HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-28
Town of Nantucket
NANTUCKET MEMORIAL AIRPORT
14 Airport Road
Nantucket Island, Massachusetts 02554
Alfred G. Peterson, Airport Manager
Phone: (508) 325-5300
Fax: (508) 325-5306
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Commissioners
E. Foley Vaughan, Chairman
Sheila O'Brien Egan,~ce Cha!!..
Carl D. ERgl<:md, Jr. ".!.J
Dual A. ~CUityre, Jo:
Finn Mn~' ?O
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NANTUCKET AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING
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February 26, 2008
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The meeting was called to order at 5:01 by Chairman E. Foley Vaughan with the following
Commissioners present: Vice Chair Sheila O'Brien Egan, Carl D. England, Jr., Dual A. Macintyre, Jr.
and Finn Murphy.
Also present were Airport Manager AI Peterson, Airfield Supervisor Jeff Marks, Finance Director Tina
Smith and Administrative Assistant to the Airport Manager Janine Torres.
The Commission unanimously m/slp approval of the January 8, 2008 minutes.
John Stanton presented his idea to produce a film of the history of aviation on the island including
interviews with local pilots. Mr. Stanton's proposal consists of different options ranging from an hour
length documentary to a series of3 to 5 minute videos. The cost of the hour-long documentary would
range from $50,000 to $80,000. After brief discussion regarding both the format and the cost, the
Commission agreed to support the project but feels the majority of the cost should be sponsored. A
sub-committee of Chairman Vaughan and Commissioner England was formed and will meet with Mr.
Stanton along with Mr. Peterson to discuss further.
Policies
The Commission Policy Statement was tabled to allow Chairman Vaughan and Commissioner
Murphy to collaborate the wording.
With no further discussion needed, the Commission unanimously m/s/p the final draft presented of the
Bunker Leasing Policy.
Janine Torres explained to the Commission the airport Rules and Regulations, voted upon in May,
2006, cannot be made official until both a Public Hearing is held and the final draft is approved by the
Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission (MAC). Each Commissioner was asked to review and suggest
changes before a Public Hearing date is scheduled for sometime in May.
2/26/08 Airport Commission Minutes
Page 2 of 4
Nobadeer Han!!ars. LLC
Having a beneficial interest, Commissioner England excused himself from discussion. Mr. Steve
Drabkin recapped the project layout changes over the last several years. Mr. Peterson announced due to
the layout change from two buildings back to three, MAC is requiring another vote of our Commission
prior to MAC taking a vote. Mr. Drabkin reported the project will move forward as soon as MAC
meets and approves the project, hopefully allowing construction to begin this summer. After reviewing
the latest set of plans, the Commission, with Commissioner Murphy and Commissioner England
abstaining, m/s/p approval of the 2/5/08 set of plans as presented with the understanding HOC needs to
approve the plans.
Terminal Proiect Update
Andy Ravins from Skanska gave a brief update of the progress made to date reporting the general
excavation work is complete, the foundation and footing walls within the basement are underway and
the basement waterproofing should be complete by mid-March. The foundation work, including the
backfilling, has an approximate comlletion date of May 1 st enabling the steel work to begin with an
approximate completion by June 10 .
Mr. Peterson reported the entrance to the secured flight trailer will be moved temporarily to the baggage
claim area to accommodate the footings that need to be done in the old Nantucket Airlines space. One
set of doors in the existing space will be moved and installed in the North wall of the baggage claim
area. Once the footings are complete, a four to six week timeframe, the entrance to the secured flight
trailer will convert to the present day system.
Mr. Ravins briefly reviewed the status of the bid packages noting most are on budget and negotiations,
as allowed by MGL Chapter 149A, will take place on those bids that are over budget.
Mr. Vaughan announced the Commission needs to review their prior decision to use a geothermal
HV AC system is as economical in the long run as first presented. The numbers are being looked at
more closely comparing the savings on heating oil vs. the cost of the electricity to run the system and
will be discussed at the next Commission Meeting. Commissioner Macintyre wants to ensure the
numbers include any cost savings created by re-using the water in the terminal for fresh water and
irrigation.
Mr. Peterson reported that interior finishes have been selected with by the sub committee of Chairman
Vaughan and Vice Chair Egan with the help of Sandy Holland and Bill McGuire. The best surface for
the baggage claim area floor is still being decided.
ATCT Update
Mr. Peterson summarized his recent trip to Washington DC where he confirmed the $2,695 million
appropriation awarded to us for moving the air traffic control tower. An additional $500,000 was
awarded for facility replacement but it cannot be combined with the tower money. Therefore it will be
applied towards the terminal project. Mr. Peterson is working to ensure additional tower funds in the
Federal '09 budget. Mr. Peterson continued by explaining $5 million has been budgeted but believes
the project will cost less. Once the funds are received, profiling and site location work can begin. Mr.
Peterson pointed out the preferred location for the new tower would be in the Bunker area just south of
the SRE Building.
2/26/08 Airport Commission Minutes
Page 3 of 4
Union Contract
Mr. Peterson announced that Union negotiations were completed and the contract has been signed by all
parties. A formal vote of the Commission should be done. Mr. Peterson reported Town Counsel, for
the first time, is requiring the contract to go to Town Meeting even though the airport contract does not
affect the tax base. After brief discussion regarding the calculation of the percentage increase, the
Commission m/s/p unanimous approval of the Union Contract for the period of July 1, 2007 through
June 30,2010.
Environmental
In Jack Wheeler's absence, Mr. Peterson only reported the early morning compliance by announcing
the Noise Abatement Award for January was awarded to Island Airlines with 89.14% compliance. The
only other commercial airline to reach the required 85% compliance was Cape AirINantucket Air with
85.29%. Nantucket Shuttle, however, continues to fall well below at 79%. Discussion took place
regarding the overwhelming reception of the new incentive program among the pilots who are using the
coupons they've earned in the airport gift shop and restaurant. Commissioner Macintyre noted
Nantucket Shuttle may be finally realizing the incentives because the numbers for February, so far show
them in the lead. Commissioner Murphy noted he is preparing additional material to be displayed in
the pilot areas to ensure they are aware of the incentives for compliance.
Operations
Mr. Peterson reported:
. There have been only three plowing events this winter
. TfW Lighting project is complete
. Part 139 Inspection is set for mid May
. SMGCS Plan has been approved by the FAA
. FAA has a new runway incursion program involving mandatory annual recurring driver
training for everyone operating vehicles on the AOA
Mr. Peterson noted the April Commission Meeting needs to be re-scheduled from its normal schedule
of April 8th to AprillSth for two reasons. 1). To not overlap Town Meeting, and 2) to allow sufficient
time to submit the FAA Grant Application for the Terminal Project once the GMP is announced by
Skanska. Mr. Ravins stressed he cannot guarantee knowing the GMP by the 15th but will certainly
strive to reach that goal. April 22nd, the fall back date, is the absolute latest the GMP announcement can
take place.
Commissioner Murphy updated everyone on the meeting held with the airline tenants back in January
with the newly formed "Temporary Facilities" Sub Committee of Vice Chair Egan and Commissioner
Murphy. The meeting was an exchange of ideas and tour of the facilities. It was determined the best
course of action would be to remove the two airline offices in the Annex to open the space, add
automatic doors to the front of the annex and increase signage above the ticket counter. Mr. Peterson
reported an additional trailer is on the way to accommodate moving the two airline offices from the
Annex and Cape Air which is still occupying Nantucket Airlines old office space. The trailers will not
arrive until after the HOC and building department approval. Mr. Peterson announced two televisions
have been installed, one in the Annex and one in the secured hold room trailer. Chairman Vaughan
suggested incorporating a "power tower" in both our temporary facilities and the new facilities to
enable travelers to plug in any electronics while they wait to travel.
2/26/08 Airport Commission Minutes
Page 4 of 4
Mr. Peterson mentioned the need for the sub committee to meet again soon regarding the secured flights
facilities noting the preliminary airline schedules indicate aU carriers flights are arriving around 11 :00
a.m.
Chairman Vaughan reminded the Mr. Peterson the artwork needs signage.
Audience member and Cape Air employee Walter Flaherty noted the last set of automatic doors leading
out the secured flight trailers are not operating. Mr. Peterson explained those are the doors being
relocated to the baggage claim area to serve as the temporary exit to the trailers.
Mr. Flaherty requested benches are placed inside the ticketing trailers for those passengers who do not
want to go back to the main terminal before TSA calls screening for their flight.
Having no other public comments, it was mlslp to go into Executive Session to discuss both a lease and
legal matter, not to reconvene in Public Session by the following vote:
Chairman E. Foley Vaughan - Aye
Vice Chair Sheila O'Brien Egan - Aye
Commissioner Carl D. England, Jr. - Aye
Commissioner Dual A. Macintyre, Jr. - Aye
Commissioner Finn Murphy - Aye
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,