HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-18-HFAC-min
Hanscom Field Advisory Commission
Minutes
December 18, 2007
Prepared by Massport Staff
1.Minutes:
The attendees were informed that a minor correction was made to the
previously distributed November Minutes that corrected the December HFAC
notification date from December 15 to December 18. As requested and noted in the
November minutes, Dorothy Steele distributed a packet of correspondence regarding
AOPA’s challenge to Hanscom’s nighttime field use fee.
2. Runway Safety Area:
Hank Manz informed the group that the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) held a public hearing on the runway safety area project
the previous afternoon at Hanscom Field. Written comments to DEP are due January 14,
2008. It was noted that representatives from the Concord and Bedford Conservation
Commissions attended and appeared to be well versed on the project. Margaret Coppe
attended from Lexington. Massport staff agreed to verify that both wetland replication
areas are within Bedford.
3.Monthly Noise Report:
Sara Arnold presented the monthly noise report. It was noted
that the November Boston-Maine Airways report will be included next month.
In response to questions regarding the new noise monitoring system, S. Arnold and
Dorothy Steele explained that:
Completion of the new noise monitoring system is expected in 2008.
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The new system is expected to facilitate Massport’s ability to correlate noise
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complaints with noise sources. Reliable correlations will be dependent on
accurate reporting on the part of the complainant.
Massport will have a more detailed interactive website for the public to use to
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identify possible noise sources.
With the new improved system, aircraft will be able to be tracked to as low as 200
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feet, compared to the current system’s ability which tracks aircraft down to about
600 feet.
Consistent with the old system, the new system will show aircraft that are flying
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Visual Flight Rules but will not identify those aircraft; nor will it identify military
aircraft.
The new upgraded system was initiated by Massport’s former CEO as a premier
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communication tool for the public.
Raw data will not be available on-line, but Massport will respond to specific
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requests for detailed noise data.
The new system will not replace existing Massport staff but is expected to reduce
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the manual data entry that is currently required to produce reports such as EXP.
Massport staff assisted the National Park in collecting noise data for their
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soundscape study but those data were not designed for use in the new noise
monitoring system.
D. Steele responded to Tom Hirsch’s questions regarding community input to the noise
system’s website. She noted the following:
Massport presented an overview of the project’s approved scope and how it would
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be implemented.
There was a subsequent meeting with resident representatives to discuss their
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expectations of the new system.
At Massport’s request, the communities selected several residential
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representatives to participate in a survey. Massport asked two aviation
representatives to also participate. The survey was used to guide the type of
information that would be developed for the web.
Resident representatives reviewed a wireframe of the new system and offered
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suggestions to improve the “look and feel” of the website design to ensure “ease
of use” for the average user.
All the text for the new site is being produced internally, but the site is being built
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by professional web designers, under Massport contract.
4. Capital Projects/Development:
In response to questions, S. Arnold and D. Steele
explained that:
Jet Aviation ramp expansion is still on hold.
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Massport is still interested in responding to inquiries for new hangar space by
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pursuing development of the East Ramp. This location was explored in the 2005
ESPR for Hanscom.
Massport is finalizing its response to comments submitted to the Massachusetts
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Historical Commission regarding the development of Hangar 24 and Massport’s
draft Memorandum of Agreement. It is expected that the comments will be
complete by the end of 2007 or shortly thereafter.
5. Other:
H. Manz suggested the Commission follow-up on John William’s idea of
exploring ideas for development that all parties in HFAC could support. He suggested
this be undertaken in February. D. Steele commented that Massport would be interested
in participating in such a discussion. D. Steele noted that Massport is supportive of
business initiatives that help to financially sustain the safety and security of the traveling
public and Hanscom tenants and that support Hanscom’s role in the regional aviation
system. S. Arnold noted that Massport has a legal obligation to maintain the airfield for
use by Hanscom Air Force Base. H. Manz reminded the group that all Lexington
Selectmen are supportive of the Base and that the discussion should keep the needs of the
Base in mind.
The next meeting was set for January 15, 2008.
HANSCOM FIELD ADVISORY COMMISSION
DATE: 12/18/07
HFAC MEMBER ATTENDEES
CATEGORYNAMEIN ATTENDANCE
**********************
Contiguous Towns (4)
BedfordGordon Feltman
Bedford Alt.
ConcordAnne Shapiro
Concord Alt.Charles Blair
LexingtonHank ManzX
Lexington Alt.Michael Barrett
LincolnSara Mattes
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 BlazeX
Signature Alt.Jim Phelps
Business Aviation Organization (1)**********************
MBAAJohn Williams
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 MorganX
MMNHPNancy Nelson