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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-17-HFAC-minHanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) Minutes – 17 October 2023 Prepared by Massport Staff Video of HFAC Meeting on the Lincoln, MA TV Page: https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/lincoln/?page=HOME • Call to Order: HFAC Chairman Christopher Eliot called the meeting to order at 7:01pm • Announcements: • Chairman Eliot recording HFAC Meeting; greeted all to October 17th meeting pursuant to MA Open Meeting Law • Chairman Eliot expressed sympathy for victims of the West Bank attacks and hoped for peace in the Middle East • Chairman Eliot dropped multiple documents into the chat to include: Massport Community Advisory Committee (MCAC) and Quiet Community’s comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the Noise Policy Review, first MA aircraft charging station and Hanscom AFB Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting slides • Chairman Eliot reported the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) endangerment findings on aviation lead emissions will be released this Fall • Minutes: The September 2023 Meeting Minutes were reviewed for approval • The September 2023 Meeting Minutes were approved unanimously with the following amendments: o Under Other Business, correct the date for the next HFAC Meeting o Tom Hirsch requested his comment under Citizen Comments be amended to add “at times” • Cargo or Scheduled Commercial Passenger Services • Amber Goodspeed stated there have been no requests for future scheduled passenger or cargo service • Monthly Noise Reports: presented by Amber Goodspeed In September 2023 as compared to September 2022: • 7am - 11pm operations increased 3.1% in September 2023 • Singles (including touch and goes) increased 2.2% in September 2023 • Turbo activity increased 1.3% in September 2023 • Jet operations increased 9.5% in September 2023 • Helicopter activity decreased 2.0% in September 2023 • Night Operations (11pm-7am) increased 0.9% with 232 in September 2022 and 234 in September 2023 • Capital Programs and Third Party Development Reports: Amber Goodspeed presented the Capital Programs and Third Party Development reports and noted that: • Salt storage shed relocation project bid will be posted in November 2023 • Construction continues at Atlantic Aviation at Pine Hill; expected to be completed in Spring 2024 • The North Airfield Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) is expected to be released in Winter of 2023-24 • Phase 1 of the Runway 05/23 Rehabilitation Project has been completed; Phase 2 will be in summer 2024 o Returned nine acres of impervious surface to grass and replaced all of the runway edge lights with LEDs o No traffic complaints were received • Agenda Items: Topics discussed on published agenda: • Dr. Neelakshi Hudda, a research assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Tufts University presented Impacts of Jet Emissions on Air Quality Outside and Inside Residences in Near-Airport Communities o Dr. Hudda’s main area of research is urban air pollution with a focus on transportation emissions o Dr. Hudda explained the metric for concentration of emissions is ultrafine particles o Michael Dukes will share the work presented by Dr. Hudda with the FAA environmental analysts o Chairman Eliot queried about a study around Hanscom Field; Dr. Hudda agreed if arrangements can be made o Emily Mitchell indicated that she would look into process for a request for proposal for a study to be performed • Chairman Eliot concluded HFAC will wait until DEIR is published to comment further on North Airfield Project o Emily Mitchell stated that a letter to Governor Healy from all four Towns is out for signatures o Barbara Katzenberg had questions about the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA) scoping document versus the DEIR; the DEIR answers the questions raised from the scoping document o Margaret Coppe queried about DEIR comment period; normal is 30 days but can be extended by developer o Barbara Katzenberg asked about workflow; MEPA reviews to determine if it meets environmental guidelines • Chairman Eliot had discussion with MA Senator Michael Barrett about aviation centric legislation he is working on such as ending MA sales tax exemption on aircraft, aircraft parts and fuel and prioritizing emissions reductions • Citizen Comments: Citizens commented on and/or asked about the following topics • Jennifer Boles asked about sending Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper information presented by Dr. Hudda o Chairman Eliot agreed to draft proposed study scope to Secretary Tepper; will collaborate with Dr. Hudda • Jennifer Boles had question about helicopters in the box hangars at Hanscom Field; three existing helicopter tenants were also tenants in the old Pine Hill hangars that were torn down • Other Business: The date for the next HFAC meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on 21 Nov 2023 via Zoom • Chairman Eliot will try to reschedule Chuck Collins to speak at the November HFAC meeting • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Attendees: Christopher Eliot, Margaret Coppe, Barbara Katzenberg, Thomas Hirsch, Mark Giddings, Emily Mitchell, Amber Goodspeed, Mike Vatalaro, Mark Wimmer, Michael Dukes, Lindsey White, Cindy Baxter, Christopher Boles, Jennifer Boles, Patty Dahlgren, Michael Dukes, Neelakshi Hudda, S. Lance, Amy McCoy, Paula Rose, Mike Rosenberg and David Skyes. In addition, there were several unidentified attendees.