2-13-2023 BEVERLY AIRPORT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 13,2023
LOCATION: 50 L.P. Henderson Rd., Beverly Airport East Side
PRESENT: Commissioners Paul Trefry,Aaron Henry, Jason Reulet, Peter Gentile, Josh Doxie and
Jeffry Schlichte
OTHERS PRESENT: Steven Rawding
ABSENT.-
PUBLIC: Ace Chase, Joseph Rinaldi, Rachel Abell, Robin Guillet, John Creeden and
Timothy Martins
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, Mr. Reulet-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 announced that the public comment agenda item will be moved to the end of the
meeting.
3. Acceptance of Minutes—January 9,2023
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Doxie and seconded by Mr. Reulet, it was unanimously voted to
approve the above minutes. Roll call vote: Mr. Trefry-Y, Mr. Henry-Y, Mr. Schlichte-Y, Mr.
Doxie-Y, Mr. Reulet-Y and Mr. Gentile-Y. Motion passed 6-0,unanimous.
4. Reading of the Financial Report—Mr.Rawding
Mr. Rawding reported the following revenues for January, 2023 as compared with January, 2022:
a)fuel flowage fee revenue at$4,549.70 represented a decrease of$117.10;b)traffic count at
5,831 represented an increase of 1,237;and c)landing fee revenue at$7,749.12 represented an
increase of$184.48.
The FY23 budget is on track with$256,547.73 in available funds. Although it has been a mild
winter thus far,we are only half-way through and there may be additional expenses for snow and
ice.
Discussion ensued. Mr. Trefry noted that request may be made of the city council to move
additional enterprise funds into the budget if needed.
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S. Airport Solutions Group Presentation —Mr.Rawding
In Mr. Schuster's absence,Mr. Rawding reviewed the Airport Solutions Group monthly status
report including the following highlights:
Airport Master Plan.ASG received a determination letter, dated January 30, 2023, from the
Obstruction Evaluation—Airport Airspace Analysis (OEAAA)process. The letter had minor
comments regarding the Airport Layout Plan(ALP)drawings which ASG has addressed and sent
back to the FAA for concurrence on February 2, 2023. Once the FAA agrees with the revisions
then the ALP/Master Plan will be sent out for signatures by the Airport, MassDOT Aeronautics
Division, and the FAA.
EA/ENF or 5-year AMPUprojects(Reconstruction of RW 16-34 and Parallel TW'E). ASG,
Airport, MassDOT Aeronautics Divisions, and the FAA had a pre-design scoping meeting on
January 26,2023,to discuss the environmental permitting scope of this project. During the
meeting it was discovered that there are parcels of land the airport needs to acquire to construct
the future parallel Taxiway E.Without having control of these parcels,the FAA and MassDOT
Aeronautics Division cannot proceed with permitting. Therefore,it was decided to push this
project off(most likely 2024)until the parcels can be acquired.
Aeronautical Study Runway 16-34 and 92Z. ASG,Airport,MassDOT Aeronautics Divisions,
and the FAA had a pre-design scoping meeting on January 27, 2023,to discuss the scope of work
for the aeronautical study. ASG is in the process of developing a scope of work based off the
comments from the scoping meeting. Once the scope of work is written then ASG will send out to
the Airport, FAA, and MassDOT Aeronautics Division for review before developing a fee.
Cold Storage Building—ASMPProject. The cold storage building project is on hold per
MassDOT due to funding.
Discussion ensued on the various projects.
Miscellaneous. ASG is providing airport management services of two days/week.
Mr. Trefry expressed appreciation for the services of Mr. Rawding.
6. Airport Manager's Report
Mr. Rawding presented the airport manager report including the following highlights. Kudos to
the airport's part-time mechanic,Dave Paras, for interceding in a potential problem caused by an
aircraft's taking off with a non-secure fuel cap.
Contracts have been renewed to continue environmental monitoring of PFAS and petroleum and
required reporting to Mass DEP and EPA, as well as contract renewal for on-call services with
GZA for the water protection program. Permits for wildlife management have lapsed and contact
with Epsilon has been made for their services and reporting to MassDEP and EPA.
A safety action team meeting with the regional FAA administrator has been scheduled with the
airport control tower to review potential hot spots and operational field issues.
The city stepped in to provide camera security monitoring services due to an inadvertent lapse in
payment to Galaxy. Payments will be brought up to date.
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B. NEW BUSINESS
Presentation by Avier Aviation
Mr. Trefry reported that Avier Aviation had a successful meeting on raising awareness of noise
abatement issues and will present their findings at the next meeting.
Review of Candidates for the Airport Manager Position
Mr. Trefry reported on the specifics of the hiring process for the next airport manager. The
Commission is the appointed body to recommend the hiring of a candidate and the city Human
Resources Director completes the vetting process.
The Mayor,his Chief of Staff and DPS Commissioner Mike Collins interviewed eight of the twenty
total applicants and identified eight finalists. Those finalists were interviewed and four were chosen
for the Commission's interview. Commissioners Trefry, Doxie, Reulet,Henry and Gentile repeated
the interviews with the four finalists. Mr. Schlichte was out of town. The question asked by all
candidates of the Commissioners was "what will be the signs of the manager's successful first year."
Mr. Trefry stated that the development of relationships with airport partners and the neighborhoods
and the ability to work with the city and governmental agencies was a vital piece of the manager's
responsibilities. He stated that all four candidates demonstrated amazing talent and skills and whoever
is chosen will serve the airport well.
Mr. Trefry asked each Commissioner to comment on the interviews of each candidate. Mr. Schlichte,
although not present for the interviews, stated that it is was important that the successful candidate is
the "right fit"personality-wise for the position. All Commissioners made statements on the
qualifications of the candidates and reiterated that the choice of one was a difficult one as they all had
skills appropriate to the role of manager.
Following discussion, Mr. Trefry polled each Commissioner for their choice. The unanimous choice
was andidate Gabriel Hanafan.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Doxie and seconded by Mr. Reulet, it was voted to extend an offer of
employment to Gabriel Hanafan subject to the human resources city appointment process. Mr. Trefry-
Y, Mr. Henry-Y, Mr. Schlichte-A, Mr. Doxie-Y, Mr. Reulet-Y and Mr. Gentile-Y. Motion passed
5-0-1 with Mr. Schlichte abstaining.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Doxie and seconded by Mr. Reulet, it was voted to designate the
authority to Mr. Trefry on behalf of the Commission to contact references of Mr. Hanafan. Mr. Trefry-
Y, Mr. Henry-Y, Mr. Schlichte-A, Mr. Doxie-Y, Mr. Reulet-Y and Mr. Gentile-Y. Motion passed
5-0-1 with Mr. Schlichte abstaining.
Noise Abatement Policy
Mr. Schlichte reported that he, Mr. Henry and Mr. Doxie had completed their review of the noise
abatement policy and incorporated all their individual suggestions into one draft. He is in the process
of reaching out to primary stakeholders like the flight schools,FBO's, airport tower and other willing
participants to conduct a public subcommittee meeting to obtain further feedback. A final draft will
then completed for review by the entire Commission.
Discussion ensued. Mr. Henry stated that he is working on a secondary document with regard to the
good neighbor policy,which will eventually be incorporated into the entire noise abatement policy
document. Mr. Schlichte noted that the latter is intended to have the greatest impact on pilots with
concrete suggestions on quieter takeoffs,while the good neighbor policy is the embodiment of the
overall intent of the airport to address neighborhood concerns. Mr. Doxie noted that he has had fruitful
conversations with the tower control manager in increasing the public's awareness of the steps that are
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taken to shift operations to achieve the intended result and how the weather contributes to patterns of
aircraft.
Commissioner Comment
Mr. Reulet expressed his appreciation for having the opportunity to serve on the Commission.
Discussion ensued and Mr. Trefry brought the two new committee members up-to-date on the
Commission's attempts to work with the city on resolution. On the financial adviser's information
about the availability of airport funds, Mr. Trefry will meet with the Finance Director for the city to
determine the exact funds available.
Mr. Trefry stated that there are currently three open seats on the Commission,two from Beverly and
one from Danvers. Five resumes have been sent to city hall.He noted that his and Mr. Gentile's time
on the Commission is soon coming to an end. He stated that it has been five years since the
Commission has had a full nine-member seating. He will contact the Mayor's office tomorrow about
the possibility of dropping the required number of seats to seven. Following discussion,
Commissioners were in agreement to pursue that option.
Mr. Gentile commented on the effectiveness of Mr. Trefry's appearance before the City Council and
his presentation of the challenges the Commission is facing. Mr. Trefry noted that he attributes these
challenges to the growth the airport has experienced in the addition of a second flight school,the
upgrade of the FBO and the rebound recently experienced in general aviation. He also addressed the
current situation in terms of revenue and the impact of Building 45 on loss of leasing revenue. He
reviewed the history of the building that began seven years ago and the initial unfulfilled plan of the
city to renovate the building with a contribution of$300 thousand from the city and $100,000 from the
airport. He received full support from the Council to advance the project. He is also meeting with the
Council's financial adviser on March 3'to walk through the building and explore ideas for financing.
Discussion ensued on the Commission's options to move the project forward.
Following discussion and upon motion duly made by Mr. Trefry and seconded by Mr. Gentile, it was
voted that the Commission seek financial support from the Mayor of Beverly of up to $250 thousand
for continued renovations to Building 45. Mr. Trefry-Y, Mr. Henry-Y, Mr. Schlichte-A, Mr. Doxie-Y,
Mr. Reulet-Y and Mr. Gentile-Y. Motion passed 6-0,unanimous.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Both Mr. Trefry and Mr. Doxie requested that comments be made in a civil manner.
Ace Chase appeared before the Commission.He reported that he has been addressing the wildlife
issue at the airport for ten years on an unofficial basis due to negligence of prior management staff in
taking the necessary steps to ensure correct permitting. He also urged the Commission to take the
necessary steps to address noise abatement.
Joseph Rinaldi appeared before the Commission. He has been a resident of the town of Danvers for
fifty-five years and complained of the noise from jets flying over hi neighborhood. Regardless of
decibel levels,noise is noise. If towns are banning gas leaf blowers due to noise,how much more of a
problem is the noise from constant aircraft flying overhead. He also urged the Commission to address
the toxic pollution caused by leaded fuel which is a serious threat to the health of children.
Robin Guillet of Beverly appeared before the Commission. She complained of low-flying jets over her
property as early as 7:OOAM and as late as I LOOPM. Her house shakes, all conversation stops and she
is unable to enjoy any outdoor activities,including walking her dog. She feared that the planned
expansion of runways will enable larger and louder jets. She is "not living in East Boston or
Winthrop"but what should be a family-oriented residential neighborhood. She offered to be part of
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the noise abatement subcommittee to"work hard with each other to minimize, reduce or eliminate
noise.
Timothy Martin appeared before the Commission. He offered his company's data management
services to assist the Commission in noise abatement. Discussion ensued. The Commission was open
to his offer for assistance in its many benefits especially his serving as a knowledgeable intermediary
with the public on the complex facts of airport operations and management. The Commission will be
in touch with him.
Rachel Appel of Beverly appeared before the Commission. She stated that she lives two miles from
the airport. She applauded the efforts of the control tower to monitor the safe arrival and departure of
aircraft. As a pilot herself, she is appreciative of the two flight schools who provide excellent
education of pilots. She expressed appreciation also for the efforts of the Commission to advance the
good neighbor policy.
John Creeden of Beverly appeared before the Commission. He urged the Commission to implement
the recent action of the FAA to approve the use of unleaded fuel by 2030. Discussion ensued.While
the Commission is in favor of the recent ruling, outside changing the infrastructure to enable the use
of unleaded fuel will take time. The Commission will monitor the situation.
D. ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Schlichte and seconded by Mr. Doxie, it was unanimously voted to
adjourn. Mr. Trefry-Y, Mr. Henry-Y, Mr. Schlichte-Y, Mr. Doxie-Y, Mr. Reulet-Y and Mr. Gentile-Y.
Motion passed 6-0. The meeting adjourned to 8:03PM.
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