Lexington Minuteman
Thursday, February 17, 2005

Hanscom is concern to all five candidates

By Bethan L. Jones

In recent weeks, Gov. Mitt Romney has put forward a bond for $261
million for investment into two threatened Massachusetts military bases,
including Hanscom Air Force Base.

Of the amount, $19 million will go to Natick with the remaining $242
million coming to Hanscom. The future of the base remains an unknown until
the spring, but regardless of the outcome, the selectmen will be a key force
in shaping Lexington's response. Both incumbents and candidates for the
position of selectmen support Hanscom as a regional entity which benefits
the community, but are also aware of the threats which such a thriving
economic hub bring.

"The four Boards of Selectmen from Bedford, Concord, Lincoln and
Lexington have been working collaboratively on Hanscom issues for some time.
We all want Hanscom to remain open as a military base," said selectman Dawn
McKenna, adding the regional effort was key in helping secure the state
funds. "We have put in place regional planning efforts ... to prepare for
the possibility that Hanscom would be decommissioned. I believe it is
important to that we treat this as a regional opportunity whether the base
closes or remains open."

Candidate Norm Cohen said Lexington needs to be well represented in the
reuse committee in case the Pentagon chooses to close the base.

"The fact of the matter is ... if the state dictates [Hanscom's future]
... we are not going to do well," he said.

Cohen, like others, raised concern about MassPort looking to take up
residence if the base is closed, something he is firmly against. He also
questioned the state's use of quick disposal of land, something he fears
might be done with a decommissioned Hanscom.

"We must not sit back and wait for something to happen," said Cohen.

Regardless of the military status of the base, "we have to do something
about the traffic," said Cohen.

Candidate Patrick Mehr shared Cohen's concern about the traffic
pattern, but called improvement a "double-edged sword." A reworking of the
intersection at Bedford Street and Hartwell Avenue would help the site as a
whole, but making it more attractive could also bring in parties like
MassPort.

"We need to watch this very carefully," said Mehr.

Mehr said a limiting of commercial air traffic, preserving jobs if the
base is to be closed and improving infrastructure if Hanscom remains open
and weighing environmental factors should be the main objectives of the
selectmen. To reduce pollution and traffic, Mehr said the MBTA's Red Line
could be extended from Alewife station, a "major, major project" but
something to be considered. Like Cohen, Mehr also does not see MassPort as
"a very inadequate entity" to redevelop the base.

Hank Manz also shares the overwhelming concern about any MassPort
presence at Hanscom.

"This is a thing that could effect us forever," he said.

Manz, like so many others, has concerns about traffic even with the
redevelopment money.

"It could be ... we just get the traffic, not businesses," he said,
citing the Concord Street traffic pattern which pushes commuters to either
Belmont or Waltham through Lexington.

Looking at other towns who have lost their military bases, Manz said
Lexington must take a more active role in steering the project, adding
Lexington does not want to end up like Devens, the community on Cape Cod,
once home to a large military base which the state redeveloped.

"If we let that happen here, we will end up with things we do not
want," he said.

Like McKenna, Manz emphasized the importance of a regional effort as "
the only way the state will be impressed."

Even if the base is to remain open, Manz said Lexington is "not poised
to take advantage" of the economic opportunities.

"This problem is the one," said Manz.

Incumbent William Kennedy was unavailable for comment.

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