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Hanscom Field Advisory Commission
Minutes February 21, 2012
Prepared by Massport Staff
1. February Meeting
: The meeting was called to order by Jeanne Krieger. There were
questions by members that did not attend the January meeting and, after follow-up
discussions, and the acknowledgement of a needed typo correction, the minutes were
accepted.
2. Monthly Noise Report:
Cedric Daniel presented the January noise report and in
response to questions noted that:
Massport does present and analyze historical data, many years back to current
monthly figures. This historical data is included the annual noise report and is
also discussed during the annual noise report presentation to HFAC.
The voluntarily noise mitigation program for touch and go traffic over the
National Park been very successful. Massport meets quarterly with flight schools
and the FAA Tower to review program data, discuss how to improve the
program, and ensure that pilots are educated and updated on program procedures.
conducting flights during nighttime hours from
th
February 29 to the end of March. Operations will be limited to smaller piston
engine aircraft.
3. Monthly Third party Development and Capital Program Reports
: Dorothy
Steele presented the reports and in response to questions noted that:
Massport is uncertain if the Town of Bedford has formally contacted the Navy
and GSA regarding their assumed interest in acquiring the upper portion of the
Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant. The federal government performed an
environmental review of this property before releasing it for acquisition.
The Hanscom Field and Worcester Airports FBO RFP was developed
specifically linking development at each airport as requested by the Hanscom
community. Massport did not commit to equal development scenarios at each
airport.
Streamline is not required to inform Massport of possible new routes based on
their US DOT designation but has committed to inform the community, as a
courtesy, if their operational plans change significantly or new routes are
approved by US DOT. Streamline has not informed Massport of any operational
changes.
Massport has not had any discussions with cargo facility or commercial air
operators.
4. Proposed 2012 Hanscom Field ESPR
: Betty Desrosiers briefed the group on the
proposed 2012 ESPR. The document provides a retrospective analysis of current year
operations and impacts and makes forecasts on projected activities, providing a
planning and environmental perspective on the cumulative impact of projects. There
was discussion about the history of the document, and the proposed community
participation schedule. In response to questions B. Desrosiers noted that:
MEPA requires Massport to submit an ESPR every five years.
The proposed scope will be submitted to MEPA on February 29, 2012 which will
open the public discussion.
Massport is proposing an extension to a
total of 45 days.
Massport does not expect to hold pre-scoping sessions.
The primary factors that drive the forecasts are industry, socioeconomic trends.
The baseline year for the report will be 2012 with forecasted years of 2020 and 2030.
Massport encourages and benefits from the community
and is willing to sponsor as many meaningful community meetings to discuss the
scope as needed, during the 45 comment period.
The report will include past subject matters like noise, ground transportation, air
quality, and will look at natural, historic and cultural resources, and environmental
sustainability. .
There is internal discussion on whether this report will include a high growth
scenario as in past reports.
The draft scope will be distributed to a wide range of interested parties including the
area towns, elected officials, and HFAC etc. by mail; the proposed scope will also be
available on www.massport.com .
The report will be produced with the viewpoint that Hanscom Air Force Base is in
operation.
The report is expected to be completed and made public in the fall 2013.
Attendees
: Jeanne Krieger, Frank Diglio, Jim Phelps, Ford Von Weise, Andy Friedlich, Kati
Winchell, Andy Applegate, Tom Hirsch, Nancy Nelson, Greg Howes, Hank Manz, Dee Ortner,
Margaret Coppe, Betty Desrosiers, Dorothy Steele, and Cedric Daniel.