Laconia Airport Authority

1 LACONIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY 65 AVIATION DRIVE, GILFORD, NH 03249 (603) 524-5003 Q FAX (603)528-0428 www.laconiaairport.com RECORD OF MEETING Thursday, September 19, 2019, 4:00 pm Airport Terminal Conference Room Present: Vice-Chair, Gilford Selectman, Dale Chan Eddy; Clerk, Robert Glendening; Treasurer, William Moran; Authority Member, Karmen Gifford; Authority Member, Dale Crumb; Authority Member, Belknap County Commissioner, David DeVoy; Authority Member, Eric Tierno Absent: Chairman, Mayor, Ed Engler; Authority Member, Paul Gaudet, Jr. Guests present: John Gorham, Jacobs; Dennis Didonna; Lee Avery; Dan Caron; Jeromy Grimmett; Joe Rizzitano Meeting Minutes: Vice-Chairman Eddy opened the meeting at 4:00 pm, noting that there were seven board members present, constituting a quorum. I. Action on approval of meeting minutes: A. Without objection , the Vice-Chair declared the minutes of the July 18, 2019 meeting approved as submitted by the recording secretary. B. Without objection , the Vice-Chair declared the minutes of the August 22, 2019 Special Meeting approved as submitted by the recording secretary. II. Public Input: Mr. Didonna inquired about the status of a change to a right-turn traffic pattern, updating of the wind rose, need for an on-airport/Gilford fire station, and whether solar energy had been considered for the airport. These inquiries were addressed as follows: An application for changing to a right-turn traffic pattern has been submitted to the FAA and awaits their response; the Gilford Selectmen discussed the matter and had no objection; a wind study has not been undertaken as yet – (Mr. Crumb offered to take on that task); discussion regarding a dual-serving fire station is ongoing; the idea of pursuing solar energy to off-set the cost of electricity on the airport was pursued in the fall of 2018, and a determination was reported in the minutes of the January, 2019 meeting that it would not be cost-effective at this time to continue that pursuit but would continue to be monitored in the future. (Public input continued) Mr. Avery inquired regarding the snow removal contract for the coming season in view of the construction that has taken place on the airfield –  2 whether the contract would be re-bid. Mr. Tierno inquired as to the status of the current contract. These inquiries were addressed as follows: The current contract is eligible for one more season; it will, however, be reviewed in light of the adjustments needed in relation to the changes as a result of the construction project on Taxiway Echo. III. New Business I (continued at V.) A. RE: Boston University Rocket Propulsion Group (BURPG) – LAA’s manager introduced Mr. Jeromy Grimmett of xaerospace, a local company, who also introduced his business partner, Joe Rizzitano. Mr. Grimmett gave a presentation regarding the mission of BURPG and their desire to base a test site for firing rocket engines locally. Their program would involve much more than test-firing engines; it would incorporate educational opportunities for student involvement in our local schools. Their request to the LAA is to be able to establish an outside the fence, on airport property test site for test-firing their rocket engines. They would not be launching anything – only test-firing the engines. Following an extensive discussion, it was decided by CONSENSUS that a SUB- COMMITTEE be tasked to move this proposal further, by looking into what would be required to implement the program. IV. Finance Report – Mr. Moran presented the report; a discussion followed. NOTE: Mr. Moran left the meeting @ 5:00 V. New Business II B. Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) – Mr. Gorham led a discussion regarding the outcome of the meeting of the CIP sub-committee which established the airport’s priorities in our 10 year Airport Improvement Plan. NOTE #2: Mr. DeVoy left the meeting @ 5:15 C. Auto Parking Area for long-term parking – the manager explained that because of the construction project that has created a haul road and staging area, most of the work has already been accomplished that could result in a long-term automotive parking area for the airport. It would require more gravel, finish grading, and paving. The contractor will already be grading the haul road at the completion of their work; the timing couldn’t be more advantageous. MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Tierno, seconded by Ms. Gifford, expenditure of $19,225.00 for a gravel base, and $25,000.00 for pavement to create a long-term automotive parking area was granted by a vote of 5 in favor, none opposed. VI. Old Business A. AIP Projects Update 1. Environmental Assessment (SBG 12) – We are still waiting for final approval from NHDOT.  3 2. Taxiway E Extension (SBG 14 ) – The work has been suspended – awaiting the delivery of two light poles for the expanded Itinerant Parking area. The work is scheduled to resume October 7, which will include installation of the light poles, final striping, final electrical connections, and repair of some areas of washout. B. LCI Sign – Following a discussion led by Mr. Glendening regarding the proposed design of a sign, a motion was brought forward. MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Glendening, seconded by Mr. Tierno, approval was granted for the expenditure of up to $7,000.00 for the proposed sign for the airport by a vote of 5 in favor, and none opposed. VII. Operations Report A. Brush Clearing – This has been ongoing throughout the summer. We will forego the September mowing of the infield in order to apply that expense to having more brush clearing done this fall. B. Dame Logging – This was postponed from last spring due to ground conditions being too wet; it is scheduled to take place this fall. This involves trafficking through airport property on the northwest side of Lily Pond Road to access the Dame property. One change in the Access Agreement is that the logging contractor will clean up any windfalls on airport property that have fallen since our logging operation took place. C. Wings of Freedom Tour - The Collings Foundation will be bringing five of their WWII aircraft to LCI September 23 – 25 for display, touring, and rides. VIII. NEXT MEETING: October 17, 2019 IX. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:17 pm . Respectfully submitted, Marv Everson Airport Manager, LCI