Airport Commission

Fitchburg Municipal Airport Commission Meeting Minutes November 20, 2024 LOCATION: City of Fitchburg Legislative Building TIME: 6:00 PM Attendees: Airport Commissioners: Chair, Clayton Raymond, Commissioner, Richard Liberatore, Commissioner, Eric Tkal and Commissioner, Paul Hathaway. Others in attendance: Airport Manager Peter Kettle, from Gale Associate is Jacklyn Marks remotely, and Daniel Walton. Pres. Fitchburg Pilots Association. Meeting Protocol: Meeting called to order by Chair Raymond. Chair Raymond then 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 October Meeting Minutes. Motion was made by Commissioner Hathaway and 2nd by Commissioner Tkal to accept the minutes as recorded. All in favor, 3-0. 24-11-01 Note: Chair Raymond did not participate in the vote. Action Items from Previous Meeting: Action Items will be covered during the regular meetings agenda. Correspondence to the Commission: There was one correspondence sent to the Airport Commission this month. A letter from the US Census Bureau. Letter is concerning Construction Progress, Reporting Survey, State and Local Governments, City of Fitchburg Commission. Attention Project Manager. Chair Raymond will evaluate the contents of the letter and forward it to the proper party. Action- Chair Raymond Project Review- Gale: Monthly Project Update Gale Representatives Jackie Marks presented the Monthly project updated report. Environmental Assessment and Wildlife Hazard Assessment: AIP 3-25-0018-034-2023 A draft of the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) was provided to the FAA and MassDot for their review and comments, on November 1, 2024. MassDot responded with comments on November 15, 2024 and the FAA responded with comments on November 19, 2024. Gale is working with the Airport and NewEarth to address all comments and finalize the WHMP. Once the WHMP is finalized, this project can be closed out. There is no action required by the Airport. Design and Permitting for Main Apron Reconstruction: Bill No. 3-25-0018-033-2024 The preliminary geometry plan was sent to the FAA and MassDot on November 15, 2024. MassDot provided preliminary comments on the plan and those are being addressed. No action required by the Airport at this time. Groove, Seal and Remark Runway 14-32 (ASMP-2024-FIT-29) Closeout documents were sent to MassDot on October 18, 2024. No action required by the Airport. Design and Install Wildlife Fencing (AIP 3-25-0018-0XX-2025-TBD) Gale is incorporating FAA and MassDot comments into the final scope of work. Once complete, the finale scope will be distributed to all parties and the Commission will need to solicit services for an Independent Fee Estimate (IFE). Airport Manager Kettle provided the Commission with an update map of the fence project. There was discussion on the proposed chain link fencing that runs parallel with Runway 14-32 at the further side. The FAA will pay only for fencing that runs with the runway and would not pay for fencing that would run with the perimeter of the Airport boundary. Other Items: Medstar Legal- Gale assisted the Airport in preparing and submitting an FAA and MassDot Grant Application to recover funds associated with the Medstar lawsuit. Closeout Report was finalized and sent for DocuSign signatures on November 13, 2024. New Business: FPA – Land Lease Agreement: Airport Manager Kettle explained that he recently spoke with Daniel Walton, Pres. Of the Fitchburg Pilots Association regarding their Land Lease and the area's that they are using around the FPA hangar. Mgr. Kettle reminded Mr. Walton that the FAA requires that tenants should be paying on the square foot area that they are using. It was agreed that the FPA currently uses 5940 sq. feet of space and it was determined that the FPA was using area's which are not in their actual Lease Agreement. Mgr. Kettle is bringing this information to the Commission so they can assess the situation and act properly on the other area in question. Daniel Walton, spoke in regards to the amount of area that the FPA is currently using. They are aware that these extra parcels that abut their Hangar are being used creatively and some area's have produced a better image for the Airport. In all, both the Board of Directors for the FPA and Mr. Walton are willing to see what options are available so that their rent does not increase greatly. The Commissioners all agree that the FPA had one section of property that should be tied in to their Lease Agreement and there was mixed opinions on another parcel. Commissioner Hathaway made a motion that we review the present FPA Land Lease Agreement and take into consideration the questioned area's that abut the FPA hangar. Chair Raymond seconded the motion. All were in favor 4-0. 24-11-02 Action – Commission /Airport Mgr. Kettle Michael R. May – Gift: Airport Mgr. Peter Kettle received a letter from Mr. Michael May who resides in Indianola Iowa. The letter stated that Mr. May's father was a frequent passenger on Northeast Airlines, on a DC-3 that would fly into the Fitchburg Airport routinely. Mr. May has a lot of Northeast Airline memorabilia that he would like to donate to the Airport as a matter of general interest and also preserving the history of the Fitchburg Airport. He has a photo album, and a wooden model of a DC-3, all of which document the Northest Airlines regular visits to Fitchburg. Mgr. Kettle would like permission from the Commission to display these items in our terminal building. Mgr. Kettle did send out a hardy thank you to Mr. May for his wonderful act of kindness and his generosity to the Fitchburg Airport. Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle FPA – New Sign Request: Daniel Walton, Pres. Of the Fitchburg Pilots Association (FPA), was looking for permission from the Airport Commission to place a wooden 4 ft. by 6 ft. sign on the Northwest corner of the FPA hangar. Airport Mgr. Kettle reminded Mr. Walton that a permit to do this work would be required, and the Airport was in favor of the sign. Commissioner Paul Hathaway made a motion to allow the FPA to erect the new sign on their hangar, subject to the permitting process. Commissioner Erick Takl second the motion, all were in favor, 4-0. Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle 24-11-03 FPA- Santa Fly Fest: Daniel Walton Pres. of the Fitchburg Pilots Association (FPA), spoke about an event that the FPA would like to host. They want confirmation from the Commission to allow Santa to fly into the Airport in his helicopter on Sunday, December 8, 2024 between the hours of 1p.m. and 4p.m. There will be approximately 200 and 250 people in attendance. Chair Raymond advised Mr. Walton that a Public Assemble Permit would be needed. A motion from Commissioner Takl to allow the FPA to host the Santa Fly Fest subject to the permitting process. Comm. Hathaway second the motion, all were in favor, 4-0. Action- Daniel Walton / Airport Mgr. Kettle 24-11-04 Old Business: RFP for Non-Aviation Land Lease - Restaurant: Chair Raymond open the discussion with a few comments regarding the new RFP for the restaurant. After reviewing the RFP, the Chair noted a few key facts that are not clearly spelt out in the document. The Chair noted that the Land Lease amount is 50 a sq. ft. but no where does it say that this is an annual charge made to the City. Another issues is the word “ample” when addressing space for parking. Chair Raymond was concerned that if there isn't enough parking for a Restaurant venue, would it then be the responsibility of the Airport to create additional parking spaces. Chair Raymond continued to say that most Restaurants that have a lunch and dinner menu would want to be able to serve alcohol to there costumers. There is no guarantee that a liquor license would be available from the City. The last issue that Chair Raymond wanted to state was that the RFP document never discloses the actual amount of land that is available for a restaurant and parking. A builder/ restaurant owner needs to know exactly what is involved in this RFP but this document is not complete. Airport Mgr. Peter Kettle added that this RFP for the restaurant is taking way to long to develop properly. Mgr. Kettle would like to gather the team back to the table and to introduce these added proposals that Chair Raymond has suggested and get this RFP completed and moved along. Comm. Paul Hathaway made a motion to submit the added proposals suggested by Chair Raymond and move the RFP for the restaurant to the approval process. Comm. Erick Takl second the motion, all were in favor, 4-0. 24-11-05 Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle / Chair Raymond / Mary Delaney / Attn. Lisa Mead VASI Lights: Airport Mgr. Peter Kettle reported to the Commission that the VASI (Visual Approach Slope Indicator) Lights were sold to the Brookline N.H. Airport and they are presently being installed. Everyone is happy. Terrain Tower Lights: Airport Mgr. Kettle updated the Commission regarding the Terrain Tower Light at 191 Cross Street in Lunenburg. Mgr. Kettle filed a form #7460 with the FAA and we are currently waiting for their response. FAA will tell us whether we have to repair it or remove it. Action- Airport Mgr. Kettle Minimum Standards – Item 2.3 Chair Raymond spoke about the continuing progress we are making to get the Minimum Standards Document moving to completion. The Chair stated that he, along with Comm. Paul Hathaway are just about ready to submit a draft copy to the Commission for a review. So we are getting closer and moving forward on properly establishing this Document. Action – Chair Raymond / Commission Crawford Street Safety Update- Nick Erickson: Airport Mgr. Kettle had a good update on the Crawford Street guardrail system. Dig Safe found both Gas and Electric utilities buried on the shoulder where the guardrail is to be installed . Fortunately for us the buried utilities are at the farthest ends of where our guardrail is to be installed, so we are good to go on the installation. DPW Commissioner Nick Erickson stated it look very promising to have that guardrail installed before winter. Action- Commissioner Erickson / Mgr. Kettle Rocking Horse Enterprises: Airport Mgr. Peter Kettle reported that both the FAA and MassDot have approved the draft of a site plan for the construction of new hangars at the Airport. Gale Associates is currently developing that site plan for Rocking House Enterprises (RHE). Mr. Bob Montana owner of RHE spoke with Mgr. Kettle and was hoping to start construction in April 2025. Airport Mgr. Kettle explained to Mr. Montana that the Airport hosts a Wings and Wheels Event in April and this event brings in a large revenue to the Airport. Mr. Montana understanding the situation then stated that construction would start May 1, 2025. So if everything moves accordingly we should break ground for new hangars this coming May. Action-Airport Mgr. Kettle After Hours Bathroom Facility: Airport Mgr. Kettle explained to the Commission that during pass event when the Terminal restrooms were used, the restroom was left in a deplorable condition. It became the responsibility of the Airport staff to clean the restrooms. This has the Airport Mgr. apprehensive about opening the terminal restroom after hours. Daniel Walton Pres. of FPA, did research the cost of a port a-potty and it would be $110 a month and his included service to the facility. Comm. Hathaway recommended that there should be some co-sponsorship of the port a-potty facility where is may involve the FACT group, the FPA and the City. The question of where it would be best located would be in the vicinity of the FPA hangar and the self-serve fueling station. This allowed both pilots on the field and visiting pilots purchasing fuel the opportunity to use the facility. We will continue to explore the options on this matter. Action- Daniel Walton / Commission Financial Review: Approval of Commitments and Abatement's: Nothing at this time. Executive Session: YES – FPA COOP. To discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigation position of the public body. Commission role called into Executive Session at 7:50pm. Next Regular Meeting: December 18, 2024 at 6pm. Regular Meeting Adjourned: Chair Raymond made a motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 pm. All were in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Richard Liberatore, Recording Secretary