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 26, 2021 In Attendance Carl Baessler, Village of Atlantic Beach (called in) Dan Plaut, Village of Cedarhurst (called in) Andrew Weiss, Village of Floral Park Laurence Quinn, Village of Garden City Akiva Lubin, Village of Lawrence (called in) Sean Wright, Village of Valley Stream James Vilardi, Executive Director James Vilardi asked Carol Renta to take attendance, and the meeting was called to order. In addition to the committee members listed above, Mary Carter Flannigan, Garden City Trustee, was in attendance. James Vilardi asked if the committee had reviewed the June 28, 2021 minutes; Carl Baessler made a motion to approve the minutes, and Andrew Weiss second the motion. Carol Renta advised the committee that Legislator Richard Nicollelo sent a letter to Senator Charles Schumer requesting his assistance with the FAA, Supervisor Don Clavin sent a letter to the FAA supporting our request for a representative to attend meetings and James Vilardi sent the letter to the FAA that the committee authored. Dan Plaut asked if we have received any responses, and Carol Renta replied that we have not received responses. The Committee discussed their surprise that we have not heard anything back from Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Suozzi or Congresswoman Rice’s offices regarding whether or not they would send a joint or separate letter to the FAA. Nor, with the exception of Tom Curry of Congresswoman Rice’s office, have their representatives accepted recent invitations to attend TVASNAC meetings. James Vilardi thanked Garden City Trustee Mary Carter Flanagan for joining us and asked if this topic has come up at village meetings she has attended. Mary Carter Flanagan stated that she had attended a New Hyde Park meeting a few years ago where Congressman Suozzi was the speaker and was telling the village about changes with respect to the altitude planes could fly. James Vilardi requested each member do some research between now and the August meeting, get a proposal from each, interview the firms, we will pick the best three to make a presentation to the committee and make a choice thereafter. Andrew Weiss pointed out that these consultants may be located all over the country, so we should be careful to choose a firm that is somewhat familiar with John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports. 1 Additionally, the committee should all be on the same page with what we are looking for in an aviation consultant. James Vilardi offered that committee members in speaking with these consultants should describe what the problems are within our communities surrounding the airports. Since we are in such close proximity to the airports, they will know the struggles without our even explaining the problems faced. We want to propose incremental and concrete policy changes that the FAA can really consider without endangering passenger safety to eliminate some of the noise pollution on the ground. Andrew Weiss added, that the committee should share with the aviation experts interviewed the committee’s goals established back in January and inquire if they are realistic.  James Vilardi commented that they may tell us something completely different. It will be interesting to speak with someone who is very familiar with JFK and LAG airports and their runways. Carl Baessler stated that over the years we have had exposure to different FAA representatives, visited TRACON and they showed us their version of things – the planes are coming in here, you have to change things there, this has to shift over - all the incremental things involved in rotating/shifting runways. What a massive job they have. James Vilardi pointed out that if we have an aviation expert with us listening with us to what the FAA and TRACON have to say about airplane traffic and runways, the expert would be able to advise us if what they are saying is accurate. The expert would know if the FAA and TRACON are being transparent with us and presenting all possible options. James Vilardi explained that he envisions a conversation that would go something like – these are the things that are possible, do not let anyone at the FAA tell you they are not possible. It would be nice to get verification that the three goals the committee agreed to are in fact achievable goals. Then we can really push our agenda with the FAA with confidence. James Vilardi asked if anyone knows of any aviation consulting firms from their time on this committee.  Carl Baessler said this was something the committee never pursued, but it is an amazing opportunity to be able to do so now. Carl went on to report that he had called Glenn Shear but he has not called back. James Vilardi asked Carol Renta if Jeannine Driscoll is an aviation attorney, and Carol stated she would find out. Carol Renta asked the committee if any of the past guest speakers were aviation experts, and Carl Baessler said he would look back in his file. Andrew Weiss pointed out that we would want someone on retainer. Carl Baessler stated that the expert should be able to tell us what can we go back to the FAA with. It would be great to find a retired FAA official. Years ago the committee tried to find a retired pilot to provide some advice, but a consultant would be better. James Vilardi stated that the firm should have experience advocating for neighborhoods. There are different kinds of zoning attorneys; some fight for the airlines, some for residents. We want someone with experience dealing with the FAA. There is a group called The Airport Consultants’ Council we may want to reach out to. We need a consultant to assist us with how to go about making policy changes, or to bring a class action suit if necessary. Carl Basssler explained that once the Round Table began, the FAA stopped coming to meetings and talking to us. It’s great to have the Round Table, but it ended any other communication with the FAA. It’s been a couple of years since we received an invitation to visit TRACON. 2 James Vilardi suggested we try and schedule a date to visit TRACON and see their facilities. Carl Baessler stated that all we have to do is call the Director of TRACON, introduce the committee and tell them we would like to visit their facility. Carol Renta will contact TRACON. James Vilardi asked if anyone had any items to add. Hearing none, Sean Wright called for the meeting to be adjourned and Laurence Quinn second the motion. Prepared by: Carol Renta Secretary, TVASNAC 3