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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-20-HFAC-min Hanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) Minutes Produced by: Massport Staff June 20, 2006 Introduction/Minutes: Hank Manz called the meeting to order. No corrections, additions or deletions were made to March meeting minutes. General Discussions : Richard Canale discussed a letter that he and Julian Bussgang presented to the Commission questioning the timeliness of Massport’s dissemination of information related to its projects and plans, especially environmental projects. It was noted that Massport regularly informs the community of upcoming and ongoing programs in a “project list” which is part of its monthly HFAC report. R. Canale sited the RFP for the public parking space as an example of the community not receiving timely information. Sara Arnold explained that the stated example occurred before the list of projects was included in the monthly report. D. Steele noted that Massport informs the public about important programs and projects through various Massport reports such as the State of Hanscom, RFP, and the ESPR and Runway Safety Area EIR processes. She also stated that Massport directly notifies the towns through phone calls and mailings when unexpected/unscheduled programs and issues arise. Hank Manz commented that it is important that he and Massport communicate prior to HFAC meetings and that he will follow-up with Dorothy Steele to develop a communication process. D. Steele agreed that the development of a HFAC agenda and its distribution to participants prior to the meeting would provide a basis for informed and meaningful discussion. A member asked if current and past noise reports, which are normally presented at monthly HFAC meetings could be made available online. S. Arnold noted that the report is a compilation of a variety of hard copy and electronic reports that are forwarded to Hanscom’s Noise Abatement unit for its use in compiling the information. In order for the information to be timely, much of it is not available until just before the meeting. She noted that in the future this may be possible with the new noise monitoring software. Hank Manz requested to meet with Massport soon to discuss ideas on creating an HFAC type website. Dorothy Steele agreed to the meeting. This year, the State of Hanscom was presented at the April meeting due to town representatives stated concerns that there were several town related meetings that may interfere with community folks ability to attend the March HFAC meeting. In addition, it could not be finalized in time for a proposed rescheduled HFAC date in early March. As attendance was low at the April meeting, it was suggested that the Commission make every effort to schedule the State of Hanscom presentation in March, so that it will not conflict with the April school break. A Massport sponsored tour of Hanscom, for the Commission was discussed. Massport will screen appropriate and necessary attendees calendars and attempt to schedule it for a date in early fall at 5:30 p.m. Massport will check with the FAA Tower to see if a tour of the tower, as part of the tour is feasible. Hank Manz questioned the need to have a July and August meeting. It was agreed not to hold a meeting in July but, the August meeting was tentatively scheduled and will be canceled if no urgent business warrants it. The Crosspoint project was discussed. D. Steele informed the Commission that the lease has yet to be signed and the contract is still in negotiations. The existing building, Hanger 24, is vacant and Crosspoint is conducting environmental soil testing. Once the lease is signed Massport will inform HFAC and coordinate a Crosspoint-presentation for the Commission. Members were informed that Thomas J. Kinton had been named as Massport’s interim executive Director. On behalf of HFAC, Hank Manz expressed an interest in reestablishing an annual meeting with Massport’s CEO at either a HFAC meeting or at Massport’s Executive Offices at Logan Airport. In addition, the HFAC chair and some members advocated for an occasional meeting to be held at Hanscom in order to put some of the issues, concerns and questions regularly discussed into context. D. Steele agreed to coordinate these meeting requests with Massport staff and HFAC. Sara Arnold presented the monthly noise report. She informed the group that Linear Air is operating a courier service in addition to its air taxi service. John Williams remarked that in the capital projects list, it shows a general projected schedule. At this time R. Canale noted that the EIR had a 45 day comment period in the list, probably in the summer, and he didn’t know how he would be informed about the beginning of the comment period. D. Steele said Massport’s policy has always been to contact the towns individually when projects and comment periods start. When asked, Massport described the Hanscom Airport Layout Plan (ALP) as a FAA required-graphic/illustrative reflection of those projects and general use plans discussed in the ESPR. A new ALP is currently being developed for Hanscom and will reflect projects such as Crosspoint in it. . Massport informed the Commission that it met with the Bedford Town Manager, Selectman and town Conservation Commission representatives in May to discuss the Vegetation Plan. S. Arnold mentioned that the eight mutli-lateration sensors for the new noise monitoring software have been installed. She also noted that Boston Maine Airways has notified Massport of its plans to add a route between Hanscom and Elmira, New York in the fall. Lastly, she mentioned the nighttime surcharge increase starting July 1, 2006 which prompted the idea that Massport should look into an “awards” program that acknowledges Hanscom-based operators’ consideration of nighttime operation impacts. Hank Manz said that he and John Williams would further discuss the possibility of coordinating a presentation on Very Light Jets (VLJ) at a future HFAC meeting. It was noted that an Eclipse recently visited Hanscom.