduced. The proposal is available online at www.bbpa.com.

FedEx update

In September, Federal Express will outline cargo operation plans at Hanscom Field.

Peter Enrich, chairman of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commissioned, also announced that the cargo carrier does not expect to begin operations at the field until 2004.

"They said it would take no less than six to 10 months to start up service," he said.

In the meantime, the cargo company has met with area activists including Safeguarding the Historic Hanscom Area's Irreplaceable Resources. According to ShhAir President Margaret Coppe, no new news was on the table. The plan remains at one flight per day.

FedEx also approached boards of selectmen for meetings; so far none of the four towns has scheduled a get-together.

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