HATS members raise concerns about proposal to convert some Hanscom housing to civilian market

At the Nov. 20 meeting Hanscom Area Towns Committee members reviewed reports that part of privatized military housing at Hanscom might be converted to civilian-market housing as contract negotiations proceed. The committee heard that the idea would mark a departure from earlier expectations for privatized housing and could affect security and the use of federal land.

Sara Mattes, retiring HATS chair, recalled that during the last BRAC exercise towns emphasized that Hanscom had capacity to accommodate additional uses within secure boundaries; she said carving out an area for civilian use ‘seems contrary to that approach’ and described a lack of transparency as troubling. Participants confirmed that the proposal is under discussion but that details were unclear; Lincoln’s town administrator had met with a Colonel Orrin to clarify the situation and the committee requested a summary of that conversation for members.

Why it matters: Converting portions of military housing to civilian use would raise questions about security, the status of federally held land and the precedent set for future reuse. HATS members agreed to take a coordinated communications approach to elected officials.

Next steps: The chair agreed to draft a letter to Senator Edward Kennedy and Governor Deval Patrick and circulate it to HATS selectmen; the committee did not take a formal vote but asked for a written summary and further clarification from relevant military and federal officials.