/ Lawrence B. Adams Executive Director
Chris J. Ryan Community Development
Mary Ellen Blunt Transportation
Janet A. Pierce Regional Services and
Business Manager
Howard N. Drobner Commission Chair
CelebratingFifty-twoYears ofService- 1963-2015

ApprovedbyavoteoftheCommittee– ___not a quorum______

CMRPCLegislative AffairsCommittee

MeetingNotes

May 13, 2015

Present:Adam Gaudette, Robin Craver (via phone), Sherry Patch, Bob Perla(Quorum - NO)

Staff:Trish Settles

Absent:Leon Gaumond, Tim McInerney, Jim Bates

Guest:Rita Farrell and Carsten Snow from Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) (via phone)

  1. Review of the April 15, 2015 Minutes –No Quorum, so this item was tabled.
  1. Legislative Updates– Trish and Adam drafted two separate memos to the Executive Committee requesting that they consider sending a letter supporting the following (as approved at the April 15, 2015 meeting.):
  2. Funding for Regional School District Transportation Funding
  3. Continued funding for District Local Technical Assistance and regional collaboration

Adam has asked Sen. Gobi to file and amendment for out of district school transportation funding as part of the senate budget.

Trish and Sherry shared some background on the need for legislation to create an office of Rural Policy. Rita Farrell and Carsten Snow discussed the journey the bill has taken - first as a bill to create an Office of Rural Policy and now an outside section to the budget that establishes a commission. The amendment was filed by Senator Dan Wolf.

Rural Policy Advisory Commission included in Outside Section of HWM budget:

SECTION 24. Chapter 23A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 66. (a) There shall be within the executive office of housing and economic development, but not subject to the supervision or control of the executive office, a rural policy advisory commission. The mission of the commission shall be to enhance the economic vitality of rural communities, defined as municipalities with a population density of less than 500 persons per square mile, and to advance the health and well-being of rural residents.

(b) The commission shall consist of the following 15 members: the speaker of the house of representatives, ex officio, or a designee; the president of the senate, ex officio, or a designee; the secretary of housing and economic development, ex officio, or a designee; 1 person appointed by the governor from the Berkshire regional planning commission, the Cape Cod commission, the central Massachusetts regional planning commission, the Franklin regional council of governments, the Martha’s Vineyard commission, the Montachusett regional planning commission, the Nantucket planning and economic development commission and Pioneer valley planning commission; 4 other persons appointed by the governor.Commission members shall be persons with a demonstrated interest and experience in advancing the interests of rural residents.

(c) Members of the commission may serve a maximum of 3 consecutive 3 year terms. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term. The commission shall elect from among its members a chair, a vice chair, a treasurer and any other officers it deems necessary. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for any usual and customary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Members shall be considered special state employees for the purposes of chapter 268A.

(d) The commission shall serve as a research body for issues critical to the welfare and vitality of rural communities. In furtherance of that responsibility, the commission shall: (i) study, review and report on the status of rural communities and residents in the commonwealth; (ii) advise the legislative and executive bodies of the impact of existing and proposed state laws, policies and regulations on rural communities; (iii) advance legislative and policy solutions that address rural needs; (iv) advocate to ensure that rural communities receive a fair share of state investment; (v) promote collaboration among rural communities to improve efficiency in delivery of services; and (vi) develop and support new leadership in rural communities. The executive office of housing and economic development shall provide the commission with adequate office space as well any research, analysis or other staff support that the commission reasonably requires.

(e) The commission shall meet on a quarterly basis at the discretion of the chair. Meeting locations shall rotate between Boston, Cape Cod and the Islands, central Massachusetts, and western Massachusetts. Meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of chapter 30A.

(f) The commission may accept and solicit funds, including any gifts, donations, grants or bequests or any federal funds, for any of the purposes of this section. Such funds shall be deposited in a separate account with the state treasurer, be received by said treasurer on behalf of the commonwealth, and be expended by the commission in accordance with law.

(g) The commission shall annually, on or before June 2, report the results of its findings and activities of the preceding year and its recommendations to the governor and to the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives who shall forward the same to the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies.

Since there is no quorum, the committee cannot vote to support. Trish will draft an email that Adam will review that only provides information about the bill to our Central Mass legislators.

  1. Spring Event – Trish has confirmed that Matt Beaton will speak at the June 26th event. We will continue to develop panelists for the event.

We discussed having a few topical panelists to share information about an environmental issue that has relevance to municipal economic development. The following were discussed.

  1. Robin shared some of the challenges faced by lack of regulations governing activity on Great Ponds and Lakes. This might be one panel topic.
  2. Another panel topic suggested was the Central Mass Storm Water Coalition and its efforts regarding MS4 permitting.
  3. Lastly we talked about using the Fisherville Mill in Grafton as a possible panel topic where development occurred with positive environmental benefits.

Trish will send out a save the date with the broad topic and speaker and we will work to refine the panelist between now and our next meeting.

  1. New Business – No new business
  1. Next meeting date:Tuesday June 9 at 10:00 am in the Grant Conference Room