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Economic Development Commission
Minutes of Meeting— November 9, 2012
The Hudson Economic Development Commission met at the Hudson Town Hall, 78 Main Street. At 2:30 p.m., Chairman Donald Garcia called the meeting to order.
Members Present: Donald Garcia, Christopher Tibbals, Tony Loureiro, Hugh Gardner, Tom Davis, William Sullivan, Sarah Cressy
Others Present: Kerin Shea – Community & Economic Development Assistant, Michelle Ciccolo - Community Development Director, Mickey Splaine – MassDOT, Jennifer Burke – Planning Director/ITC, Dave Stephens – Police Chief/ITC, Michael Burks – Police Captain, John Blood – Fire Chief/ITC, Dan Connor – Deputy Fire Chief, Tony Marques – DPW Director/ITC, Jeff Wood – Building Commissioner/ITC, Paul Blazar – Executive Assistant, Vanessa Battaglia – resident.
Members Not Present: Michael DiBona, Matt Tucker
Washington Street Bridge Information Session
Mr. Garcia explained that the EDC would like to sponsor an information session for the business community on the future Washington Street Bridge reconstruction. While the date could not be determined yet, we should discuss venue, outreach, etc. What should we include? What are the issues?
Mr. Splaine explained the 2 construction scenarios presented at the ITC meeting on 10/26/12. Option 1 kept 2 lanes open on the bridge. This scenario would have the smallest work-zone, be the most dangerous for motorists/workers & would last 3 construction seasons. Option 2 kept the southbound lane open, but detoured northbound traffic either via Broad St, Houghton St or School St. This scenario would have a safer work-zone & would last 1.5-2 construction seasons. There are also concerns about demolishing a stone bridge in sections. One never knows how it will go, if it can be shored up or what will crumble into the water. Mr. Garcia asked if a 3rd option of full closure had been explored? Mr. Splaine said that it had not, but the question could be asked. The Town must
ask the question to get the answer. Mr. Tibbals asked if there were quality concerns between the scenarios? Mr. Splaine explained that it is always better to build things all at once with no construction joints, but the single-lane option was very good, too. Segments are never ideal & they are building a 75 year bridge. Yes, full closer is the best for public/worker safety, but things aren’t always possible. We must consider impacts to community.
Mr. Garcia asked who should the letter come from & to whom should it be addressed? Should EDC author the letter? Mr. Blazar said that was fine; EDC was only asking for the option to be explored. Mr. Garcia then asked ITC if they should review the third option first before presenting it at the info session? Chief Blood requested all three options be presented at the meeting, so the business community could ask questions there & not at the ITC meeting. Then ITC could make its recommendation.
Chief Stephens asked if there would be a pedestrian bridge? Mr. Splaine said everything will have to be explored: detour routes, pedestrian access, etc. Ms. Cressy asked if there would be sidewalks on the bridge? The mobility & connection of our Downtown is important. Ms. Ciccolo suggested she write a letter requesting they be included in the project plans, if they are not already.
Mr. Davis asked if there would be land takings? Mr. Splaine said yes, but where, how much & ultimate duration was still being explored. Ms. Cressy asked what mechanisms would be in place for the impacted businesses? Mr. Splaine said he would check with MassDOT’s Right-Of-Way division. Mr. Garcia added that the impacts are real to the abutting businesses. They would be impacted in all scenarios.
Mr. Gardner asked about the rotary. How would it function with the additional bridge lanes? Ms. Ciccolo replied that the rotary was the subject of an upcoming Downtown Parking, Infrastructure & Circulation Study to be done next year. The study, done with matching funds from the Town & HBA, will be a comprehensive evaluation.
Mr. Garcia invited all to attend the upcoming HBA meeting on 11/19/12 at 4:30 to discuss the business community’s thoughts on whether to explore a full-closure option.
Sarah Cressy, seconded by Bill Sullivan, made a motion to allow Don Garcia to write the letter to MassDOT requesting the exploration of the full closure option.
Vote: 7-0-0, unanimous
New Business
- Master Plan EDSTAT – Ms. Ciccolo explained that there is a new economic development tool available to communities, done by the Dukakis Center at Northeastern. She would like to use this as a supplement to the Master Plan, but would it be duplicative efforts? We convene a stakeholder group, fill out an extensive questionnaire, discuss the strengths & weaknesses of the community etc. And then, determine what can we change from a locality standpoint? It is a marketing tool, telling us how we measure up to other communities, and how to market the region. We get a final report with in-depth analyses. We would get industry clusters and a complete business database would be done for free. Town staff can’t do this alone. But would stakeholders participate? It would be a ½ day session,
and 1-2 evening forums, plus the kick-off & final presentations. We would need a few EDC members as part of the working group. We could also ask Marlboro to participate & make it a regional effort. Money is tight, and it would be several thousand dollars. We could ask the Master Plan Steering Committee to pay for it, but it is too early in the MP process. We need wait until the Master Plan is further along, to see if additional forums, chapters or reviews are needed.
Ms. Cressy said she would advocate for it, if we have the funds. Mr. Garcia said to look at it in the absence of cost. Is this something the EDC wants to do? Ms. Ciccolo wondered if the end product would be an EDC product or a Master
Plan product? Mr. Garcia thought it should be a Master Plan product, as that document has a broader reach. The EDC would just support it.
Don Garcia, seconded by Chris Tibbals, made a motion to allow the Community development Department to pursue EDSTAT in some fashion.
Vote: 7-0-0, unanimous
- Community Development Block Grant – The Town is in its planning stages for the next round of CDBG funding. 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. We have had 2 public hearings so far & have several more to go. This year’s application will be a joint one with Marlboro. The three projects that were selected for the application were continuing the Façade program in both communities, reconstruction of the South St Extension in Hudson & the reconstruction of Kirby St in Marlboro.
The South St Extension would provide access & connectivity for residents to access goods & services downtown. The Downtown façade program has been very successful with many inquiries about funding for future programs. Ms. Cressy said that several businesses have been impacted along Washington Street as a result of MassDOT’s Route 85/Washington Road Widening Project. Site access has been disrupted; signs have had to be relocated. Ms. Shea explained that Washington St was certified in 2009 and those businesses are also eligible to participate in the program. In addition to facades, hardscape areas of parking, walkways, and ramps may also be upgraded in order to allow parking and pedestrian access to buildings impacted by the widening and reconstruction. These
improvements will complement the brand new roadway currently under construction.
Minutes
Chris Tibbals, seconded by Bill Sullivan, made a motion to approve the minutes of September 18, 2012.
Vote: 7-0-0, unanimous
Adjournment
Don Garcia, seconded by Hugh Gardner, moved to adjourn at 4:00 PM.
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