11-13-2023 BEVERLY AIRPORT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 13,2023
LOCATION: 50 L.P. Henderson Rd., Beverly Airport East Side
PRESENT: Commissioners Paul Trefry, Jason Reulet, Jessie Zuberek,Josh Doxsee,Kyle Retallack
and Bill Kossowan(remote)
OTHERSPRESENT: Airport Manager Gabe Hanafin and Craig Schuster of ASG Group
ABSENT: Aaron Henry and Khris Hendricks
PUBLIC: Tony Bettencourt and Peter Eichleay
RECORDER: Christine Martin Barraford
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Trefry called the meeting to order at approximately 6:OOPM, which is being audio and video
recorded as a hybrid meeting. Roll call was taken and members present were: Chair Trefry, Mr.
Retallack, Mr. Reulet, Mr. Doxsee, Mr. Kossowan (remote)and Ms. Zuberek.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Trefry led those in attendance in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Approval of Regular Open Meeting Minutes—October 10,2023
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Doxsee and seconded by Ms. Zuberek, it was unanimously voted
to approve the above minutes. Mr. Trefry-Y, Mr. Kossowan-Y,Mr. Reulet-Y, Ms. Zuberek-Y,
Mr. Doxsee-Y, and Mr. Retallack-Y. Motion passed 6-0.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
Tenant Comments
Peter Eichleay of FlightAviation gave the following update on hangar construction. He has engaged
with FAA and MassDOT on the project. Multiple test pits determined a favorable top soil for a load
bearing project, and hyper waterflow tests were favorable. Shovels in the ground are expected in the
spring. As a result of a presentation to the Danvers Conservation Commission last Thursday,a
consultant has been hired to affirm the wetland buffer with results expected by December 14'.
Mr. Hanafin reported that a meeting is scheduled with the FAA and environmental staff to go over
ground check and ensure correct permitting.
General Public Comment
Tony Bettencourt appeared before the Commission. He had viewed online recordings of aircraft
patterns flying too low over neighborhoods,primarily touch-and-go's. Chair Trefry responded that
there should be ways to train individual pilots effectively and legally that they are turning too quickly
at too low an elevation.
appeared before the Commission and expressed appreciation for the efforts of the
tower to ensure safety of operations.
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C. PRESENTATIONS
Airport Solutions Group—Craig Schuster
Mr. Schuster reviewed the Airport Solutions Group monthly status report including the following
highlights:
Aeronautical Study Runway 16-34 and 9-27(FY2023). Coordination of work to collect site data for
the construction data.
EA/EENFfor five yearAMPUprojects included reconstruction ofRW 16-34 and TW`E'and
Access Rd.lSingle EIR total project cost based on CIP est. New Project for FY2024. ASG will be
coordinating a pre-design/scoping meeting in the next few weeks.
Miscellaneous. ASG attended annual CIP meeting on Tuesday, October 17'i'. In attendance was ASG,
BVY, FAA and MassDOT Aeronautics. Stec attached for the airport's CIP for FY2024.
Discussion ensued on the details of the various projects.
D. AIRPORT MANAGER'S REPORT
Financial and Operations Report
Mr. Hanafin reviewed the financial and operations report for the previous month and year-to-date as
detailed in the attached spreadsheet. FY23 books have been closed.
Discussion ensued with regard to the general fund and what the City had determined to be the airport's
direct and indirect annual costs, and what the final subsidy to the airport was. Mr. Hanafin reviewed
the accounting process, and will follow up with the City to obtain final financials.
Discussion also ensued on the reasons for the increased landing fees year over year.
CIP Meeting
Mr. Hanafin reported the CIP meeting had been held on October 17'which included a five-year
review of projects and funding. Discussion ensued on the FAA's decision to push back the runway
project to 2027 and reduce the required width from 100 to 75 feet. This was not in accordance with the
master plan developed three years ago.
Chair Trefry, calling the decision a"gut punch," stated the airport is now set back where it was four or
five years ago. Following discussion it was agreed that Mr. Hanafin will follow up with Colleen of the
FAA to discuss what criteria the FAA used for the decision and the timeline for gathering full
information to go forward.
Chair Trefry began the discussion on options for installation of fencing and funding thereof as well as
compliance before the termination date in September.
MAMA Conference
Mr. Hanafin reported on his attendance at the Municipal Airports Management and Advisory
Committee Meeting in October.Workshops offered information on several topics of information on
the sustainable option of unleaded gas and autonomy of municipal airports.Networking with state
officials and others was also informative. Ms. Zuberek was also in attendance and relayed the
importance of the latter in terms of being in control of the management of grant awards. Chair Trefry
noted that Chapter 70 clearly identifies the role of the airport commission and its independence. Mr.
Hanafin will distribute written information from the conference as well as videos.
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New Venture
Peter Eichleay of FlightAviation reported on a new company that he started in conjunction with MIT
Al coders to create the gold standard in SMART technology for military quality high-definition
cameras that capture aircraft landings. This creates a cinematic prototype that captures non-granular
perfect data 99.8%correct that cannot be challenged. This technology could be used to capture
transient touch-and-go's and other aircraft violating FAA rules. The technology is currently being
used in municipal airports in Norwood and Brunswick, Maine as well as a commercial airport in
Pensacola, FL.
Discussion ensued. Mr. Eichleay stated that the technology can create a customizable prototype for an
airport's specifications. The data is more complete and accurate than the present FlightAware data. Its
capabilities could be used to capture data as a reality check for master plans to the airport's favor, and
specifically for the present issue the Commission has with the FAA's decision on runway projects.
Following discussion, Mr. Eichleay and his partners were enthusiastically invited to make a formal
present to the Commission at its next meeting. Mr. Kossowan remotely expressed that he was looking
forward to the presentation for the proposed equipment.
Public Comment
Tariq Tasheh appeared remotely before the Commission.He stated that he had forwarded the link to
the Commission of the FlightAware data,which offers different packages of monthly or archived data
for purchase. Although not 99.8%correct, it offers data that is based on a specific type of inquiry and
is linked to other databases containing specific information like owners of tail aircraft tail numbers.
Discussion ensued. Chair Trefry suggested connecting with Colleen at FAA and asking what various
types of technology packages and platforms with pre-existing archived information they consult for
data. Mr. Hanafin will follow up.
E. REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES
Noise Abatement Subcommittee
Chair Trefry stated that, in the absence of the Chair,the report will be tabled until the next meeting.
F. NEW BUSINESS
There was none.
G. OLD BUSINESS
H. Address the proposed return of$111,000 of City funds earmarked exclusively
Building 45 construction
Chair Trefry proposed that the Commission return to the City the $111K remaining in the construction
fund and earmarked for renovation of Building 45. Based on the fact that the $111K is 20%of the full
estimated amount of$675K for renovation,which may or may not happen, it is unlikely that the
Commission would ever invest additional monies when projects like runways and taxiways are a
pressing financial need.
Discussion ensued. Both Ms. Zuberek and Mr. Rettalack stated that it was their understanding, on
advice of attorneys,these monies could not be returned to the City and had to remain in the fund.
Chair Trefry will reach out to attorneys to confirm.
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I. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Chairman's Comments— Chair Trefry
Update on Open Beverly Seat on the Commission
Chair Trefry reported that he had forwarded the resume of an interested applicant with extensive
airport experience to the Mayor as a candidate to fill the Beverly seat on the Commission,but has not
yet heard back.
Update on lease negotiations for Airport Road
The lease for Building 19 has been signed off by the City at fair market value and now is ready for
Commission review. Toward that end a special meeting will be called to review the document.
Following discussion it was agreed that a meeting will be held either next Monday or Tuesday at
6:OOPM,to be determined. Chair Trefry stated that following the execution of this lease, leases with
other tenants will be addressed.
Commissioner Comments—Bill Kossowan
Mr. Kossowan,participating remotely,noted the poor quality of the audio transmission. Chair Trefry
stated that improvements are planned with the addition of high quality microphones.
Mr. Kosswan suggested that hangar flying sessions and FAA safety sessions be reinstituted following
a Covid delay. These informal meetings cover all topics of flying in a casual, fun atmosphere....."no
politics.....no gripes."He will coordinate with the tower and the airport manager in scheduling
upcoming meetings, and he will supply light refreshments.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion duly made by Ms. Zuberek and seconded by Mr. Retallack, it was unanimously voted to
adjourn. Mr. Trefry-Y, Mr. Kossowan-Y,Mr. Reulet-Y, Ms. Zuberek-Y, Mr. Doxsee-Y and Mr.
Retallack-Y. Motion passed 6-0,unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50PM.
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