HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-16-HFAC-min
Hanscom Field Advisory Commission
Minutes June 15, 2010
Prepared by Massport Staff
1. Minutes:
The meeting was called to order by Jeanne Krieger. There were no
comments on the May Minutes.
2. The Commission:
There was discussion about
Coppe agreed to serve on a HFAC Nominating Committee, and over the summer she will
collect information about membership that she has in her files. An effort will be made to
fill open seats as identified in the legislation that created HFAC.
3. Stormwater Report:
J. Krieger reported that, as requested during the April HFAC
deicer discussion, Massport sent her a copy of the recently prepared Shawsheen River
stormwater report that Massport submitted to the Department of Environmental
Management. She noted that nothing was detected.
4. Resident Concerns about Aircraft Operations:
M. Coppe reported that two
residents had contacted her and had expressed concern about the size of some aircraft that
had used Hanscom recently. She stated that she informed the residents that the activity
they were referring to were probably chartered aircraft for a sports team and that there is
no commercial service at Hanscom. Massport staff assured her that there had been no
unusual activity at the airport and her response to the residents was correct.
5. FAA Funding of Airfield Projects:
In response to questions, Sara Arnold explained
that in order for Hanscom to receive $1M in FAA entitlement money, Hanscom must
meet two requirements during the calendar year: 1) have commuter/commercial airline
service and 2) have at least 10,000 enplanements. The enplanements are based on the
number of departing passengers on any FAA Part 121 or Part 135 operations, which
include commuter/commercial operations, air taxi services and charters. These
requirements were last met in 2008, and the last project using FAA entitlement money
was resurfacing Taxiway Echo in 2009. Hanscom may also receive FAA discretionary
funds when Congress approves FAA funding packages.
6. Monthly Noise Report
S. Arnold presented the May noise report.
7. Hanscom Projects:
The monthly Capital Program and Third Party Development
status report was presented. In response to questions, Dorothy Steele and S. Arnold
explained:
Hangar 24 next steps include meeting all Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
requirements; the MOA was signed by the FAA, Mass. Historical Commission,
and Massport. The MOA requirements include preparing documentary
photographs and salvaging some materials from the site.
PAL, is working with Massport to fulfill these obligations. Massport is preparing
a Request for Interest or a Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the site.
There could be a new Fixed Base Operator (FBO) or a current FBO interested in
developing the site. It is anticipated that the hangar could be removed before the
end of the year.
Massport has signed a license agreement with the owner of 15 De Angelo Street
in Bedford that allows Massport to install the Site 34 noise monitor in a location
that should not be vulnerable to being hit by a truck. It is anticipated that the
monitor will be installed before the end of June.
Massport has not had discussions with commercial or cargo operators.
8. Massport Development:
recent purchase of
Worcester Airport. In response to questions, D. Steele explained:
Massport will work with Worcester to address ground access issues. She noted
that having a three airport system should improve efficiency. While Hanscom
could handle commuter or cargo operations, increases in the general aviation
facilities will reduce or eliminate room for commercial or cargo facilities.
In response to comments about local zoning, D. Steele said that Massport is not
subject to local zoning, but Massport has traditionally complied with local zoning
parameters for non-aviation development.
9. Other:
D. Steele reported that Massport has been working with the Minute Man National
Historical Park and local pilots to develop and encourage the use of
recommended touch-&-go procedures that will reduce disturbing flights over the
Park. This is in response to Park concerns that their outdoor interpretive talks
and programs can be interrupted by noisy aircraft.
S. Arnold reported that, effective July 1 the nighttime field use fee is increasing
2.3 percent, per the Consumer Price Index.
10. Next Meeting:
There will be no meetings during the months of July and August.
The next HFAC meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2010.
Massport will look into hosting a HFAC meeting at Hanscom Field in the near
future and provide a tour of the facility. Massport will need to have some idea of
attendance prior to the meeting.
il September, Massport was asked to distribute
the monthly noise/project updates in July and August.
Attendees
: Dorothy Steele and Sara ArnoldMassport; Tom HirschHanscom Pilots
Association; Jeanne Krieger, Margaret Coppe, and Deb MaugerLexington, and Elise
WoodwardConcord.