Commander addresses residents during town hall

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Dozens of people gathered at the Minuteman Commons April 11 to receive updates about housing, base services, upcoming events and more during the Base Residents' Town Hall meeting.
 
Col. Stacy L. Yike, 66th Air Base Group commander, welcomed attendees and began by thanking volunteers, specifically Hanscom spouses, who have donated time and money to things such as blood drives, the Giving Tree, Minuteman Thrift Shop, scholarships and more.

Yike also briefed the crowd about upcoming leadership changes.

"My end of tour is set for May 21," she said. "Colonel JR Weilacher will be coming in to take over as base commander. We also expect a new installation chaplain to be coming in this month and there are several other leadership changes taking place."

The 66th Force Support Squadron also briefed residents about changes to base services. A recap of those changes can be found online or in the April 6 edition of the Hansconian.

In addition, Carolyn McCafferty, 66 FSS Operations officer, spoke about the relationship the squadron has been building with area town youth sports leagues.

"FSS will still have all the information base residents need to enroll their children in youth sports," she said. "The towns are excited about our participation and now our kids will have access to sports we were never able to offer on base."

She explained how Youth Programs would be the focal point during the transition. They would look into helping with things such as car pools in order to get the children off to practices or games.

Officials are also looking into providing scholarships for children. FSS members explained that registration fees are slightly higher than base leagues were, so they would be looking for ways to partner with organizations to help cover some of the cost for families.

Paul Hartigan, 66 FSS Community Support flight chief, talked to residents about how the Patriot Golf Course is now open and Fourth Cliff would soon be opening for the season.

More information about those facilities can be found at www.hanscomservices.com.

Yike reminded residents that changes to base services were not just a Hanscom issue.

"What capabilities do we need to provide to Airmen and their families?" she said. "We're looking at what's best for Hanscom. Your feedback is what's important."

Next, Nick Zallas, installation anti-terrorism officer, talked to residents about travel restrictions to Mexico.

"We ask that you just don't go," he said. "It's dangerous. There is a process in place for those who have to travel there and commanders have this information. This applies to the entire DoD (Department of Defense)."

Maj. Derrick Weyand, 66th Security Forces Squadron commander, discussed youth curfews, reporting options and speed enforcement with attendees.

"The curfew for Hanscom youth is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday," he said. "Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the curfew is midnight to 6 a.m."

He reiterated that SFS has copies of the Youth Supervision Policy and talked to residents about recent criminal activity on base.

"Hanscom is pretty secure," he said. "But things do happen and we have had some incidents. Make sure you lock your car doors and use the dead bolt lock on your door. If you see something, come to us immediately."

Weyand also talked to those in attendance about stopping at stop signs and informed them they would soon see speed carts set up in housing to enforce to speed limit.

"Here, we enforce stopping at a stop sign," he explained. "If you get pulled over for failing to stop, it's a $100 fine, plus a $25 processing fee. If you're speeding, it's a $50 fine plus a $25 processing fee. In addition, for every mile per hour you're speeding above five miles per hour, it's an additional $10."

Officials from the 66th Medical Squadron also presented information about new services to attendees. Kathryne Friess, 66 MDS practice manager, talked about new online options available to patients.

"We have a new Facebook page and brand new web page," she said. "We also have a new program called MiCare, where patients can communicate with their provider via secure messaging."

Col. Frank Glenn, 66 MDS commander, informed residents about a new prescription drop box.

"We have had a 20 to 25 percent increase in prescriptions, resulting in longer wait times - up to one and a half to two hours," he said. "Now, you can put your prescription in a drop box and come back and pick it up later."

Tom Schluckebier, base civil engineer, talked to residents about construction projects, including progress on the Massachusetts National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, design of the Hanscom Middle School and information about the Mental Health Clinic addition.

He also reminded everyone about the construction on Bestic Drive, near the Brown Building and MIT Lincoln Lab.

"We just ask that you try to avoid that area," he said. "Construction will be ongoing through August 31 to replace steam and condensate lines."

Finally, Kelley Casey, housing community director, talked to residents about the housing area.

"We have completed construction," she said. "However, we plan to add another playground and install new mail kiosks in Musket Meadows. There is also a possibility of some upcoming roadwork."

Casey informed residents that housing is 94 percent occupied and to be on the lookout for the new landscaping contractors.

"We will still have the flower and mulch giveaway on May 16," she said.

Yike wrapped up the meeting by taking questions from the crowd. She finished by saying this was her last opportunity to talk to residents in the town hall format before she retires.

"It's truly been an honor," she said.