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BAC Minutes September 12 2022_ BEVERLY AIRPORT COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 LOCATION: 50 L.P. Henderson Rd., Beverly Airport East Side PRESENT: Commissioners Paul Trefry, Aaron Henry, Paul Brean, Matt Mozur and Jeffry Schlichte OTHERS PRESENT: Craig Schuster and Steven Rawding ABSENT: Paul Gentile PUBLIC: Peter Eichleay and see below for those providing public input RECORDER: Christine Martin Barraford A. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Trefry called the meeting to order at 6:OOPM,which is being audio and video recorded as a hybrid meeting. 1. Pledge of Allegiance Mr. Trefry led those in attendance in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Acceptance of Minutes—August 8, 2022 Upon motion duly made by Mr. Mozur and seconded by Mr. Schlichte, it was unanimously voted to approve the above minutes as amended. Commissioners Paul Trefry-Y, Paul Brean-Y, Aaron Henry-Y, Matt Mozur-Y and Jeffry Schlichte-Y. Motion passed 5-0, unanimous. 3. Reading of the Financial Report—Mr. Rawding Mr. Rawding reported the following revenues for August, 2022 as compared with August, 2021: a) fuel flowage fee at$7,961.60 represented a decrease of$1,801.20;b)traffic count at 8,875 represented an increase of 96; and c) landing fee revenue at$14,981.07 represented a decrease of$122.10 with 196 landing fees collected over 197 from previous year. 4. Airport Solutions Group Presentation —Mr. Schuster Mr. Schuster reported that the master plan is ongoing for submission to the FAA and MassDOT. All invoices for permitting of the perimeter fence have been submitted to MassDOT. All invoices have been submitted to MassDOT on the noise modeling study. The storm water pollution and prevention plan and spill prevention countermeasures plan has been completed. The projects for the upcoming fiscal year are: a) data collection for permit support for the reconstruction of RW 16-34 and Taxiway E; and b) EA/ENF permitting for the five-year AMPU projects; c) the old storage building is on hold per MassDOT. ASG is providing airport management services for Mr. Rawding two days/week while Ms. Bouillion is on leave. The Annual capital improvement program meeting with the FAA and MassDOT is scheduled for Thursday, October 6th from 1:00-2:30PM and members are invited to attend virtually. 5. Airport Manager's Report—Mr. Rawding Mr. Rawding reported that the Airport Expo event will be held from Friday and Saturday this week. This is a static display sales event and by invitation only. B. NEW BUSINESS Review of the Proposed Airport Rules and Regulations Beth Oldmixon, Assistant City Solicitor, appeared before the Commission. She continued the review of the rules and regulations starting on page 35 thereof(see attached.) At the conclusion of the review, the documents will be resubmitted to the Commission with its proposed changes and final approval. Discussion ensued. The fee structure will not be changed at this time. Ms. Oldmixon reviewed the two pages of the new section added to document with regard to lease and sublease requirements. This section was included on the advice of counsel. The airport manager was granted the authority to grant exemptions or exceptions to these rules. If that is done, in order to maintain a good check and balance system, the Commission will be notified of same. A new section was added with regard to special events. Ms. Oldmixon will redraft the document with the discussed changes and distribution to the Commission for presentation for a final vote at its next meeting. C. COMMISSION COMMENTS Appraisal Update Mr. Trefry stated that the City's occupancy on Airport Road needs to be formalized at the fair market value of the space at$4,000/month. Following discussion, it was agreed that the matter would be tabled for further in-depth consideration. D. OLD BUSINESS Noise Committee Comments Senator Joan Lovely appeared before the Board. She made the observation that the noise level has increased since the pandemic. Also of concern is the impact of toxicity from jet fuel and its impact to the neighborhoods. Representative Sally Kerans appeared before the Board. She stated that progress has been slow in addressing noise pollution. She stated that legislation has been filed to direct Mass Aeronautics to collect noise data. She stated that more needs to be done to address the deafening noise that is negatively affecting the residents' quality of life. In answer to Mr. Trefry's question on the pending legislation, Representative Kerans stated that the legislation requires that municipal airports report data regarding complaints filed in person, in writing or on its website. Mr. Trefry invited public comment with a limit of three minutes per person. Joe Rinaldi of Anthony Lane in Danvers appeared before the Board. He stated that he has been a resident at that location for thirty-five years and has seen a dramatic increase in noise pollution since the pandemic. Also of concern are the poisonous gases emitted from lead jet fuel from propeller drive aircraft that has serious health consequences especially to children. He called on legislative officials to address the problem. Steven Lanyard of Manchester-by-the-Sea appeared before the Board. He stated that he has flown since he was eighteen years of age and received private and commercial pilot licenses. He considers the license he received as a flight instructor as his most valued, as he takes part in the training of new pilots. He opposes any attempts to restrict the rights of pilots to fly aircraft. Bill Kosovan appeared before the Board. He stated that the ALPA has asked him to make the announcement that the FAA has started the process of recertification of the conversion of lead fuel to unleaded fuel. He also brought to the attention of Senator Lovely and Representative Kerans a section of the FAA regulations that needs to be considered in light of the recent state legislative bill filed with regard to the noise issue. Tony Bettencourt of Danvers appeared before the Board. He registered his complaints on the noise issue as exacerbated by touch and go's every three minutes and paths that are directed toward the Danvers areas. He suggested that paths be directed to other areas with more open space. Bob Barrows of Anthony Lane in Danvers appeared before the Board. He quoted sections of the BAC noise abatement program that is posted on its website and its stated commitment to its good neighbor policy. He suggested that with one hundred and fifty fly overs every thirty seconds, the policy is not being enforced. He also suggested that the commitment to safety is also not being honored with flight training aircraft flying at low altitudes and lead fueled aircraft emitting toxic pollutants that pose serious health consequences. Jessica McCraney of Beverly appeared before the Commission. She stated she is a student at the airport's Beverly Flight Center and is pursuing her pilot's license to enable her to continue her volunteer search and rescue efforts for people and pets. Flight-training activities are limited to certain hours in order to reduce noise. She stated that more research is needed to safely convert aviation lead fuel to unleaded fuel. She also noted that an oversight committee had found that lead contamination in neighborhoods in Santa Clara was not due to jet fuel but a large number of homes that had high level of lead paint as well as the proximity of a Nascar race course. She expressed support for the municipal aviation industry and urged more discernment of unfounded lead claims. Tim Donahue of Locust Street in Danvers appeared before the Commission. He stated that he has been a resident for fifteen years and there has been a significant change in the traffic pattern over his house. He had asked for the division between the two runways two years ago and received no answer. He noted that from 2011 to 2017 he was at home with his children every day in the backyard and experienced no problems. Yesterday he counted 170 planes that few over his house, The noise of which was not muffled by his noise cancelling headphones. He added that the lives of residents are made miserable by noise pollution and that the time has come for the Commission and its noise committee to take noise concern seriously. Josh Widomsky appeared before the Commission. He stated that he has been a pilot for many years. He referenced the prior commenter that the ALPA had announced that the FAA is considering a change in aviation fuel to unleaded fuel, and this process will take several years for full implementation. Ed Pino of Danvers appeared before the Commission. He asked that the public be advised of the jet category being allowed at the airport, as he believed the bigger the jet the bigger the risk to the community. He cited safety as an issue with the thickly settled neighborhoods as well as high schools and grammar schools in the area. He noted that restricting the traffic pattern of helicopters to the proper route and enforcing altitudes of 1100-1200 feet of aircraft would aid in noise abatements. Rachel Abel of Beverly appeared before the Commission. She stated she is currently a student at the Beverly Flight Center at the airport and stated that the center fully supports its good neighbor policy by limiting early morning flights and the number of touch and go's. She stated that hers is an aviation family with her husband employed as a commercial pilot. Many of her fellow students will complete their required number of hours in order to be certified as commercial pilots. She noted that she encourages her teenage daughters to become pilots and sees this career path as a vital one as the global economy depends on its ability to respond to global humanitarian crises that provide lifesaving goods and services. She expressed her gratitude for the safe aviation training opportunities provided by the airport. Marc Zuberek of Danvers appeared before the Commission. He believed that the problem is bigger than just noise. He stated that management has been destructive to the quality of life of residents since 1997 and it has accelerated since new management was put in place in 2018. He stated that the master plan was developed to serve only pilots. Since the noise committee's presentation to Wenham, Danvers and Beverly, there has been no response to the significant comments made by residents. The environmental impacts, including jet fuel and the presence of PFAS in the water supply, have been ignored by the EPA and the good neighbor policy is flaunted by frequent touch and go's. Operations, even of small aircraft over schools,jeopardizes the safety of hundreds of children. Since the noise presentation meeting, a helicopter company has been authorized to operate, adding to the noise pollution. Taxpayers are paying for the noise pollution which has been ongoing since 2019. The Commission is urged to listen and act on the complaints of residents. Janie Hill of Danvers appeared before the Commission. She stated that the problem has been ongoing since 2019. She stated she has been a resident for thirty-seven years and never experienced the level of noise pollution until then. She demanded answers on what has changed to cause this problem. She said her neighbors are good people who have contributed as taxpayers and do not want to be "driven out." Emma Anderson, owner of the Beverly Flight Center, appeared before the Commission. She stated that she is committed to exercising the good neighbor policy. Although touch and go's are not allowed at certain times, the practice of these, as well as night flying time, is a requirement of earning a pilot's license. Safety is her number one concern and her aircraft are well maintained. Students are educated on FAA regulations. She is committed to training qualified pilots to serve the public in their air travelling needs. Tony Bettencourt reappeared before the Commission and reiterated his request that traffic paths be redirected to less populated areas. Tina Anderson, co-owner of the Beverly Flight Center, appeared before the Commission. She stated that when she and her mother bought the business from the previous owners, they met with the noise committee and instituted a good neighbor policy with no early morning flights and restricted evening flights. They are committed to continuing to be a good neighbor, while training the next generation in this important career. Jason Crowe appeared before the Commission. He seeks a happy medium where the flight school and the neighbors can live in peace. He cannot presently sit in his backyard or participate in a Zoom call in his home without being on mute. He spoke of his anger in being "pounded" all day long with incessant thunderous noise. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Trefry thanked those in attendance who had expressed their opinions and confirmed that the Commission heard what was said and took all these comments seriously. However, as a group of volunteers, the Commission was limited in its role. He stated that he had researched the fuel issue at the Santa Clara airport and drew conclusions that the problem there was exacerbated by its sharp increase in growth. He likened that growth to the Beverly airport in the 70's there were 350K operations, decreasing to 45K and now has sharply increased to 80K operations annually. That growth pattern in aviation has been seen throughout the country Representative Kerans and Senator Lovely expressed their gratitude for a respectful meeting and acknowledged the flight school owners as responsible business owners. They asked what concrete steps could be taken to strengthen the good neighbor policy with the school. What is at stake is the quality of life of the neighbors. She added that businesses are the tenants of the airport and the FAA is not needed for the airport to set and enforce restrictions of operations. Following discussion, Mr. Rawding agreed that as part of his monthly airport report to the Commission there would be a breakdown of the number of flights on each runway and the number of complaints and inquiries received from neighbors with regard to noise pollution. This would provide transparency in the daily/monthly traffic pattens and tracking of noise complaints. Mr. Trefry announced that there are open vacancies on the Commission for two Danvers residents and seven Beverly residents. E. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion duly made by Mr. Schlichte and seconded by Mr. Mozur, it was unanimously voted to adjourn. Commissioners Paul Trefry-Y, Aaron Henry-Y, Paul Brean-Y; Matt Mozur-Y and Jeffry Schlichte-Y. Motion passed 5-0, unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 6:48PM.