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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-21-HFAC-min Hanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) Minutes – 21 April 2026 Prepared by Massport Staff Video of HFAC Meeting on the Lincoln, MA TV Page: https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/lincoln/?page=HOME HFAC Website: https://sites.google.com/view/hfac  Call to Order: Chair Margaret Coppe called the meeting to order at 7:01pm  Announcements: st  Chair Coppe recording HFAC Meeting; greeted all to April 21 meeting pursuant to MA Open Meeting Law  Minutes: The March 2026 Meeting Minutes were reviewed for approval  The March 2026 Meeting Minutes were approved unanimously 3-0 with no amendments o Thomas Hirsch and Terrence Parker were not present to vote o Terri Ackerman abstained as she was not present at the March HFAC  Monthly Noise Reports: presented by Amber Goodspeed In March 2025 as compared to March 2026:  7am - 11pm operations increased 17.5% in March 2026  Singles (including touch and goes) increased 24.1% in March 2026  Turbo activity decreased 6.0% in March 2026  Jet operations increased 14.0% in March 2026  Helicopter activity increased 2.7% in March 2026  Night Operations (11pm-7am) increased 16.6% with 151 in March 2025 compared to 176 in March 2026  Amber Goodspeed researched data with Massport’s contractor about reporting aircraft types; need ability to pull data from indicated location and time of disturbance in order to analyze data; will update on any progress o Barbara Katzenberg shared Airnoise.io dashboard to provide example of information  Chair Coppe asked about Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) traffic for Summer 2026 o Amber Goodspeed explained that Massport is expecting an increase in traffic for FIFA  Capital Programs and Third Party Development Reports: Amber Goodspeed presented the Capital Programs and Third Party Development reports and noted that:  Vegetation Management Plan work at the Runway 29 end will recommence in April; maintenance afterward  High mast pole lighting replacement project has resumed and will continue through Spring and Summer of 2026  Water line replacement has resumed and is anticipated to be completed in May 2026  No update on the North Airfield Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Report (SDEIR)  Hanscom Terminal Building sewer main replacement completed; windows and HVAC work ongoing  Massport will present an updated Taxiway (TWY) ECHO plan and schedule at the May HFAC meeting  Cargo or Scheduled Commercial Passenger Services  Tradewind Aviation still on schedule for seasonal service to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard on 18 June 2026 o Chair Coppe asked if Tradewind passengers need TSA security screening; Amber Goodspeed will research  Agenda Items: Topics discussed on published agenda:  Amber Goodspeed presented the 2025 State of Hanscom; yearly review of 2025 accomplishments and 2026 plans o Section I, Hanscom Field Aircraft Activity; daytime operations decreased 2% from 2024 o Section II, Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2025; $300K operating surplus for Fiscal Year 2025 o Section III, Economic Benefits of Hanscom Activity; Massport performing new economic impact study o Section IV, 2025 Accomplishments and 2026 Objectives; proposed Hanscom Field FY26-FY30 Capital Projects o Chair Coppe queried about decrease in utility expenses; Amber Goodspeed will research o Terri Ackerman questioned ground rental increases; Amber Goodspeed cited renewed lease with Jet Aviation o Terri Ackerman inquired about increase in jets and operations; Amber Goodspeed indicated all types of jets trending up at Hanscom Field mirror national operations, where jet operations are also increasing o Chair Coppe wanted to verify economic report does not include Hanscom Air Force Base; only Hanscom Field o Jennifer Boles examined the location and rehabilitation of Taxiway Romeo; Amber Goodspeed denoted design listed in Appendix B in Hanscom Field Environmental Status and Planning Report (ESPR) o Stuart Trout asked if additional ramp connections to new North Hangars; no additional changes planned o Elizabeth Coules queried about wildlife on the airfield; Amber Goodspeed explained a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) wildlife representative traps and captures animals that are problematic  Chair Coppe submitted letter from resident about engine run-ups at Hanscom Field; Mark Wimmer will investigate o There is a 30 minute duration limit for running Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) at Hanscom Field  Terri Ackerman provided update on recent communications with Massport regarding legal process o Terri Ackerman, Terrence Parker and Megan Chapman met with Massport Legal a few times, last on 16 April o Massport referred questions about the screening process to Fixed Base Operators where flights are going through o Requested Massport join HFAC in supporting four priorities; Massport Legal needed more time to respond 1. Ensure full compliance with all applicable laws and constitutional protections 2. Prioritize passenger safety 3. Minimize fault and potential liability 4. Remain responsive to community concerns o Toby Sackton reiterated MA Governor Maura Healey supports denying deportation flights through Hanscom Field and the Governor’s Office is looking for solutions through legislative or executive orders o Tom Kimball asked about screening requirements at different airports; airport security screening is primarily under the jurisdiction of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and not Massport  Barbara Katzenberg and Terri Ackerman volunteered to form subcommittee to work on letter to Governor Healey  Citizen Comments:  Toby Sackton reported update on 60 seat rule; interest at all levels of the government but no legislative action  Elizabeth Coules queried about update on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF); Christopher Eliot provided his opinion that price supports are needed to make SAF successful, but physical limits will reduce production  Other Business: The date for the next HFAC meeting will be at 7:00 pm on 19 May 2026 o Massport will provide update on Taxiway ECHO project at May HFAC o No HATS meeting scheduled for the near future  Action Items:  Amber Goodspeed will research decrease in utility expenses in FY25  Massport will research Tradewind passenger screening process  HFAC subcommittee work on letter to Governor Healey  Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Attendees: Margaret Coppe, Terri Ackerman, Christopher Eliot, Barbara Katzenberg, Amber Goodspeed, Mike Vatalaro, Mark Wimmer, Ray Andrews, Win Bland, Jennifer Boles, Alex Chatfield, Elizabeth Coules, Patty Dahlgren, Corrine Doud, Ira Goldman, Livia Imada, Tom Kimball, Patty Lynch, Trish O’Hagan, Jean Rabovsky, Sam Rolley, Toby Sackton, Anne Sobol, Stuart Trout and Veronica Wirtz.