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, March 27, 2023 In Attendance James Vilardi, TVASNAC Executive Director Carl Baessler, Village of Atlantic Beach Laurence Quinn, Village of Garden City Richard Pallisco, Village of New Hyde Park Shaynee Kessler, Village of Woodsburgh Edward Lino, Town of Hempstead Deputy Town Attorney’s Office Meredith Hughes, Representing Legislator Richard Nicolello Executive Director James Vilardi called the meeting to order, attendance was taken, and a quorum was established. Carol Renta introduced Edward Lino of the Hempstead Town Attorney’s Office who will be attending TVASNAC meetings going forward replacing Brad Regenbogen following his retirement. • James Vilardi asked Edward for an update on the F.O.I.L. request the committee sent to the FAA requesting noise monitor raw data. o Edward stated that Brad had received a letter from the FAA requesting additional time to compile and turn over the data requested, and Edward will follow through with the FAA. • James Vilardi requested that if Edward does not receive the data from the FAA he send a follow- up letter notifying them they missed the second 30-day deadline. James Vilardi asked if everyone had reviewed the January 23, 2023 minutes and if there were any changes. Hearing none, Carl Baessler moved to approve the minutes, and Laurence Quinn second the motion. Shaynee Kessler asked the committee if all the construction being done at John F. Kennedy Airport will affect airplane traffic/noise. • Carl Baessler responded that if anything, it may slow down the airplane traffic somewhat. The committee was discussing the increase in airplanes having “near misses” that we have been hearing about on the news, and James Vilardi asked who has oversight for monitoring the location of airplane to avoid these “near misses.” • Laurence Quinn advised that the Port Authority is responsible for planes on the ground, while the FAA has responsibility for planes in the air. • Carl Baessler added that the tower gives planes the ok to take off and land. 1 James Vilardi asked if the letters to our federal officials were sent. Carol Renta advised the letters were emailed and mailed on February 17, 2023, and included an invitation to attend the March, April and/or May meeting. Carol Renta further advised that Legislator Richard Nicolello expressed interest in also sending a letter to these officials. • Meredith Hughes confirmed that Legislator Nicolello did in fact send a letter to our federal officials, and she would provide the committee with a copy. Carl Baessler asked if a TVASNAC meeting had been scheduled at Valley Stream Village Hall for the near future. • Carol Renta confirmed that Sean Wright reserved space for TVASNAC to hold a meeting at Valley Stream Village Hall on July 31, 2023, however this date must be voted on at our May 2023 as part of the committee’s Calendar of Meetings for June 2023 through May 2024. Shaynee Kessler commented about airplanes flying much lower these days than she recalls in the past and thinks the planes should be re-routed over different neighborhoods. • Laurence Quinn commented that re-routing is not the total solution, rather altitude has become a problem and planes should go back to flying at the altitude they were designed to fly at; 2,000 feet. When planes are 2,000 feet above our homes, it’s fine, but when they are 1,600 and 1,400 feet above our homes the noise becomes a problem. Once planes fly lower, they remain flat having to continually thrust their engines creating the noise. Instead, planes should glide into the runway, thus reducing the level of noise we experience on the ground. • Richard Pallisco noted that at these lower heights of 1,400 and 1,600 feet the quality of the air changes and we can smell fumes on the ground from the planes’ engine. o Laurence Quinn cautioned that this is a health issue, because the particles that enter our body from airplane fumes are significantly smaller than particles from car or motorcycle fumes, and these smaller particles can go anywhere in our body. o James Vilardi asked Meredith Hughes if she would speak with Legislator Nicolello about requesting the Nassau County Department of Health to investigate the health effects of jet fuel in neighborhoods near our airports. Perhaps the Commissioner of the county Department of Health would come to one of our meetings. ▪ Laurence Quinn further stated that high nitrates in water and diminished air quality are two concerns that should be included in a county study, and that the county should be able to study the particle size in water and air to distinguish particles coming from planes versus cars. James Vilardi suggested inviting Assemblyman Ed Ra, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito and the Nassau County Health Commissioner to the April/May meeting. James Vilardi asked if anyone had any items to add. Hearing none, Laurence Quinn called for the meeting to be adjourned and Richard Pallisco second the motion. Prepared by: Carol Renta Secretary, TVASNAC 2