HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-15-HFA-min
Hanscom Field Advisory Commission
Minutes
January 15, 2008
Prepared by Massport Staff
1.Minutes:
There were no corrections or comments on the December Minutes.
2 Town of Lexington RSA letters:
. Hank Manz distributed letters from the Town of
Lexington to the Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers regarding Massport’s Runway Safety Area (RSA) project. The letters include
comments from the HATS Environmental Subcommittee. Gordon Feldman noted that the
RSA project has been discussed many times, and there was a January 14, 2008 deadline
date for comments on this phase of the permitting process. John Williams questioned why
the letters were being presented to the commission for discussion without an opportunity
for members to review them and/or having received notice that they would be an agenda
item for the meeting. H. Manz noted that it was not his intention to surprise the
Commission and its attendees with these letters but as he had only learned of them on
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Wednesday, January 9 he decided to present them as a courtesy. H. Manz said he would
post the letters on the HFAC website. Sara Mattes commented that HATS did not have
sufficient time to send comparable letters because such letters must first be approved by
the Boards of Selectmen in Bedford, Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington. Gordon Feltman
said that the Bedford selectmen accepted the RSA project years ago and would not be
likely to support such a letter.
3.HFAC vs. HATS:
J. Williams asked for a clarification of the difference between
HFAC and HATS. S. Mattes explained:
HFAC is a legislatively created body, comprised of aviation and community
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representatives, that focuses on airport related issues.
HATS was formed by the four Hanscom-area towns as a forum for the towns’
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representatives to address issues of a broader nature, such as area traffic and
development issues, and the BRAC process.
4.Community Concerns:
It was noted that there had been some questions about a
reference to Hanscom on the HFAC website because it didn’t clarify whether the
reference was to Hanscom Field or Hanscom Air Force Base. It was generally agreed
that it is important to specify one or the other. S. Arnold reiterated that at the December
meeting she referred to Massport’s responsibility for maintaining the airfield for Air
Force Base operations and noted that Massport owns Hanscom Field (not the Air Force
Base).
5.Monthly Noise Report:
Sara Arnold presented the monthly noise report. In response
to questions, S. Arnold explained that:
The graph showing the 12 month interval average is illustrating a moving
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average, with each point representing the previous 12 months;
Boston Maine Airways reduced flights in December as a result of a pilot
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shortage;
Hanscom’s enplanement totals include Charters, which report directly to the
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FAA.
Noise Disturbance Response Forms: With the transition to the new noise
monitoring system, there will be some changes related to Massport’s responses to
reports of aircraft noise disturbances. The following was explained and there were
no follow up comments:
An effort will be made to identify the aircraft that generated the complaint for
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all complaints, not just those for 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. activity; and
There will be a new response form; a draft of which was distributed.
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6. Capital Programs/Planning and Development:
In response to questions, Dorothy
Steele reported the following:
She will get additional information on the status of the recent photo analysis
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for the Vegetation Management Program. She noted that photos have been
provided in the past.
There is no change in the status of Hangar 24.
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The Jet Aviation ramp project continues to be on hold.
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Massport staff will discuss community concerns when responding to inquiries
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about hangar development opportunities.
7. Massport CEO Meeting:
There was discussion about Tom Kinton’s desire to meet
with HFAC representatives. G. Feltman urged that such a meeting should include serious
in-depth discussions about land use planning and ground transportation. He is not
interested in having a “social event.” J. Williams suggested that T. Kinton should let the
meeting participants know about his strategy for Hanscom. H. Manz asked Commission
members to submit questions that might be presented to Mr. Kinton.
There was considerable discussion about the Open Meeting Law. It was noted that if Mr.
Kinton meets with HFAC or if there is a quorum of HATS members, the meeting must be
open to the public and posted. D. Steele said that Tom Kinton has expressed interest in
talking to members of the community through his new Community Office Hours
initiative but, he hopes to have a more casual, introductory meeting with the commission
and members of the Towns’ Boards of Selectmen.
Possible meeting dates were discussed. It was noted that Monday nights are Selectmen
meeting nights and starting in March, at least Lexington Town Meeting meets on
Mondays and Wednesdays. D. Steele agreed that she will explore various options with
staff.
HANSCOM FIELD ADVISORY COMMISSION
DATE: 1/15/08
HFAC MEMBER ATTENDEES
CATEGORYNAMEIN ATTENDANCE
**********************
Contiguous Towns (4)
BedfordGordon FeltmanX
Bedford Alt.
ConcordAnne Shapiro
Concord Alt.Charles Blair
LexingtonHank ManzX
Lexington Alt.Michael Barrett
LincolnSara MattesX
Lincoln Alt.Sarah Cannon-Holden
Local Citizen Groups (2)**********************
So. LexMargaret CoppeX
No. LexGraydon Wheaton
**********************
Area Wide Organizations (2)
LWVMelodee Wagen
LWV Alt.
VACANT
**********************
Other Area Towns (2)
CarlisleSteve Lerner
WalthamRep. Tom Stanley
Waltham Alt.Michael Squillante
**********************
Businesses Basing Acft at Hanscom (2)
VACANT
RaytheonMichael Burke
Aviation/Aviation Related Businesses (2)**********************
Jet AviationFrank Diglio
Signature Flight SupportRick Blaze
Signature Alt.Jim Phelps
Business Aviation Organization (1)**********************
MBAAJohn WilliamsX
NBAA (Alt. Org.)Ken Heider
**********************
General Aviation Organization (1)
Hanscom Pilots AssociationThomas HirschX
**********************
Ex-Officio Members
MassportSara ArnoldX
MassportBarbara Patzner
MassportCedric DanielX
MassportDorothy SteeleX
MassportTom Ennis
HAFB
FAABarry Morgan
MMNHPNancy Nelson