HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-08-22-HFAC-rpt.pdf - I
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POLICY ON HANSCOM FIELD
The Board of Selectmen voted on August 22, 1977 to adopt the Policy Committee's
recommendations for the future use of Hanscom Field as follows
1. The character of the surrounding communities should be protected and
preserved.
2. Land uses around the perimeter of the airport should be compatible
with the uses in neighboring towns and with the present use of the
airport. Uses on both sides of the airport boundaries should be
planned in mutual cooperation.
3. The noise over the surrounding communities should not increase be-
yond what is today, and every effort should be made to progressively
reduce noise and other pollution resulting from present use.
1 . Those responsible for airport operation and those responsible for
operation of aircraft should continue to work diligently to reduce
noise and other pollution resulting from present use.
5. There should be no substantial changes in general aviation using
the airport which would result in more frequent flights or noisier
types of aircraft without consultation with the surrounding communities.
6. The utility of the airport as a transportation facility to the economy
of the region should be preserved, including its use by the Electronic
Systems Division of the Air Force.
7. Certified air carriers should be excluded from use of the airport.
8. Helicopters should not be excluded from use of the airport, provided
that adequate assurances can be obtained from Massport and helicopter
operators that proper flight patterns and noise abatement procedures
will be followed to prevent disturbance to the surrounding communities.
9. The present capacity (estimated to be 320,000 operations at the present
mix) should not be increased.
10. There should be no expansion of airfield facilities for the purpose
of increasing capacity or aircraft operations.
11. A noise abatement committee should be established by Massport and the
Governor's Hanscom Task Force or its successor to work with the commu-
nities , aircraft operators and FAA personnel in establishing proper
noise abatement procedures.
12 All proposed changes in ground traffic to and from Hanscom Field
through the surrounding towns should be discussed and planned with
the towns.
13. Aircraft which exceed certain noise emission ratings should be ex-
cluded from use of Hanscom Field beginning in 1980. It is intended
that this policy should not exclude those aircraft which serve the
U.S A.F. operations at Hanscom or those infrequent events such as
the arrival or departure of aircraft in which such area industries
as Raytheon are installing or shipping equipment.
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s.
14. Noise emission ratings should be adopted for Hanscom Fi -which
tend to prevent any increase in the overall average noir emission
characteristics of aircraft using the airport and which encourage
a reduction in such overall average This policy includes the con-
sideration of phased implementation of noise emission standards.
15. The presently operational informal curfew system should be con-
tinued in effect. C Ay if night operations become more numerous
so as to be judged objectionable by a Hanscom Noise Abatement
Cormittee should the curfew be made mandatory. In that event,
ho-wever, the hours should be from 11 P.M to 7 A.M. The airport
manager and Noise Abatement Committee should discuss additional
differential land fees. The practice of turning the lights off
at 11 P M should be continued
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• cc . Board lIembers
9/8/77
COPY TO Planning Board
12-29-77