Airport Commission

Fitchburg Municipal Airport Commission Meeting Minutes July 19, 2023 LOCATION: City of Fitchburg Legislative Building TIME: 6:01 PM Attendees: Airport Commissioners: Chair Clayton Raymond, Comm. Beth Walsh, Comm. David Ginisi, Comm. Rich Liberatore. Others in attendance: Airport Manager Peter Kettle, City Solicitor Pusateri and Gale Associate Matt Caron. Meeting Protocol: Meeting called to order by Chair Raymond. Chair Raymond introduced the Commission members and all others who were in attendance. Previous Months Minutes-including special meeting minutes: Chair Raymond asked for a motion to accept the June Monthly Minutes. Motion was made by Commissioner Walsh, 2nd by Commissioner Ginisi. All in favor, 4-0. 23-07-01 Action Items from Previous Meeting: Utility Expansion Study: Airport Manager Kettle spoke in regards to the quote he received from the Utility Companies to bring Electric, Gas, Water and Sewerage down into the Airport section where our proposed new hangar's would be constructed. The quote was between 1.5 to 2 million dollars. Manger Kettle added that this project could be funded with a grant from MassDot where the City would be responsible for 20 % of the total cost. An RFP has already gone out to any interested party to make their bid on the available land for hangars. Bidding deadline is the 3rd of August. Action – Mgr. Kettle Back-Up Generator: Airport Manager Kettle explained that this is still an on going item with MassDot. Nothing has been decided yet Electric Vehicle Charging Station: Airport Manager Kettle did speak with Mrs. Murphy who is the director of City Development . It was suggested that the Airport join forces with the City in applying for a grant that may come available this August or September to fund this project. Action- Mgr. Kettle / Liz Murphy  Minimum Standards: Chair Raymond explained that he is still working on this document. One issue that had to be worked on was the Insurance. Chair Raymond stated that Insurance is different for each tenant and he felt that he is close to finalizing this issue. The Chair did say he was confident that the Minimum Standards would be ready for review by the Commission in September and then forwarding the document to the FFA for their review. Action- Chair Raymond PPG: Airport Manager Kettle stated that the powered para-glider group would be completing their training in June but would be back in September if there is available space for them to use at the Airport. Financial Review: Airport Manager Kettle reported that there are still tenants who are delinquent on payment to the Airport. The City program that was to monitor payments is still not functioning and there is no way of telling what tenants owe at this present time. Manager Kettle says that we are still waiting for the program at City Hall to be efficient and to be running properly. Action- Mgr. Kettle / Anne Carvantes Correspondence to the Commission: Airport Manager Kettle asked the Chair to put this discussion under New Business. Project Review-Gale: Monthly Project Update Gale Representative Matt Caron, made the Monthly Update presentation. Environment Assessment and Wildlife Hazard Assessment: AIP 3-25-0018-XX-2022 Matt reported to the Commission that the first round of Wildlife Hazard Assessment survey field work took place in June. The next round is currently happening and will be completed by July 20th. Matt continued to say that Gale is still working in the Environment Assessment, and as soon as it is completed Gale will present all findings to the Commission before forwarding the documentation to MassDot and the FAA. Utility Expansion Study: Matt Caron reported on the Utility Study, stating that Gale will follow up with MassDot to see if there will be money available through the ASMP funding. Action- Gale / Airport Manager Kettle Fitchburg Pilots Association (FPA) Nothing from the FPA. New Business: RFQ / RFP Update: Airport Manager Kettle reported to the Commission that N Number Holdings, LLC from Clifton Park, NY. has put in a bid to build a 4500 sq. ft. Hangar/ Living Quarters for Air Methods/ Life Flight. The FAA has granted their approval of this project. The goal is to have the building constructed by the end of November. Commission will vote to start the proceeding and then planning will continue on to other City Departments. Chair Raymond made the motion to move forward in granting approval of this project. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Walsh. All were in favor, 4-0. 23-07-02 Action- Airport Manager Kettle Security Badge Request: Chair Raymond explained that Mr. Bill Calden was doing work on the Airport without the proper Insurance Binder. Mr. Calden was prevented from doing any work at our Airport until he had proper documentation. Now time has passed and Mr. Calden did got the one million dollar Liability Insurance required to do mechanical work on the Airport. Manager Kettle was happy to present a pass card to Mr. Calden this evening. Chair Raymond for the sake of housekeeping wanted a motion to allow Bill Calden to get full security clearance to work on the Airport. Commissioner Walsh made the motion 2nd by Chair Raymond. All in favor, 4-0. 23-07-03 Chair Raymond continued so speak on the issue of people who need approval to do business at the Airport. The Chair felt that the Airport Manager should have the authority to grant permission for person's who needed to perform duties at the Airport. Commissioner Walsh made a motion that would allow the Airport Manager the full authority to review credentials of people who could provide a service to the airport. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Ginisi. All in favor, 4-0. 23-07- 04 Action- Mgr. Kettle Postpone of August Meeting: Suggestion from the Airport Manager that Commission take a break from the August meeting. Motion was made by Commissioner Ginisi and 2nd by Commissioner Walsh that we have no meeting in August. All in favor, 4-0. 23-07-05 Old Business: Minimum Standards 2.3: Was covered under “Action Items”. Chair Raymond assured Commission that there will be a document to review for the September meeting. Action - City Solicitor / Airport Commission Land Lease on 20 Runway Area and Air Methods: Was covered under “Action Items”. A Company from NY has bid on constructing a 4500 sq. ft. complex for Air Methods/ Life Flight. Construction should be completed at the end of November. Action Item – Attorney Pusateri /Mgr. Kettle Crawford Street Safety – Nick Erickson: The Commissioner of Public Works, Mr. Nick Erickson informed the Commission that he has contacted the MassDot District #3 Highway Division and they are going to complete a full assessment of the roadway leading to the Airport. The Public Works Commissioner hopes to have a complete report for the September meeting. Action- Commissioner Erickson / Mgr. Kettle P.P.G.: Airport Manager Kettle reported that the Para Gliders are done training for now and may be back in September if space is available for them. Action- Mgr. Kettle Financial Review: Approval of Commitments and Abatement's. Airport Manager Kettle informed the Commission that he is still waiting for a list from City Hall on tenants who might owe money to the Airport. There is an issue with the system right now so Manager Kettle will be waiting for notification. Action- Mgr. Kettle Executive Session: There is no executive session. Next Regular Meeting: September 20th, 2023 @ 6pm Regular Meeting Adjourned: Chair Raymond asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Comm. Walsh made the motion and the Chair 2nd the motion to adjourn at 6:47 pm. All were in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Richard Liberatore Recorder