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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-21-HFAC-minHanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) Minutes – 21 November 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 November 21st meeting pursuant MA Open Meeting Law • Chairman Eliot reported the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final determination about emissions of lead from aircraft; EPA has already begun work to consider regulatory options • Amber Goodspeed announced Massport website will have a graphics refresh; same information, different look • Chairman Eliot publicized Concord Community Forum on 6 Dec at 6pm at Goodwin Forum, Concord Free Library • Minutes: The October 2023 Meeting Minutes were reviewed for approval • The October 2023 Meeting Minutes were approved unanimously with the following amendments: o Under Agenda Items, correct the spelling of Barbara Katzenberg’s last name o Under Agenda Items, correct the spelling of Chairman Eliot’s last name o Under Citizen Comments, Margaret Coppe requested elucidation on the “three tenants are the same” bullet • 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 October 2023 as compared to October 2022: • 7am - 11pm operations increased 7.9% in October 2023 • Singles (including touch and goes) increased 15.6% in October 2023 • Turbo activity increased 3.5% in October 2023 • Jet operations increased 0.5% in October 2023 • Helicopter activity increased 3.7% in October 2023 • Night Operations (11pm-7am) decreased 11.1% with 262 in October 2022 compared to 233 in October 2023 • Thomas Hirsch commented on correlation between increase in total operations, lower EXP and noise complaints o Amber Goodspeed surmised single engine pistons were bulk of increase of aircraft mix • Margaret Coppe asked for clarification on three tables from Annual Noise Report, specifically why one estimated o Amber Goodspeed will assess language on tables for the December HFAC • Capital Programs and Third Party Development Reports: Amber Goodspeed presented the Capital Programs and Third Party Development reports and noted that: • No updates for the Capital Projects Report • Kati Winchell asked for summary of Fixed Base Operator (FBO) projects over last year o Signature built new FBO facility and demolished the old facility; no new aircraft hangars o Atlantic Aviation construction process started seven years ago to include demolition of old Pine Hill T Hangars and replaced with corporate hangars on old site and eight box hangars in the North Airfield area o There has been no construction at the Jet Aviation FBO • Agenda Items: Topics discussed on published agenda: • Chairman Eliot queried about funding for a mobile lab study around Hanscom Field by Dr. Neelakshi Hudda from Tufts University; 10 month study budgeted out for $50,000 or 12 months for $65,000 o Chairman Eliot proposed asking Massport Community Advisory Committee (MCAC) for half of funding and four surrounding towns (Bedford, Concord, Lexington and Lincoln) to split cost for remaining half o Emily Mitchell indicated Town of Bedford has already approved $6,250 for the study but probably not more o Tom Hirsch suggested soliciting private donations; Emily Mitchell informed Towns unable to solicit funds • Chairman Eliot researched HFAC Budget and determined a fiscal agent is required o HFAC agreed to have Chairman Eliot ask the Town of Lincoln to be fiscal agent o HFAC requested that Mark Wimmer of Massport continue transcribing monthly Meeting Minutes o Emily Mitchell suggested HFAC host its own simple website to post information and documents; Chairman Eliot will research and HFAC will discuss again in December meeting • Chairman Eliot believes HFAC should develop own vision on how Hanscom Field should be operated o Margaret Coppe would like time to study; Emily Mitchell recommended HATS better suited to outline a vision • Chairman Eliot queried about legislative presentation that modified North Airfield project from 27 to 17 hangars and claimed reduction in ferry flights by 250 a month / 3000 a year • Chairman Eliot requested update on publish date of the Environmental Planning and Status Report (ESPR) o Amber Goodspeed estimated release of document sometime in the first quarter of 2024 • Citizen Comments: Citizens commented on and/or asked about the following topics • Jennifer Boles asked clarification on size and hangaring of jets in box hangars that replaced of Pine Hill T hangars • Anne Sobol had questions on the number of based jets at Hanscom Field; Tom Hirsch suggested AirNav website • Anne Calhoun expressed concerns regarding helicopters flying over Battle Road Farm area • Karlen Reed from League of Women Voters, Concord/Carlisle, reiterated invite to 6 Dec forum in person / Zoom • Other Business: The date for the next HFAC meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on 19 Dec 2023 via Zoom • On the December agenda will be discussion on how to spend HFAC budget • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m. Attendees: Christopher Eliot, Margaret Coppe, Thomas Hirsch, Emily Mitchell, Amber Goodspeed, Mike Vatalaro, Mark Wimmer, Stephan Bader, Rich Baughman, Cindy Baxter, Christopher Boles, Jennifer Boles, Anne Calhoun, Alex Chatfiled, Patty Dahlgren, Bob Dorer, Corinne Doud, Leslie Kilgore, Jeanne Krieger, Alexandra Marshall, Amy McCoy, Trisha O’Hagan, Karlen Reed, David Skyes, Anne Sobol, Laura Thompson ,Aaron Toffler and Kati Winchell.