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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-15-HFAC-minHanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) Minutes —15 April 2025 Prepared by Massport Staff Video of HFAC Meeting on the Lincoln, MA TV Page: Mips://clvLAI.c,asfu—y/vod/l11Owl n/1ala e=I I 0MME HFAC Website:_ hflps://sites. m lexorn/view/hfac • Call to Order: HFAC Chairman Christopher Eliot called the meeting to order at 7:02pm Announcements: • Chairman Eliot recording HFAC Meeting; greeted all to April 15th meeting pursuant MA Open Meeting Law • Chairman Eliot asked for quarterly introductions from all HFAC members and Massport personnel • Chairman Eliot introduced new HFAC member, Bedford Selectman Terrence Parker; replacing Emily Mitchell • Chairman Eliot reported Sharon Williams was promoted to Director of Aviation Facilities & Passenger Servicesat Logan Air Field o Chris Willenborg comes from Westfield -Barnes Airport and will assume the Director position at Hanscom Field • Chairman Eliot informed HFAC the North Airfield Project group would like to speak at the next HFAC meeting Minutes: The March 2025 Meeting Minutes were reviewed for approval The March 2025 Meeting Minutes were approved 5-0 with the following amendments o Change "Route 2" to "Route 2A" in the Agenda Items section o Change Chairman Eliot's comment about the FAA's focus in the Agenda Items section to read, "safety doesn't include environmental hazards" Cargo or Scheduled Commercial Passenger Services Amber Goodspeed stated there have been no requests for future scheduled passenger or cargo service ■ Barbara Katzenberg asked for clarification on what constitutes scheduled passenger service. Amber Goodspeed explained that while there are no large airlines that operate fixed routes and schedules at Hanscom (FAA Part 121), FAA Part 135 (Commuter operations and on -demand charters) does allow for some scheduled flights. These Part 135 flights can be held out for public sale, but are limited to up to 4 round trips per week between the same two cities. Monthly Noise Reports: presented by Amber Goodspeed In March 2024 as compared to March 2025: • 7am - l 1pm operations decreased 13.2% in March 2025 • Singles (including touch and goes) decreased 11.8% in March 2025 • Turbo activity decreased 11.2% in March 2025 • Jet operations decreased 3.4% in March 2025 • Helicopter activity increased 0.8% in March 2025 • Night Operations (1lpm-7am) decreased 20.1% with 189 in March 2024 compared to 151 in March 2025 • Margaret Coppe requested documents 48 hours prior to HFAC meeting • Terri Ackerman asked for a column to be added that shows percentage of change • Terrence Parker queried about reduction in noise levels; Amber Goodspeed provided a brief explanation of how Day -Night Average Sound Level (DNL) is calculated and how correlated to historical low level of operations Agenda Items: Topics discussed on published agenda: Amber Goodspeed presented a summary of the annual State of Hanscom Report o Presented Hanscom Field operations, five year financial summary and forecast, economic benefits and capital projects in 2024; website: heaps://www.masspoit.com/hanscom-field/abut-hanscom/pablicali,onS re o o Margaret Coppe queried about Customs Fees; Amber Goodspeed explained Hanscom Field is a user fee airport so aircraft using Customs services are assessed a fee to be cleared through the Hanscom Field port of entry o Margaret Coppe queried about Parking Fees; Amber Goodspeed explained the Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) and car rental companies pay to rent vehicle parking spaces at Hanscom Field in the main lot o Terri Ackerman requested a more in-depth discussion about the revenues at Hanscom Field in the future o Terri Ackerman questioned why the total operations at Hanscom Field diminished in 2024; Amber Goodspeed explained that general aviation operations typically mirror the economy • Chairman Eliot opened continued discussion on Airport Community Concern for Lead o Thomas Hirsch presented information about study in Colorado town that indicated the aircraft were not contributing in any noticeable way to the basic lead level o Chairman Eliot quoted a study in California which found elevated levels of lead in the blood of children within one mile of some airports; different studies have produced conflicting results o Chairman Eliot requested input on two Draft Lead Statements which include references on lead with the intent to distribute information about the dangers of lead and encourage the discontinuation of leaded fuels in aviation o Terri Ackerman suggested alternate to the word "horrible"; HFAC agreed to use "extreme" o Thomas Hirsch established that last sentence refers to a severe problem at Hanscom Field without any supporting study or data; HFAC agreed to change to "urge FAA and Massport to recognize severity of problem" o Thomas Hirsch proposed to add that leaded aviation fuel is planned to be phased out by the end of 2030 o Patty Dahlgren queried about unleaded fuel tanks at the proposed North Airfield project; Thomas Hirsch surmised that any proposed fuel tank could hold leaded or unleaded fuel depending on need o HFAC voted unanimously to post Format 2 of the Draft Lead Statement with approved changes on the website • Margaret Coppe elected as new HFAC Chair in unanimous vote 5-0 o Chairman Eliot resigning as Chair due to family obligations; stated it has been an honor to serve • Thomas Hirsch reported an organization based at Hanscom Field is scheduled to get a new flight simulator by the end of the year for training purposes; may reduce number of flights • Capital Programs and Third Party Development Reports: Amber Goodspeed presented the Capital Programs and Third Party Development reports and noted that: • Vegetation Management plan has passed three of four Town Conservation Commissions; Concord in progress • Solar panel installation at the Airport Rescue and Firefighting Facility (ARFF) is still ongoing • Hanscom Field Terminal building project to begin with exterior addition of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps in May 2025 • Jennifer Boles queried about logging trucks on Hartwell Road; Amber Goodspeed stated the trucks were not from any Massport activity. • Citizen Comments: • Patty Dahlgren inquired about end of Air Force Family Camp lease in 2027 • Jennifer Bales asked if HFAC had any success at regaining funds from the MA State Legislature o Terri Ackerman will investigate with Towns; $15,000 needs to be spent by the end of June 2025 • Other Business: The date for the next HFAC meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on 20 May 2025 • The North Airfield group will give a 10 minute presentation at the May HFAC • Patty Dahlgren requested to add an Action Items section to the Meeting Minutes • Action Items: • More in-depth discussion about the revenues and economic benefits of Hanscom Field • Identify location the contractors for the taxiway improvement project are from • Add percentage change column in the operational numbers report • Post Draft Lead Statement to the HFAC website • Research Air Force Family Camp lease end plans • Investigate bureaucratic process to regain funds from the MA State Legislature • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m. Attendees: Christopher Eliot, Terri Ackerman, Margaret Coppe, Thomas Hirsch, Barbara Katzenberg, Terrence Parker, Amber Goodspeed, Mark Wimmer, Mike Vatalaro, Kay Cory Aubrey, Cindy Baxter, Jennifer Boles, Laura Bushell, Alex Chatfield, Patty Dahlgren, Amy McCoy, Ann Sobol and Rob Wood.