Airport Commission

Fitchburg Municipal Airport Commission Meeting Minutes January 17, 2024 LOCATION: City of Fitchburg Legislative Building TIME: 6:07 PM Attendees: Airport Commissioners: Chair Clayton Raymond, Commissioner David Ginisi, and Commissioner Richard Liberatore Other in attendance: Airport Manager Peter Kettle, Mary Jo Bohart from City Community Development and from Gale Associate, Representative Jackie Marks and 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 December Minutes. Motion was made by Commissioner Liberatore, 2nd by Commissioner Ginisi to accept the minutes as recorded. All in favor, 3-0. 24-01-01 Action Items from Previous Meeting: Big Tex Gate Update: Airport Mgr. Peter Kettle reported to the Commission that he has been in contact with Big Tex and it has been agreed that no additional gate would be needed at the facility. In regards to the new terms of their Lease, it has been agreed that Big Tex will be a Tenant-At-Will. There is no action for the City Attorney at this time. Big Tex has submitted payment of $21,000 for the year and with that the Airport Mgr. Kettle says we are good to go. Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle / City Solicitor Correspondence to the Commission: There were none. Project Review- Gale: Monthly Project Update Gale Representative Jackie Marks made the monthly update presentation. Environmental Assessment and Wildlife Hazard Assessment: AIP 3-25-0018-034-2023 On December 12, 2023, New Earth Ecological gave an internal mid-project summary presentation to the Airport and Gale to review findings to date and present preliminary recommendations. Monthly Surveys will continue through May of 2024, with a draft of the full Wildlife Hazard Assessment report to be provided in the Summer 2024. Gale is currently working through additional comments received by FAA and MassDot and anticipates presenting the revised Draft Environment Assessment for Commission review in time for the February Commission meeting, pending responses from the agencies. Action- Gale Design and Permitting for Main Apron Reconstruction: Matt Caron spoke in regards to the reconstruction of the Main Apron. The draft Scope of Services is being prepared now and should be finalized by the date of this meeting. Prior to IFE services, the scope of service needs to be reviewed by the agencies. Gale received guidance on the Environmental Justice Population and the permitting requirements associated with a project taking place with-in one mile of this population. Guidance received from the MEPA office indicates that Environmental Justice protocol is only triggered if a project requires agency action (i.e. permits, financial assistance, or a land transfer) and a project exceeds a MEPA review threshold. In the case of the Fitchburg Main Apron, no MEPA threshold is being triggered. Other Items: The Airport and MassDot are still working towards funding solutions for the Backup Generator that will power the entire Airport. Fitchburg Pilots Association (FPA): Airport Manager Kettle reported to the Commission that the MassDot has already approved the Wings and Wheels Event and we are still waiting on the FAA for their approval. This event is scheduled for April 28th, 2024. New Business: Dr. Myles Jen Kin: Airport Mgr. Kettle explained to the Commission that Dr. Myles Jen Kin who conducts medical examinations for the FAA will be leasing and occupying space in our Administration Building, space that is currently occupied by the Life Flight Crews while they wait for their new quarters to be built. The plan moving forward is to have the Doctor give exams to Class 1 And Class 3 pilots in the area and if everything goes to plan Dr. Myles is hoping to start some time in the middle of the year. Airport Mgr. Kettle noted that this is a fantastic opportunity to have the FAA Doctor operating out of the Fitchburg Airport which means pilots from all over will be visiting our Airport and hopefully purchasing fuel. Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle Old Business: RFP for Non-Aviation Land Lease Update: Airport Mgr. Kettle explained to the Commission that he was able to get a copy of the RFP and the Land Lease Agreement from the Cape Cod developer. A team organized by the City Chief Procurement Officer, Mary Delaney, will review these documents for 2 weeks and then report back to Mary with any recommendations they might have to move forward. Chair Raymond added that the City is looking at the best possible usage for our Non-Aviation Land. The goal here is to get interested candidates before the RFP is published. Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle / Mary Delaney Veregy Solar Farm Update: Airport Mgr. Kettle reported that he had a meeting with representatives from Veregy a few weeks ago. Mgr. Kettle was able to show Veregy the proposed sight for the Solar Farm and since then Veregy has been able to put together a plan on how they wish to proceed in their design. Both Mgr. Kettle and Matt Caron were involved in a video chat with Veregy and Matt Caron reported to the Commission that the biggest thing for Veregy right now is figuring out the cost benefit analysis and what Veregy would be offering to the Airport regarding the Land Lease rate. Once this is agreed upon then Veregy would move forward on permit requirements and solar design specifications. Airport Mgr. Kettle added that this Solar Unit is a 5 Megawatt system and within the design there would be a battery storage capacity where the airport could draft power off the battery storage when the Airport loses regular supplied electricity from Unitil, therefore no need for a standalone, stand-by generator. Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle Land Lease N Number Holdings Update: Airport Mgr. Kettle, reported that the hangar that will house the Life Flight Helicopter is completely enclosed to the elements and the main hangar door has been installed. Mgr. Kettle did comment on the blue hangar door to the building contractor reminding him that the specs to the Hangar shows that a white door was suppose to be installed as to conform to all the surrounding Hangars. The contractor will indeed paint the door white in the Spring. Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle / N Number Holdings Spinelli Hangar (RFP) Update: Airport Mgr. Kettle explained that Joe Spinelli received the financial figures to build his 6000 sq. ft. hangar and the total cost was a bit overwhelming. Mr. Spinelli sent a message to Airport Mgr. Kettle explaining that he may have to back out of the FRP. Mgr. Kettle asked Mr. Spinelli if he would be willing to work with a financial partner on this project. Mr. Spinelli did agree to a partner with the help from Mgr. Kettle. Chair Raymond suggested to Mgr. Kettle that we should probably notify Mary Delaney of the issue and explain how the Airport will be moving forward in assisting Mr. Spinelli. Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle Minimum Standards 2.3: Chair Raymond stated that he has made progress on the Minimum Standards document and he will have a drafted document for the Commission to read for next months meeting. Action- Chair Raymond Crawford Street Safety- Nick Erickson: Airport Mgr. Kettle has been in contact with Commissioner Nick Erickson from the City DPW, and Commissioner Erickson is still waiting to get a report from the MassDot. Action- Commissioner Erickson / Mgr. Kettle Hangar / Building 1 and Hangar / Building 18 update: Airport Mgr. Kettle reported to the Commission that a Constable did serve the tenants of Hangar1 and Hangar 18, a notice that their bills owed to the City were due at the end of this month. Nothing has yet been paid, but Mgr. Kettle did receive word from one of the tenants that they wish to keep Hangar 18 and return Hangar 1 to the City. Mgr. Kettle went on to say that no plans could be made until the bills are paid in full. Mgr. Kettle wasted no time and filled Hangar 1 with Aircraft. He figures that this is a much better financial move to better the Airport. Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle / City Solicitor Financial Review: Approval of Commitments and Abatement's: There were none. Executive Session: There is no Executive Session scheduled. Next Regular Meeting: February 21, 2024 at 6pm. Regular Meeting Adjourned: Chair Raymond made a motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:32 pm. All were in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Richard Liberatore Recorder