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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-17-HFAC-min Hanscom Field Advisory Commission Minutes June 17, 2003 1.Minutes: The May minutes were accepted. 2.Deicing Study: Keith Beasley from Massport noted that the Deicing Study, which was presented at the May HFAC meeting, is on the Massport website. He said that the study looks at the effects of aircraft deicing with propylene glycol, which is a current practice at Hanscom. It also looks at the potential effects of airfield deicing, which Massport is looking to implement next winter. He reported that he had prepared responses to the questions that were raised at the May HFAC meeting, and these were emailed with the May Minutes. Shelly Moll said that Bedford is particularly concerned about deicing because the town and its wells are downstream from the airport. He is asking the Bedford Conservation Commission to look at the study and comment. Perhaps they will make some recommendations regarding testing. Richard Canale said that the HATS Environmental Sub-Committee wants to understand the chemical and biological implications. They have questions about the data that was used to estimate the number of days when deicing would take place. The study based it on the days when the mean temperature was 32 degrees or less. He believes this is low and therefore questions whether Massport might go over 100,000 gallons of use in a year.Julian Bussgang asked for a copy of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. It was noted that the Massport Board doesn’t vote on whether the airport uses airfield deicers or not, although they did approve the operating budget, which includes costs for airfield deicing. Tenants on the field, not Massport, conduct aircraft deicing. 3.Monthly Noise Report: Sara Arnold distributed the monthly noise report. There were questions about runway use, which was clarified by pilots and Dave Bayley. The FAA Tower determines the preferred runway and pilots are most likely to use that runway. On occasion a pilot may choose to use a different runway, and this is allowed, although it may result in delays for the pilot. It was generally agreed that recent weather patterns have resulted in heavier than average use of Runway 11 over the past few months. S. Arnold reported that the nighttime field use fees are increasing on July 1 from $44 to $45 for aircraft that weigh 12,500 pounds or less and from $320 to $329 for aircraft that weigh over 12,500 pounds. The fee doubles after five operations in a calendar year. This reflects the US City Consumer Price Index increase of three percent. 4.Commercial Passenger/Cargo Update: Richard Walsh reported that there was nothing to report on passenger service. However, on Friday, June 13, FedEx contacted Massport requesting a meeting with Craig Coy. Richard contacted the four selectmen. The meeting was held on Monday. FedEx is interested in operating one round trip, using a stage 3 Airbus 300, to and from Hanscom between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Five trucks would meet the arrival, and 9 trucks would bring cargo to the aircraft for the departure. This results in 28 truck trips on the road. FedEx would like some office space and possibly hangar space, but they can load and unload the aircraft using trucks on the field. They want to start operating in the fall. Massport told FedEx that they need to submit a proposal and meet with HFAC. They are prepared to come to the July meeting. Regarding access to the field, FedEx was told that Massport prefers they use Hartwell Avenue and come through the Air Force Base since this would take the trucks through a commercial area. However, FedEx needs to work that out with the Air Force. Community members questioned whether this would work because of the security required at the Base. In response to questions, R. Walsh noted the following -If access through the Base isn’t possible, there are Massport gates that could be used by FedEx. These include the terminal gate, and the gate off Virginia Road by Hangar 24. -He is not aware that either FBO is involved with FedEx. -There is no further environmental review needed at this time. -The noise and economic implications will be reviewed at the July HFAC meeting, as stated in the Master Plan. -FedEx doesn’t operate out of Worcester although in the past Massport has encouraged FedEx to use Worcester; FedEx does use Manchester. -The earliest the Massport Board would take action on this would be September; the Board usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month. -David Jenson from Memphis is the FedEx project manager for this proposal. Community members said that FedEx may start with one flight, but it will grow, just as Shuttle America grew from its original four round trips. It was noted that the number of truck trips FedEx is proposing is the same number as studied in the ESPR. R. Walsh said that FedEx had previously contacted Massport about its interest in serving Hanscom, and this was reported to HFAC. Nancy Nelson said that she will look at the language in the U.S. District Court rulings regarding federal agency actions. She also said she would review Section 106 requirements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. HFAC discussed whether to have a July meeting. It was agreed that the towns could lose an opportunity to interact with FedEx if they don’t meet because the Massport Board could vote in September. Members agreed to develop questions for a July meeting. Questions that were initially identified were: -What access will be used? -What size trucks will be used? -What size facilities are needed? -What times will there be aircraft operations? -Where will the plane be based? -Who is the project manager from FedEx 5.Environmental Status and Planning Report (ESPR): R. Walsh reported that Massport held its first meeting for the Final ESPR on June 4, 2003. Attendance was low. The next meeting is on June 19, and the MEPA hearing is on June 25. Massport distributed 320 CDs, and there have been requests for approximately 20 hard copies. It was noted that HATS and the Environmental Sub-Committee sent letters to MEPA asking for a delay in the hearing. They are disappointed that there has been no response. 6.Nominating Committee Report: Margaret Coppe reported that she and Tom Hoban have been attempting to finalize a roster of HFAC members, she is attempting to establish when the different terms end based on some past information. 7.Revised Rates and Charges: Tom Hoban said that Massport has adopted a landing fee and increased the parking fees without any visible plan for administering them. S. Arnold said that Massport is planning to collect the landing fees, although there will be interim measures taken until that system is operational. Massport will be working with the tenants on this. Aircraft parking fees are already in place and will be collected according to past practice. 8.Planning Report: S. Arnold noted that a list of Massport capital projects and their status are included at the back of the noise report. In response to questions, she said that the parking lot project should be completed in late June/early July. Massport hasn’t received any news from Jet Aviation regarding its first right of refusal on the Hangar 1 site. The deadline is June 18, 2003. Frank Diglio said there would be a response. 9.Other: Sara Mattes expressed her disappointment that Massport hadn’t reported the national TSA cutbacks that were announced right after the May HFAC meeting. She is concerned about security but wonders whether there is a value in meeting with Massport on this issue. R. Walsh said that his offer stands to set up a meeting with her and other Selectmen and Massport security staff if she wants to provide some dates. Julian Bussgang confirmed which capital projects may require permitting: the Runway Safety Area project and the surfacing of the perimeter road to the north of Runway 29. HANSCOM FIELD ADVISORY COMMISSION DATE: June 17, 2003 HFAC MEMBER ATTENDEES CATEGORYNAMEIN ATTENDANCE ********************** Contiguous Towns (4) BedfordSheldon MollX Bedford Alt.Mark Siegenthaler Concord Concord Alt.Charles Blair LexingtonPeter Enrich Lexington Alt.Jeanne KreigerX LincolnSara MattesX Lincoln Alt.Sarah Holden ********************** Local Citizen Groups (2) So. LexMargaret CoppeX No. LexGraydon WheatonX ********************** Area Wide Organizations (2) LWVSusan SekulerX LWV Alt.Janet Kennedy ********************** Other Area Towns (2) CarlisleSteve LernerX WalthamRep. Tom Stanley Waltham Alt.Michael Squillante ********************** Businesses Basing Acft at Hanscom (2) East Coast AviationTom HobanX RaytheonMichael Burke ********************** Aviation/Aviation Related Businesses (2) Jet AviationFrank DiglioX Signature Flight SupportLarry JorashX Signature Alt.Paul Gamache ********************** Business Aviation Organization (1) NBAA ********************** General Aviation Organization (1) Hanscom Pilots AssociationThomas HirschX ********************** Ex-Officio Members MassportSara ArnoldX MassportRichard WalshX MassportCedric DanielX HAFBRhonda Siciliano FAADave BayleyX MMNHPNancy NelsonX