HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-20-HFAC-minIV
Hanscom Field Advisory Commission
Minutes — December 20, 2011
Prepared by, Massport Staff
1. December Meeting: Thd'mAing was Y called to order by Chair, Jeanne Krieger. There
were no comments or corrections to the November meeting minutes. The minutes were
accepted.
2. Monthly Noise Report: Cedric Daniel presented the November noise report and in
response to questions noted that:
• Massport has reviewed year to date operations and estimates that total traffic for 2011
will compare to or be a little less than 2010 total operations.
• Massport will research and respond about possible activity that may be related to a noise
disturbance mentioned by Lincoln resident Gary Davis that occurred on 12/19/11 at 02:30
a.m.
• Resident G. Davis commented that he appreciated Massport's thorough and informative
response to the series of questions he submitted to HFAC in November regarding noise
abatement, Massport's communication procedures.
• Andy Applegate from the FAA informed the group that a recent helicopter operation at a
private residence in Lexington is undergoing a thorough investigation by the FAA.
Community representatives, intend to research other town's by -laws to determine how to
restrict this type of activity in the future.
• A. Applegate also informed the group that starting in January there will be a new
Hanscom Tower Manager, Daniel Obert. He stated that there is a standing, open
invitation for HFAC members to visit the tower and witness the operations first -hand.
3. Capital Programs and Third Party Development Reports: Dorothy Steele presented
the project reports and in response to questions noted that:
• Massport delayed starting the next ESPR process because there has not been any
significant development or operational changes at Hanscom since MEPA accepted the
conclusions of the 2005 ESPR. It is expected that Massport will begin scoping out the
next ESPR in 2012 and the community is encouraged to participate in the process.
• Massport Board meetings are open to the public (except executive sessions) and posted
on the Massport webpage.
• Massport is currently reviewing the three responses it received to the Hanscom/Worcester
FBO Development RFP. Massport cannot reveal the names of the interested parties while
the proposals are being evaluated.but the responses address the RFP's criteria and are
consistent with proposals made previously for similar RFP's. The location of the fuel
farm as described in the RFP will be relocated. Staff expects to present its
recommendation for development to the Massport Board in January 2012.
• The demolition of Hangar 24 is set for the beginning of 2012 once the environmental
permits are approved by MassDEP. Massport will not delay the demolition of the Hangar
to be contingent to a proposal acceptance and construction. Massport is anxious to
remove and preserve the items deemed of significant value through the MOA with MHC
for the development of the approved interpretive display.
• Massport has not had discussions with the United States Postal Service (USPS) in regard
to using Hanscom Field as a cargo flight center for the distribution of mail. Massport has
had discussions with the City of Boston and the USPS about the possible relocation of the
South Postal Annex adjacent to South Station to Massport owned South Boston property.
• This modernization project will produce 35 to 45 more new Jet Aviation jobs at
Hanscom.
• This proposal is directly linked to the jet maintenance facility currently being developed
at Westfield Airport that is supported by the Administration and state grants. All
maintenance of the Gulfstream jets will be done at Westfield Airport.
• D. Steele noted that it is the GA market, and industry demand that dictates the type of
development and operational proposals that are presented to Massport for Hanscom Field.
This proposal is consistent with accepted development impact scenarios that were
evaluated in past ESPR's.
• When questioned about the Airport Layout Plan D. Steele responded that any airside
change at the airport required an update of the ALP, and she note HFAC's request to
review the new ALP before it is submitted to the FAA for approval.
• Chair Krieger voiced concern that the Jet Aviation proposal does not fulfill the
commitment made to the community via a letter from former Massport CEO, Tom
Kinton, to Representative Kaufman, that development at Hanscom will have a "parallel"
development at Worcester. D. Steele responded the proposal does support the letter's
commitments and the criteria set by the Hanscom Field Master Plan. The Jet Aviation
plan is not promoting commercial or cargo operations and assists Massport to preserve
Hanscom's primary role as New England's premier full service GA airport. Massport will
continue to respond to and solicit GA business opportunities and infrastructure
development especially those, such as this, that support other GA related operations like
the aircraft maintenance facility at Westfield Airport.
Attendees: Jeanne Krieger, Jim Phelps, Andy Friedlich, Elise Woodward, Kati Winchell, Andy
Applegate, Richard Canale, Frank Diglio, Gary Davis, Mike Rosenberg and Tom Hirsch, Dorothy
Steele, Cedric Daniel.