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Economic Development Commission
Minutes of Meeting— February 23, 2010
The Hudson Economic Development Commission met at the Hudson Town Hall, 78 Main Street. At 7:30 p.m., Chairman Donald Garcia called the meeting to order.
Members Present: Donald Garcia, William Sullivan, Hugh Gardner, Christopher Tibbals, Tony Loureiro
Others Present: Kerin Shea – Community & Economic Development Assistant
Members Not Present: Sarah Cressy, Tom Davis, Christine Miller, Santino Parente
Handouts: CDBG Target Area map, Houghton Court map, Priority Projects Survey results (See attachments above.)
FY10 CDBG Application
Ms. Shea updated the Commission on the latest Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application submitted by the Department of Community Development. In past applications, the Block Grant provided funding for such projects as Downtown Facades, the Senior Center Renovation, the Cellucci Skate & Splash Park & the reconstruction of the South Street Parking Lot. The application process begins with the selection of a Target Area. All CDBG funded projects have to be located within that Target Area, and bonus points are given to our application for additional Town, State or privately funded projects that take place within that area, as well. Our Target Area concentrates on our commercial corridor. It runs from the Hudson/Marlboro Town line on Route 85, heading north along Washington Street/Route 85 to the
Rotary, then heads east along Route 62, ending at 428 Main Street. Other projects taking place within the area are the Route 85 Reconstruction project, the reconstruction of the Houghton Street Bridge, the new Houghton Court parking lot for the Broad Street Mill, and all summer concert programming in Cellucci Park.
The next step in the application process was distribution of a Town-wide survey to gauge community priorities. Approximately two dozen projects were listed on the survey, as well as space to write in new ideas. Over 100 responses were received, with the #1 priority being the Washington Street/Route 85 Reconstruction & Widening project. Other main concerns for the Town were road resurfacing, Rotary traffic improvements, and Downtown parking.
The three projects that were selected for the application were continuing the Façade program, reconstruction of Houghton Court & a parking & infrastructure study for the Downtown. As the Façade program has now been expanded to include both the Downtown and Washington Street, we hope to do more complex projects than in years past. For example, the Manzo Building located at 154-158 Main Street (housing Sofia’s Restaurant) was too large of a project for the funds that we were allocated in the FY08 grant. Therefore we only renovated the first floor. Additional funding will allow us not only to complete this project, but do more projects along that large scale.
Houghton Court is in deplorable condition, with no sidewalks or ADA compliance. Reconstruction will improve walkability to the Hudson Food Pantry and the new Cellucci Skate & Splash Park. Residents will be able to walk safely to the concerts held in the new pavilion. Employees and patrons of the Broad Street Mill will be able to walk Downtown for goods & services. The Town will also replace the sewer & waterlines, sections of which date back to 1884.
Lastly, we are looking to do a feasibility study for a parking garage Downtown. The Town will work with an engineering firm to choose 3-5 sites. The engineering firm will do a full build-out analysis, evaluate size, traffic impact & ultimate total number of parking spaces. In order to safely reconstruct the rotary someday, we would lose 30 parking spaces located around the rotary. This safety upgrade will never be possible until we find a solution as to where to relocate those spaces.
Mr. Garcia said he had signed a letter of support to include with the CDBG grant application. He suggested that in the future, copies of any support letters should be sent out to all members, in case there are any concerns regarding what the commission is endorsing.
Updates on various Town projects
Ms. Shea updated the Town on some of the projects going on Hudson:
·~~~~~~~~Washington St/Rte 85 Reconstruction Project – The plans are almost at 100% design. The Town has had the public hearing for the Notice of Intent with the Conservation Commission. The Right-Of-Way plans are near final. The site assessment is complete for the Bonazzoli property & we are waiting on the final report. Community Development is currently working on a Site Clean-Up grant application from MassDevelopment (MD), the same State agency that supplied the Site Assessment grant. We are also working on an Economic Development Fund (EDF) grant application that will provide the site acquisition funds. The November
Town Meeting approved an article authorizing the Town to proceed with acquisition of the Bonazzoli parcel in order to clean it up. This vote was critically important to advancing the overall roadway project. Both the EDF & MD grants are recoverable grants, meaning the Town has to pay back the grants from any proceeds from the sale of the newly cleaned up property. The Town will NOT go forward with the taking without the MassDevelopment Clean-Up grant.
·~~~~~~~~ Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) - The Town of Hudson has received a $150,000 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant award to replace exterior windows in the Hudson Public Library, under a special round of federal stimulus funding. The project proposes the replacement of 39 metal windows and 30 wooden windows for a total of 69 new units. It is estimated that the degraded windows make up 25% to 30% of the building’s total exterior. We estimate that the Library will reduce its oil consumption by 1,500 gallons per year, and as a result, will conserve 5,800 kilowatt hours of energy. This amounts to a
total reduction in green house gas emissions of nearly 40,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually. The Library will also see a 40% reduction in fuel costs resulting in an annual savings of $6,000, with an additional $1,000 saved per year on electricity.
·~~~~~~~~ Final stages of ongoing Façade Program – The Façade Program is almost complete with its final project being the Manzo Building located at 154-158 Main Street (housing Sofia’s Ristorante). Due to weeks of inclement weather, the project has been delayed. But the new windows are installed, and new entryways should be going in next week. The project should be at substantial completion soon, with final paint touch-ups occurring in the spring.
New Business
- The Department of Community Development was approached by Fran Pugsley, owner of 162 Main Street, the small cinderblock building formerly rented by Hudson Appliance as their service center. He was looking for Façade Program funds, but after evaluation from a structural engineer, it was determined that the building would need to be torn down. A large building sat in front of the current structure, housing two retail storefronts & four apartments above, but burned down in 1978. Michelle Ciccolo, Community Development Director & Jen Burke, Planning Director explained other State incentives that could be made available, should he wish to rebuild, such as Tax Increment Financing or becoming a “friendly” 40-B.
- Highland Commons – Mr. Gardner heard that there might be a Texas Roadhouse moving into Highland Commons.
- Budget Hearings – The Board of Selectmen & the Finance Committee approved the Commission’s budget for FY11 in the amount of $5,449. The amount is the same as last year’s budget.
- The EDC Annual Report is due March 19th. Mr. Garcia asked if there was anything specific anyone wanted to see mentioned in the report. Please contact him with any suggestions.
- The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is doing a feasibility study to turn the Mass Central Railroad, home of the future Wayside Trail, into a rail-with-trail, utilizing a clean, quiet bus rapid transit system in conjunction with a bike/pedestrian trail. A meeting has been held with the Department of Conservation & Recreation which seems open to the idea. The Mass Central Branch runs 104 miles & connects 24 communities from North Hampton to Boston. The section just east of Cambridge is now being used by the Fitchburg Line. This effort could use the EDC’s support.
- The Chamber of Commerce recognized the EDC with a Certificate of Appreciation for 15 years of outstanding membership.
Minutes
Hugh Gardner, seconded by Tony Loureiro, made a motion to approve the minutes of September 22, 2009 2008 as written.
Vote: 5-0-0, unanimous
Adjournment
Chris Tibblas, seconded by Bill Sullivan, moved to adjourn at 8:30 PM.
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