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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-10-26-GHTF-min.pdf GOVERNOR'S HANSCOM TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES October 26, 1976, Room G-15, Lexington Town Hall MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman R Langdon Wales , Lincoln Representative Arthur Barnes Norumbega Association Mike Goulian , Mass Aviation Frederick L Hafer, Bedford Representative Maurice J Nolan, Raytheon, A I M Mora C Rawlings , Concord Representative Evan Y Semerjian, Citizen's Aviation Policy Association Jacquie Smith, League of Women Voters, MAC ABSENT Representative Carol C Amick, 37th Middlesex District Senator Chester G Atkins , Middlesex. and Worcester Districts Senator John W Bullock, 4th Middlesex District Thomas P Callaghan, Massport Director of Community Affairs Michael W Christian, Massport Authority Board Representative Lincoln P Cole, Jr , 35th Middlesex District Representative Genevra R Counihan, 40th Middlesex District Representative Edward M Dickson, 38th Middlesex District Allan F Kenney, Lexington Representative Senator Ronald C MacKenzie, 5th Middlesex District Representative Robert A. Vigneau, 34th Middlesex District MASSPORT Albert V Bratt , Jr , Chief, Research and Analysis Tim Campbell , Staff assistant Frank Hidinger, Hanscom Airport Manager Richard E Mooney, Director of Aviation { STAFF Rita K Gilbert OTHERS PRESENT Dave Emerson, Mass Aviation Education Council William T Spencer, Merriam Hill Association Samuel Maddox, Minute Man Publications Vincent A Scarano, FAA Peter P Gallinaro, Burlington Bard Crawford , Merriam Hill Association Manfred P Friedman, CAPA, Lexington Planning Board -2- W � Chairman R. Langdon Wales opened the meeting at 7 30 p m He introduced Maurice Nolan, chairman of the Master Plan Subcommittee who presented the subcommittee's report (distributed in October 27 mailing to Task Force members) After members and participants had had the opportunity to comment on the overall report , detailed comments were heard by section from the first through the ninth These are summarized in attachment A In a discussion of schedule and procedure, it appeared that if the Task Force review was to be completed forthwith and the Massport I staff were similarly to complete their review quickly and transmit the results of the review to the consultants , then any additional work and publication would be complete in early December The Massport staff is fully committed to Logan activities right now Further, January would be a better time than December for public review of the report Therefore it was agreed that Task Force review of the report could be completed in two weeks Nolan is to write a statement of support for ESD for possible adoption at the next Task Force meeting It was therefore determined that all comments on the draft final report should be submitted to the staff office by Wednesday, November 3, and the Task Force would meet on November 9 to complete its review Mora Rawlings was introduced as the Concord representative, re- placing Dave Stephens whose outside interests have prevented his continuance on the Task Force The meeting was adjourned at 10 p m -1- Attachment A SUMMARY OF COMMENTS at October 26 meeting of the Governor's Hanscom Task Force 1. Although the report contained an exhaustive inventory, with the exception of the noise section it carried no sense of solution The overall Ldn noise averages were felt to be not so important in showing the nuisance value of noise as single large incidents 2 Bard Crawford said the inclusion of FAR Part 36 as a possible restriction raised objections on the grounds that it was not supported, and its introduction was seen as a possible trap He introduced data showing the regulation permitted more noise from larger planes 3 There were objections raised on the operational aspects of the plan - that land use was not fully treated, including Pine Hill , traffic flow, parking, itinerant flights , and the best land use This was responded to by Richard Mooney who said that was probably because of the specified "no expansion" aspect; the facility runs OK now, and with no expansion not much needs to be said 4 There is a need for a good map showing the Hanscom area as well as streets , highways, local zoning , and Hanscom Field boundaries 5 The access roads to Hanscom Field are not accurately described Although there is a 4-lane access road from 2A, 2A itself is but 2-lane 6 The profitability/deficit of Hanscom Field to Massport is not clear Mooney responded to this by saying that the figures on Hanscom Field were better than had been expected , and they were showing a profit, but growing costs could change this balance 7 It was suggested that the land inventory which included 4 categories should add a 5th one for buffer- and noise-zoned land, suitable for some airport-compatible use 8 In the section on inventory, the number of based aircraft was shown as 344, which was questioned It was pointed out that the average number per year, about 300, fluctuates by the season and it appears the number could be higher 9 It was noted that the fire trucks were not included in the inventory 10 The chart on page 3 23 was questioned, and Mike Goulian will check the figures 11 In the demand forecast, the economic and political factors are not spelled out, nor exactly where growth is going to take place The projections of increases of operations , population, and general aviation registration were felt to be unclear, and did not appear to mesh Some 1 Attachment A-2 explanation was offered in that general aviation figures are very hard to predict; the projections at Logan for instance, were much simpler It was felt that military activity deserved more detailed information in view of its importance to the area The impact of the ESD in par- ticular needs to be underscored 12 A terminal area map is needed with areas identified 13 The question of the feasibility and/or desirability of removing Pine Hill was brought up , and it was brought out that the hill is largely ledge and it is neither practical nor particularly necessary for it to be removed 14 In the financial part of the report, it was seen that for Massport, Hanscom Field has meant both additional income andadditionalexpense It was suggested that this be clarified to help the public better under- stand the total picture 15 The suggestion was again made that airport-compatible, industrial-related uses be applied to a portion of land to serve as a noise buffer as well as an economic asset The contour maps were criticized for lack of legi - bility, and the suggestion was made that they be consolidated on 1 page