The Plymouth Airport Commission held their regular Commission Meeting on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. in the Airport Conference Room. Present were Chairman Kenneth E. Fosdick, Vice Chairman Douglas R. Crociati and Commissioners Kenneth L. Laytin, Dennis R. Smith and Paul G. Worcester. Also present was Jeff Adler, DuBois & King, Inc, and Airport Manager Thomas Maher. Commissioner William D. Burke andThomas W. Hurley were absent.
Disclosure: These minutes are not verbatim – they are the secretary’s interpretation of what took place at the meeting. - Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A§22.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: August 10 22, 2017 Commission meetings- Commissioner Worcester made the motion to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2017 meeting as written. Vice Chairman Crociati seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Vice Chairman Crociati made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 22, 2017Special meeting. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion subject to changing tenants to stakeholders in the second paragraph on page two. Vote was unanimous.
1.Review Noise/Safety Complaints -Manager Maher advised that there were numerous complaints in August. One complainant indicated that he has lived here15 years and it’s always been a problem to the northeast of the airport. Manager Maher went tothe neighborhood and observed aircraft operating in the area. He also checked altitude with a pilot in the pattern to determine its height and it was higher than the complainant thought. Manager Maher will work with the flight schools to educate them on the noise sensitive areas. Continued education is the key.
APPOINTMENTS
7:15 PM Update by Jeff Adler D&K regarding
1)Runway extension project – The reseeding by Lawrence Lynch will begin soon.
2)Conservation restriction – Still in process. Continuing item
3)Environmental Assessment
a)Natural Heritage (NH) grassland bird study -Mr. Adler briefed that the meeting with Mass DOT Aeronautics regarding concerns with the mitigation area was concerning but that the end result was that Plymouth could continue with the permitting process.The Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) checklist has been filed with Natural Heritage. Mr. Adler anticipated a final grassland bird study document for review soon.
b)Delta taxiway - Continuing item.
c)Re-designation of stop way to displaced threshold- Continuing item.
4)Tank farm project, T.Maher – Manager Maher expects Fuel Tech to be here next week to hook up the pump station and offer training. Once the new tank is operational the airport will be in compliance with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations.
5)CIP Capital Improvement Plan draft – Mr. Adler rearranged the projects to reflect Plymouth Airport’s priorities and will meet with FAA and MAC to determine funding availability.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Review report concerning New Hangar Construction, Mike Orla – Manager Maher received an update from Mr. Orla and he plans to have equipment on site soon.
2. Review reports concerning new construction, proposed buildings, Ben Bailey – Manager Maher indicated that Mr. Bailey told him that he has permits from the Town. There is no word yet on the Mosquito Control bid. Manager Maher was told that the new parking area for Cape Cod Community College will begin construction soon.
3. American Velodur, lease non-compliance and hangar status – Attorney Galvin will proceed with the process of giving notice to the Attorney General that the addresses for American Velodur are wrong and that the airport has exhausted their options and are therefore notifying the Secretary of State that American Velodur is in violation of their lease and must vacate the property.
4. Beaton Bog, Electrical line easement – Jeff Adler sent the wetland delineation plan to Beaton Bog as requested.
5. Gate 6 Access Road master plan – Manager Maher briefed that at the last meeting Commissioner Laytin suggested that the Commission discuss the idea of a potential access road from Federal Furnace to S Meadow. The Commission requested that Mr. Adler determine possible routes to accomplish this. Commission Smithclarified that the access would be for aviation or airport non-aviation businesses on the south side of the airport and not a cut through.
OLD BUSINESS:
1.New Admin building status – Continuing item.
2.Restaurant planning – A draft short term lease is being prepared. A questionnaire for stakeholders is being developed and will be available as a hard copy and online. Commissioner Laytin suggested sending a thank you to Mr. Tony Penta, owner of Metro Food Services, for his time and expertise at the August Workshop. He was very informative.
Chairman Fosdick noted that the Commission’s financial reports had been received. Manager Maher noted that the start of the fiscal year was good but it will be interesting to see what happens to prices after the hurricane.
As there was no further business at this time the meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M. Commissioner Laytin made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous.
Approved
Kenneth E. Fosdick
Chairman