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Home My WebLink About2008-07-15-HFAC-min Hanscom Field Advisory Commission Minutes July 15, 2008 Prepared by Massport Staff 1.Minutes: Hank Manz called the meeting to order and commented that he will post the May HFAC Minutes on the HFAC website. He invited individual comments/questions from each person in the room. 2. Development Projects: Dorothy Steele offered a status report and responded to questions regarding: Hangar 24 - The FAA will hold a Section 106 public information meeting regarding Hangar 24 on July 17 at 7:00 p.m. Community members feel strongly that Massport should be presenting a specific proposal for a replacement hangar for Hangar 24 so that the communities can understand what will replace the hangar if the project moves forward. It was noted that Concord’s Demolition Delay By-law requires a proponent to demonstrate what will replace a building that is subject to the by-law. In response to comments and questions regarding this issue, Dorothy Steele explained that:  Massport’s planning reports have consistently identified the Hangar 24 site for hangar development. Currently, there is no specific hangar replacement proposal.  Future changes to the Airport Layout Plan regarding this site will be determined after the FAA completes its Section 106 review.  Hangar 24/Massport is not subject to the Concord Demolition Delay By- law.  There continue to be parties who are interested in developing the Hangar 24 site. East Ramp - Development on the East Ramp is still being considered. Massport is conducting a utility use analysis and is reviewing the potential for this site. D. Steele agreed to see if there is any additional information that she can bring to the September meeting. 3.Capital Projects: Dorothy Steele and Sara Arnold discussed the following and addressed questions regarding: Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) -Massport will present a VMP update on th July 29 at 7 p.m. in Cary Memorial Hall, Lexington. The presentation will include a review of the 2003-2008 VMP program results. In addition, a review of plans for 2009-2013 will be presented. HFAC was informed that the meeting was advertised in the four town’s local newspapers and forwarded to HFAC and HATS for their dissemination to other interested parties. Copies of the meeting notice were also made available. H. Manz added that the meeting will be televised. D. Steele reported that Massport recently met with Conservation Commission staff members from the four towns to present an overview of the project. She will email a copy of the attendance list to the HFAC chair. In response to questions about the vegetation issues at the Runway 23 end, D. Steele explained that although the Runway 23 end is in the scope of the program Massport will work directly with Bedford on those issues, so specifics regarding that portion of the project will not be available at the July 29th meeting. Runway Safety Area (RSA): Work on the RSA project is set to begin in mid- August and should take approximately three months. Construction will take place during daytime hours and Runway 5/23 will be closed intermittently when construction crews are working at the runway ends. Noise Monitoring System: The target date for the noise monitoring system upgrade will be changed to “2009” on the project summary sheet. A lot of progress on this project has been seen internally in recent months, and acceptance testing for the core components has been initiated. Getting to this point has involved some unexpected challenges and has taken more time than originally anticipated. As a result, the website component is not ready to be made available. Perimeter Road: The perimeter road project has been removed from the Capital project summary sheet because current projects being pursued don’t require a new perimeter road. If the road becomes necessary in the future, the project will be put back on the list. 4. Monthly Noise Report: Sara Arnold presented the monthly noise report and explained that the nighttime field use fee increased four percent, effective July 1. The $50 fee increased to $52, and the $367 fee increased to $382. These fees double for an aircraft that operates more than five times in a calendar year. In response to questions, she explained that:  The Stage 2 civilian aircraft most commonly seen at Hanscom are older model Gulfstreams, Falcons, Learjets and Sabreliners.  Military aircraft are not subject to the restrictions that apply to civilian jets. Military aircraft at Hanscom may be Stage 2 or even Stage 1, the noisiest aircraft in the U.S. fleet. 5. Community Issues: There were other questions/topics raised during the meeting, as follows:  Massport has re-entered into a contract with Hanscom Air Force Base for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) services, effective May 1. The HAFB fire department has mutual aid agreements with the surrounding towns.  Massport conducted a successful emergency exercise on June 4. Fire departments from the surrounding towns participated.  Sara Mattes reported that a consultant representing the Massachusetts Aviation Historical Society (MAHS) contacted her asking to interview her about having an air and space museum at Hanscom. She also received a packet of material from MAHS indicating that they are already designing a facility for a site-specific location at the airport. She asked if Massport has entered into an agreement with them. D. Steele said that Massport has identified possible sites on airport property for a museum, but there is no formal/written agreement or lease. MAHS has not submitted any formal request or plans to Massport and were advised to share ideas with the community.  R. Canale asked if there have been any cargo discussions that would impact Hanscom as a result of the New England Airport Study. Part of the study concluded that cargo operations should move to regional airports because of space limitations at Logan. D. Steele replied that she is not aware of any such cargo discussions but she will ask and will report back to HFAC if there have been.  D. Steele noted that there have been no recent discussions with cargo operators or commercial service carriers about serving Hanscom.  The next meeting will be the third Tuesday in September. HANSCOM FIELD ADVISORY COMMISSION DATE: 7/15/08 HFAC MEMBER ATTENDEES CATEGORYNAMEIN ATTENDANCE ********************** Contiguous Towns (4) BedfordMike RosenbergX 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 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 Morgan MMNHPNancy Nelson