1-9-2023 BEVERLY AIRPORT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
JANUARY 9,2023
LOCATION: 50 L.P. Henderson Rd., Beverly Airport East Side
PRESENT: Commissioners Paul Trefry,Aaron Henry, Peter Gentile, Josh Doxie and Jeffry Schlichte
OTHERS PRESENT: Steven Rawding
ABSENT:
PUBLIC: Ace Chase, Rachel Abeau, Peter Eichleay and Gardner Trask
RECORDER: Christine Martin Barraford
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Trefry called the meeting to order at approximately 6:OOPM, which is being audio and video
recorded as a hybrid meeting. Present were: Mr. Trefry-Y, Mr. Henry-Y, Mr. Schlichte-Y, Mr. Doxie-
Y and Mr. Gentile-Y.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Trefry led those in attendance in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Public Comment
Mr. Trefry invited public comment.
Ace Chase of Wenham St. appeared before the Commission. He stated that he has lived in
proximity of the airport for over twenty years as an owner of a business. In order to alleviate noise
complaints and promote better relations with neighbors,he suggested that the Commission
consider advising future developers and realtors selling,leasing or renting properties that
individuals are advised in writing that the property is within a two-mile radius of the airport. The
signed agreement will protect consumers from entering into such activities that may cause them
stress over noise. He also suggested that the documentation apply to town officials including
building inspectors.
Rachel Abeau of Echo Ave. appeared before the Commission. She commended ATF staff and the
flight school for their professionalism on a number of occasions.
Peter Eichleay, President of FlightLevelAviation, appeared before the Commission. He reported
that there was a fuel increase for 2022 over 2021 of 62,000 gallons of fuel. However,December
saw a noticeable decline across the industry due to the economic uncertainty of the stock market
and inflation. He is hopeful,however,that aviation activity will increase in 2023.
3. Acceptance of Minutes—December 12,2022
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mr. Doxie, it was unanimously voted to
approve the above minutes. Roll call vote: Mr. Trefry-Y, Mr. Henry-Y, Mr. Schlichte-Y, Mr.,.
Doxie-Y and Mr. Gentile-Y. Motion passed 5-0,unanimous.
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4. Reading of the Financial Report—Mr.Rawding
Mr. Rawding reported the following revenues for December, 2022 as compared with December,
2021: a) fuel flowage fee revenue at$5,909.30 represented a decrease of$2,464.60;b)traffic
count at 6,114 represented an increase of 1,054; and c) landing fee revenue at$10,941.04
represented a decrease of$638.70.
Total traffic counts for 2021 was 82,126 as compared with operations for 2022 of 83,960,
showing an overall increase of 1,834.
Discussion ensued on the air traffic numbers for takeoffs and landings that are designated as FBO
and general aviation. Mr. Rawding reviewed the daily to yearly numbers, and it was suggested
that these numbers be presented each month. The FBO market may be sensitive to economic
factors,but the general aviation market may not.
Year to date revenue is $284,299.62 and revenue at$256,682.52. As the winter season sets in
there will be an increase in the snow and ice line item.
S. Airport Solutions Group Presentation —Mr. Schuster
Mr. Schuster reported that comments were received from the FAA on October 19t'',which AG and
Jviation have addressed. The master plan and airport layout plan were uploaded to the FAA
website on October 27'for internal departmental review. Discussion ensued on the delayed
response,which is expected by the end of the month.
In response to Mr. Doxie's question on the incorporation of EV stations, Mr. Shuster responded
that other airports are instituting them,but there are currently none at Beverly. Discussion ensued
on the emerging industry and its advances in aviation technology and its support by FAA. Mr.
Schuster noted that in the event of significant changes,the master plan will be so updated.
Based on the October 2I't email from Colleen Maillox, FAA Head Planner for Massachusetts
Airports, describing revisions to the CIP,the data collection for permit support for reconstruction
of RW 17-34 and Taxiway E has been moved to fiscal year 2024.
The original CIP had the environmental assessment(EA) and environmental notification form
(ENF) and permitting as one project. Based on the Mailloux memo noted above,the FAA decided
to split the EA/ENF project in 2023 and then permitting to 2024.
The last aeronautical study for runway 16-34 and 9-27 was completed in 2010. To support the
reconstruction and extension of Runway 16-34 the FAA is requiring the airport to perform an
aeronautical study for both runways as a 2023 project.
The runway 16 localizer needs to be studied for potential relocation due to the proposed Runway
34 300-foot extension. This would put an end of the runway too close to the localizer exposing the
localizer to jet blast. The airport will front the cost of the project through an FAA reimbursable
agreement through the FAA grant process.
The cold storage building is on hold per MassDOT pending it being shown on the airport layout
plan and as discussed in the master plan document.
ASG provides airport management services of Mr. Rawding two days/week.
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6. Airport Manager's Report
Mr. Rawding reported that the winter operations readiness.He reported that twenty-year old
equipment will need an upgrade but this is part of the master plan.
The MassDOT Aeronautics has commenced its 2023 aircraft registration and will follow up with
non-registrants to be in compliance. He has spoken with them with regard to the air space reviews
of the new construction of Excelis in Cherry Hill. He is also following up on emergency fencing
as needed.
6. Representative Input
Representative Sally Kerans appeared before the Commission. She expressed her dismay that the
master plan has not yet been approved by the FAA. Mr. Trefry stated that a response is
anticipated in the next ninety days at the latest.
She also noted that a resident that experienced a plane crash in her backyard in 2019 has not yet
been compensated for the loss. Mr. Trefry responded that the Commission would take up the issue
as a sidebar and facilitate at the state level.
Ms. Kerans asked that the Commission formally vote that the job description for the airport
manager include a provision that enforcing the good neighbor policy is a condition of
employment. Mr. Trefry responded that,while a topic of discussion with all applicants will be
their ability to conduct outreach to the community in conjunction with establishing the good
neighbor policy,there is no plan to vote to include this provision in the job description. Mr. Trefry
will forward her comments onto the screening subcommittee, and the Commission will take into
consideration her comments at a later time,but pursue the hiring process as it currently exists.
B. NEW BUSINESS
Noise Abatement and Good Neighbor Policy
Mr. Henry reported that he and Mr. Schlichte had individually made edits to the noise abatement and
good neighbor policy. He had distributed the document to members for review and vote at a later time.
He noted that the priority of the Commission to address the noise issue in better ways than in the past.
In this way,the policy can be shared with the new manager and start from a position of common
understanding and resolution.
Discussion ensued. Mr. Doxie suggested sharing the document with the flight schools as well as the
public before a final vote is taken. He suggested a time period of three to six months. Mr. Trefry
agreed to embrace as many stakeholders as possible including state representatives and ATC tower
management to obtain relevant feedback. The document being updated is twelve years old and the
community is entitled to the best policy.
Mr. Schlichte suggested that the noise subcommittee have ample time to review the policy with the
Commission within the next two-week period in time for the next meeting. Follow-up can then be
done with tenants and key planners and incorporate as many changes as possible and engage them in
the process as much as possible before the final vote. This will ensure a ninety-day timeframe with
still be through rather than the four-six month timeframe. Mr. Trefry suggested that the subcommittee
agree on the changes and present to the rest of the Commission as its final recommendation based on
their expertise.
Discussion ensued on the two policies running concurrently. Mr. Henry noted that the good neighbor
policy is three pages long and the noise abatement policy is more substantial and robust. Mr. Schlichte
noted that the noise abatement policy delineates certain specific procedures that he can take as a pilot
to mitigate noise in the community and how safely to do so with a clear mission to be held
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accountable. The good neighbor policy on the other hand is a holistic mission statement of the airport
to promote the atmosphere of good neighbors.While there is value in maintaining a published good
neighbor policy, it does not come with the concrete actions that the noise abatement policy dictates. Its
purpose is to raise the level of compliance that historically has not been honored.
Once the noise abatement policy is drafted, Mr. Schlichte and Mr. Henry will discuss the one policy
effective for home and visiting pilots. The one united agreement is critical to promulgating a clear
precise message that is unequivocal in its expectations and compliance. One collective document will
go a long way to not only guide the experienced pilot in clear aviation language,but educate the non-
pilot on the engagement and enforcement of noise abatement procedures published in office airport
and FAA documents. Flight schools could then tailor a good neighbor policy reflective of the noise
abatement policy.
Public Input
Gardner Trask appeared before the Commission. Given the technical complexity of the noise
abatement policy,he advised that the good neighbor policy be a separate document to be advise the
layman the terms conveyed to pilots. Mr. Trefry stated presented the flight schools have separate good
neighbor policies, and a merger of these documents would be helpful as well.
Commissioner Comment
Commissioner Gentile asked if there were applicants for positions on the Commission. Mr. Trefry
stated that five resumes had been sent to city hall and there was one candidate with experience who
was under active consideration.
Mr. Trefry commented that the airport has been in the Salem Evening News every three weeks over
the past four months. He has offered to go before the city council to discuss different topics, including
the disposition of building 45. The Commission had voted to return $159,000 to the city as its
contribution for the renovation thereof,which never occurred. He will discuss having that money
returned to the Commission as well as the topics of open seats on the Commission and providing an
update on how the airport is running in the absence of an airport manager. Both Mr. Gentile and Mr.
Schlichte suggested that Commission members attend that meeting as well.
Mr. Doxie commented that the Commission discuss the role of the airport manager as it relates to the
Commission. Discussion ensued. Mr. Henry noted that,while the Commission did not have the
authority to hire/fire the position, it had a clear policy of establishing a good relationship with the
airport manager. This was particularly important at this time with regard to "getting on the same page"
about promulgating the Commission's position on the good neighbor/noise abatement policy.
C. ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Schlichte and seconded by Mr. Gentile, it was unanimously voted to
adjourn. Mr. Trefry-Y, Mr. Gentile-Y, Mr. Schlichte-Y, Mr. Henry-Y and Mr. Doxie-Y. Motion
passed 5-0,unanimous.
The meeting adj ourned to 7:44PM.
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