Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee

TOWN-VILLAGE AIRCRAFT SAFETY & NOISE ABATEMENT COMMITTEE One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York 11550 (516) 489-5000 x3296 – TVASNAC@tohmail.org Meeting Minutes Monday, July 27, 2020 Virtual Meeting via GoToMeetings In Attendance (virtually) Carl Baessler, Village of Atlantic Beach Dan Plaut, Village of Cedarhurst Andrew Weiss, Village of Floral Park Larry Quinn, Village of Garden City Ronald Goldman, Village of Lawrence Kurt Langjahr, Village of New Hyde Park Sean Wright, Village of Valley Stream Abraham Muchnick, Village of Woodsburgh James Vilardi – Executive Director Kurt Langjahr of the Village of New Hyde Park was in attendance, but muted during the meeting. Executive Director James Vilardi welcomed everyone, Carol Renta called a couple of people who were missing, and the meeting was called to order. Attendance was taken, and it was determined that we had a quorum for tonight’s virtual meeting – every village with a committee member was represented. Mr. Vilardi asked those members not on last month’s call (Carl Baessler, Andrew Weiss, Sean Wright and Abraham Muchnick) to give their impression of the committee, where they see it going and how this topic affects their local communities. Carl Baessler began by stating things are not too bad right now with the light air traffic these days. Most of the departures are at 4-5,000 feet, so not a big hassle for Atlantic Beach. He stated they did get some departures on the 13 this weekend, but still not that bad. If it stays like that they would not complain, but we know it is going to change.  Mr. Vilardi asked what Carl thinks our course of action should be once it starts to change.  Carl replied that the trouble with this committee is that we do not have the influence that we used to have, and it’s a shame, because we know what is really happening, but there is nothing we can do about it.  Mr. Vilardi asked why Carl thinks that has changed. 1   Carl stated the Roundtable is probably the biggest reason – nobody asks us questions or provides answers, no one wants to come to see us to discuss challenges, and the biggest reason is that people are going there (the Roundtable) instead of to us. There is nothing happening here like there used to be.  Mr. Vilardi asked Carl to explain what he meant. What used to happen?  Carl explained that if we had questions, we could get answers from the Port Authority or the FAA. They would come in and address our questions, and we would have a Q&A, but this hasn’t happened in about three or four years, and he’s not sure what we can do about it. Mr. Vilardi offered that once this pandemic passes, we can start to be more active again. One thing we can do is put together a position paper (Mission Statement) including things we would like to change so we would all have a listing of goals we would like to work toward achieving. We have to go through the proper channels, but we have to decide what has to be done first. So if we all work together to put a position paper together it would be helpful. If someone would like to take the lead on that and get it done before we get together, then we can go to the FAA, Congressman Suozzi and Congresswoman Rice and see what we can do.  Carl stated we have already been down that road.  Mr. Vilardi replied that we can’t stop trying. We have to press our issues. It’s a long battle, but we have to keep pressing our issues. Carl Baessler stated that part of this is involving our local politicians to tell them about our goals. We’ve done this in the past, but never got a good response. It’s very frustrating. Carl relayed that he’s been this committee for 29 years, and it’s like watching the grass grow. Mr. Vilardi asked Carl if he has the position paper and when it was written.  Carl replied, about three or four years ago, and he would have to look for it.  Mr. Vilardi stated it would have to be updated a bit.  Carl said he hates to be narrow-minded, wants what’s best for the committee, and wants it to continue, but outside of getting our politicians involved he does not see anything that can be done. Mr. Vilardi stated that we have to get involved. The first step is to update our position paper. We will make appointments to see our elected officials one by one, and then the FAA.  Carl commented this will be a problem. While waiting for Kurt Langjahr to turn on his microphone, Abraham Muchnick provided some insight into Woodsburgh. Abraham relayed that air traffic has not been bad the last few months; they are still getting cargo plans, all on arrivals, but it hasn’t been terrible. It’s better than it used to be. He offered that he doesn’t think there is any value in talking about having meetings. Abraham thinks we should pick one specific area, one specific goal and work toward getting that one thing accomplished. Starting with the policy paper, if we have one, great, but maybe noise or flight paths, pick one area and try and drive that issue. 2 Mr. Vilardi asked Carl if he would take the lead on finding that position paper and get it to everyone.  Carl Baessler has looked through everything and does not see it.  Mr. Vilardi asked Carol Renta if she might have it.  Carol stated she will look through the files in the office. Mr. Vilardi asked Andrew Weiss for his opinion on what we should do. Andrew stated he liked the idea of taking one issue and running with it, because there are so many different facets and so much we have no control over. A lot of it this is political, since we are dealing with the FAA and area politicians. Andrew suggested maybe looking at the economics; what’s the cheapest way to get a plane in? Realistically, if we try and accomplish too much we will not get anything done. Andrews’ audio went in and out. Let’s see what’s out there and what we can build on. Let’s find the FAA five-year budget authorization, because there are a whole lot of benchmarks in there, and let’s see what are they required to do and are they in fact doing it, and then we can find an area and run with it. Andrew commented that Larry Quinn had done a lot of research on this previously, so the research should be out there.  Larry said he has it, but has to find where he put it. Mr. Vilardi asked if anyone would want to have a socially distant, in-person working session once we get our hands on these documents. Not an official meeting, just a working session to update the Mission Statement, review the FAA five-year budget and also the Part 150 Study which we can try and get ahold of from the FAA website and prioritize the issues.  Carl Baessler stated he would be available to meet in person. Mr. Vilardi offered that once we put our hands on those documents, he will host a meeting at his office, or we can meet in the Town Hall Pavilion, which Carol can facilitate, but we need these building blocks first before we can go out and start talking to any elected officials, representatives or whomever. The 2020-2021 Budget was presented for approval. Motion was made to approve by Carl Baessler and second by Larry Quinn. Motion passed unanimously. The June 22, 2020 Meeting Minutes was presented for approval. Motion was made to approve by Dan Plaut and second by Larry Quinn. Motion passed unanimously. Carl Baessler stated that since we did not approve the November 25, 2019 minutes at the June 22, 2020 meeting we should approve them now. Andrew Weiss second the motion. Mr. Vilardi asked who was present at both the November 25, 2019 meeting and here today. Carol read the names – Carl, Kurt and Andrew were at both meetings. Mr. Vilardi recommended seeking legal opinion on requirements for approving minutes from a meeting in which some of the committee members have changed, and suggested waiting until the August 24, 2020 meeting to approve the November 25, 2019 minutes; there is no rush to approve these minutes, and we do not want to rush and do anything improper. Everyone was in agreement. 3 The 2020-2021 Calendar of Meetings was presented for approval. Motion was made to approve by Larry Quinn and second by Abraham Muchnick. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Vilardi recapped that we will get our hands on the documents discussed, and get together in person, socially distant, informally for a working session to prioritize our goals and asked if anyone had anything to add. Carl Baessler wanted to add one last item – One of the last things we did in 2019 as a committee, was send a letter to Kathleen Rice regarding FAA Authorization from 2013. Carl had the letter in front of him and stated it was dated November 21, 2019. Carl asked if we ever received a response to that letter. Carl recalled that each village sent out a copy of the letter signed by their Mayor and Trustees, but does not know if anyone received a response.  Mr. Vilardi asked Carol Renta if the town received a response.  Carol will check the files in the office.  Carl will email Carol a copy of the letter.  Mr. Vilardi said he will call Congresswoman Rice’s office in the next few days and inquire about the letter.  Someone suggested sending the letter again, and everyone agreed each village should send the letter once again. Mr. Vilardi suggested the committee request a meeting with Congresswoman Rice.  Carl Baessler stated that would be nice.  Mr. Vilardi suggested trying to do this or at least with someone from her office. Mr. Vilardi spoke with a presentative of Congressman Suozzi’s office that was very informative, but suggests we get together with Congresswoman Rice and see what is going on.  Carl stated he would be there. Mr. Vilardi asked Sean Wright what he thinks.  Sean stated he was in agreement with everything discussed. Mr. Vilardi asked Carol Renta to send the committee his personal email and cell number and invited committee members to contact him at any time. He suggested keeping in touch in between meetings to discuss any issues or concerns. Mr. Vilardi thanked the committee for their time this evening. Motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Carl Baessler and second by Larry Quinn. Prepared by: Carol Renta Secretary, TVASNAC 4