I guess >> we are recording >> to him and said that they're going to send um a wind sock free charge this morning. >> So Oh, did you hear you on that? >> Yes. Okay. I figured you might have 60 mph winds tomorrow night. So
this one's probably >> Okay. Um, >> 531. >> Yeah, I'll I'll talk about it. Yeah, I will make a motion that we >> have and I will talk.
>> Okay, very good. Yeah, a lot of information came out that we have and uh >> we'll talk fast. >> Well, that was the last meeting. Um uh we can dive right into your
>> Oh, if you want. >> Would you like to? Okay. >> Cuz we uh there's a little bit of news business at the end and then whatever um Isabelle has. Okay. Um I will keep it short and sweet. Uh Gail's update. Um
on page one, uh the wildlife hazard site visit that is completely done. Um I know Isabelle, you had already gotten back to us uh back to me today about the payment um that's being processed. So that I wrote this before um before you sent me that
email. So, the um the two final invoices once those are paid, we'll take this off of the agenda. Moving forward, uh page two of three, the environmental assessment, which has now been reduced to a documented uh categorical exclusion
for the tree clearing, easements, and fence installation. Um the draft obstruction study report was uh provided to the April Commission for review at the last meeting. Uh following that meeting, we forwarded the draft report
over to Masio team FA for review and comment. I received some comments back from the FAA, but I have not received um Sorry, I misspoke. I received some comments back from Mass D, but I have not received the FAA comments.
>> Yeah. Anything significant? >> Oh, no. Not nothing. No, nothing significant so far. It should be it should be pretty quick fixes. I usually wait till I get all the comments and then compile it into one um revised document. So um let's see. So we're
continuing to work on the documented categorical exclusion project with Stacy Grove of Newark Ecological. Um we just sent over our draft for her review. So she's going to um give it an environmental review and let us know
what might need to change and be updated. And then we should have, excuse me, we should have a draft uh to present to all of you at the December meeting. Al, just to bring you up to speed, um FAA requires in order to qualify for
federal funding that any proposed projects using what's called airport improvement program money um has to be vetted through an environmental process. So the three projects that are upcoming on the airport's capital improvement plan are the um navigation easements
which are airspace easements to clear trees the subsequent tree clearing and then fence installation that resulted from the wildlife hazard site visit study that I spoke about um as the first project. So basically identified that there were deer or other critters coming
onto the runway and recommended that fencing would be helpful to mitigate some of those hazards. So anyway, so those three projects are being vetted through an environmental review process and we should have that uh document prepared for the December meeting and that'll go through all different um
impact categories, your uh your you know plants, bunnies, birds, uh your water resources, uh archaeological resources, all there's 13 different categories that you have to review. Um air quality, things like that. um
to make sure that there won't be significant impacts in the environment of the projects. Sorry to go off on a tangent. Anyone have questions about the EA or obstruction study project? Okay, moving on to page three. Uh other
information, the airport CIP meeting was held virtually on Wednesday, October 15th. Um and there were a few different items discussed. Uh Isabelle, jump in at any point about misspeaking at all because I know you um you were involved for that meeting as well. Um so the FAA
uh did inform us at that meeting that they would only fund clearing of the airport's visual approaches. Um so that I mean fortunately that does reduce the project cost by a significant amount. um
you know just a far fewer easements to negotiate, far fewer um areas of trees that need to be addressed and things like that. Um so we are now you know again at the direction of FAA moving
forward with uh the following projects in the CIP or you know discussions about the following projects. I know we have to talk about funding and whatnot. So, nine easements on the visual one instead of was it 14 or something like that? >> It was I think it I think it was 18.
Yeah, I think there were there were >> there was 17. I thought >> on Yeah, there were there's there are I think either option there only four um off of 36, but the neighborhood here off
of 18 it's a it's a far less um impact to the community there. So, um, so we talked about the the navigation easement acquisitions and basically to give a little background for anyone who doesn't know, when accepting federal funding to
clear trees off of an approach, FAA requires that an airport has perpetual property rights to go out and clear the trees and then continually maintain those areas as things pop up in the future. So, the reason obligation
easement is if you had just simply negotiated a tree clearing agreement with one property owner, that property owner leaves and now you don't have rights to go clear anymore. So the FAA says, "No, we need an easement over this parcel that gives us the rights to go
out and clear any trees that pop up into the approach service or gives the airport the right to go out and do that." >> They still use their backyard. >> Yep. So, we only have the right to take down the tree because it's tall. They can still use even though we pay them.
>> Yes. >> They can still use >> they they can use they can do anything they wish to do. We're well we the airport is just purchasing the airspace rights and the rights to enter the property to take down the trees. But what ends up happening is um you know
when the trees come down on a residential property there will be um some like landscaping restoration that's done in those areas. So the property owner can still they can even plant other trees provided those or or shrubs
or things like that that don't grow past a certain height. um they can, you know, they have the, you know, full use of their property on the ground to build and do whatever it is. As long as anything isn't constructed above a certain height or planted that would grow above a certain height, they can,
you know, there's no other limitation. Okay. >> Yeah. So, we're proposing the 2026 project as those airspace sement acquisitions and then 2027 um and there's a copy of the the CIP as the last page here just has all the funding
breakdowns and everything like that with the cost assessment. Um so we do the design and permitting for the tree clearing and then 2028 you'd actually do the tree clearing itself. Um, and then when we start talking about 2029, 2030,
and 2031, um, FAA just likes to see projects in there that may be coming up. We can always push them out, um, a little bit further if there is, you know, a funding issue or something else comes up that's a priority for the airport, uh, you can
always push those projects back. One thing I did want to mention about the 2026 funding is um FAA is funding typically funds 90% share of any airport improvement program projects but for
fiscal year 25 and 26 they're actually contributing um 95% which brings the local share down to 2 and a half% rather than 5%. So typically it's 90% fed, 5% state, 5% local. But for fiscal year
2026, you have 95% fed, two and a half state, two and a half local. So um that's why, you know, I think if the airport does decide to move forward with this navigation easement project, it would be beneficial to do it in 2026
because you'd be saving. >> All we have to do is get the process started. >> That's right. >> Watch the end of the 26 years. >> Yep. So, so, so really I and I know Isabelle's already initiated this um the discussion about some of the funding. So, thank you for thank you for doing
that. Um we are more than happy to um sit down with you and the mayor, Isabelle if you'd like or Jim if you would, you know, whoever needs to be in that conversation. Um you know, just to discuss the project, the need for the project um and answer any questions,
and just to let everyone know for easement projects, the work does have to be uh conducted upfront. So, you have a process where you're trying to determine what is the fair market value of this easement that the airport is going to buy from this property owner and you
need to do several things. So, you need to survey the property to know where the property boundaries are and to identify where the easement will be. Um, you need to have an appraisal done of the property. So, how much is the value of this easement? And then a third-party
independent reviewer um by law has to review that appraisal to just make sure um that everything is you know kosher and that there there is a fair market value and that is the fair assessment. There's some legal surface uh legal
services that will be required to prepare paperwork and do um conduct research, title searches and things like that to make sure that who you're buying the property from has the rights to give you the easement um and there aren't any issues with the title. So, a lot of that
work does have to happen um upfront because the FAA will only fund a grant um on an actual price of the easement. So you have to have at minimum you have to have a purchase and sale agreement
basically in hand. You don't have to actually file the easement yet, but you need at least a purchase and sale agreement in hand to um provide to the FAA to apply for the funding. So with planning projects, this type of project,
um the grants application deadline is usually in the spring. And so it's it's a it's a pretty quick turnaround. I know they've been doing last year we had some deadlines that were March 1st, April March 1st and April 1st. So it'd be a
pretty quick turnaround to, you know, get the project scoped, uh, reach out to the property owners, do all the title searches, get all these elements in place, um, and then actually negotiate those agreements with the owners. So our
recommendation as your consultant would be if you can confirm the local share as soon as possible. That way we can start to scope the project and get um you know get that together with with um FAA mass DOT to actually put a scope of work
together to do this work. Um it it's it's pretty important because it's going to be quite a lift I would say to get the grant application in in order to qualify for that 2 and 12% situation for the local share. So we're happy on our
end like I said to do whatever you all need us to do to get that um moving and get that happening um whatever it is. So just please lean on us. Um >> okay I've already asked him but he um He has to bring it to the city council.
Okay. >> And he has to approve it. So, >> okay, >> it's going. I just have to get back to him. >> Yeah. Now that it's >> now that the election's over, >> he's not preoccupied. >> How do you put a value on the air?
So what they do is they will do um a determination of the property value and then they will do an assessment of the diminishment in value that is um being taken on from that easement and that's the value that the property owner is
paid. So say a property is valued at you know 50 uh $500,000 and after this easement is placed the price will reduce uh the property price would be reduced to 450. you would you would pay the property owner $50,000
as a for fair market value. That's a that's an extreme, you know, um of we have um in the CIP you'll see we have >> we're not we're not buying the property. We're just getting for the still and they're still going to use it.
>> They're still going to Yeah. >> It doesn't have any effect on what they do. And and so so some of the parcels that are identified and um and I don't want to get too too much in the weeds because I know you all have other things to discuss, but um some of the pro the parcels are vacant parcels. So when
you're talking about a vacant parcel, there's no residential, there's no one living there. You're probably looking at a much lower purchase price than someone who has a house and lives there and things like that. Um, so we as out of an abundance of caution, we are estimating
$25,000 per easement. We don't think that they will all come in that high. Um, it will probably end up being less. But I figured, you know, nobody wants surprises. And so I figured, you know, rather than have maybe a surprise come up that something is more expensive, um,
you know, make sure that we're we're accounting for like a contingency in there. So, >> okay. Um, so anyway, I know it's a lot of information, especially Al to throw at you um, you know, on on uh, day one, but I appreciate everyone's time today.
Happy to answer any questions that you may have. Um, I think everybody has my card. Um, Al, I'll give you my card, too. If you end up having any questions about it, you can call me or email me um, at any point and happy to, you know,
happy to chat. Well, as soon as I hear yes or no, I'll let know. >> Okay, that sounds great. >> Everybody know. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Now, uh they're still considering the visual approach and the
>> um let me get the terminology right. Non-precision approach and a visual approach. >> It's just a visual approach. The FAA will only pay. They confirmed during the CIP meeting that they'll only pay to clear the visual visuals
of the >> Yeah. And that's >> Yeah, exactly. It's it's the minimum level of of protection that the that the runway would would need. >> And then that will, you know, that'll
get you up to, you know, compliance and address all those trees. Um. >> Okay. ultimately will few years but >> you need a vote on that. >> Um no I don't need a vote on anything tonight. I think the I think the biggest
part is um understanding whether or not the city has the local share and then once we develop a scope of work and a fee then well well when we develop the scope of work we'll have the commission approve the scope of work. >> So the local share would be 15,000. Yes.
Yeah. And it's it's an estimate. We we would hope again we hope that those easement prices would come in lower. Um >> you know, but >> we've got one piece out there that already has an >> and not to get not to get in the weeds about it, but um
>> I know that that easement was purchased. Gosh, it has to be in the 80s, I want to say. And I I am I don't know whether that easement will satisfy the current um
>> ement understood. But what I'm saying, Jim, is I don't know if the easement was put in place to satisfy a different regulation, an old regul regulation that is now um not in, you know, not valid
anymore. So, we have to comply with the current standards and it may actually be of benefit um to the airport if it is a new approach surface, which I I suspect it I suspect it is, but I would rather have a legal person um review that
documentation and confirm that. Um but it would be of benefit actually if it if it is a new easement in a way because FAA will not pay to maintain areas. they will only pay to conduct the initial
tree clearing. So if that area has already been cleared using AIP money, then you would end up in a situation where you'd have to seek U mass DOT funding maybe for that particular area. But if it is a new approach type, then
it's like a clean slate. So you get to start the process all over again and then, you know, kind of start fresh. My my uh yeah my take was that the easements are permanent I have to be >> yes and and the easement would be
permanent but what I'm saying is that the stipulations >> the stipulation or how far down how low we go >> yes that's exactly right I I don't I don't know that it fully satisfies the existing regulations that we need to
follow and that's what um that'll be included in the scope of work. I don't want to get off into the weeds with everything, but >> on the other end too, I was going to uh there's on the off the south end the uh
is going to be possibly sold in the next year or so for a housing project. And what I was going to try and do was intercept that to make sure that it has an easement already on it. Well, if we
can initiate if we can initiate the project this fiscal year, maybe we can circumvent that and and um before it gets sold. That that's very >> during the process cuz there's a developer that's going to buy it. And
he's according to the administrator in Hudson, he's very amendable to >> working with everybody in the neighborhood and around. Okay. It's mostly the hill and way off the other side as well. >> Okay, >> that's all in and there's
there it's part of it but there's not uh not as much of course if it was the non-precision approach. >> Right. Right. So, so again as part of the negotiations and everything that you know Gail Gail will do on behalf of the
airport um or presuming if you know the consult selection goes you know certainly um but um your consultant uh would do good >> well once you start the project you keep it. >> That is true.
>> I don't know if this is considered starting or not. >> Well I mean I think I think we'll yeah we'll we'll probably wait until then. decision. >> It's learning the ways. >> Okay, you all set? >> I'm all set unless anyone has anything. >> Thank you all.
>> Good. Isabelle, what are you? >> Okay, so a good segue. So, we have extra monies from the runway project after everything has been paid. There is $15,500
plus approximately $4500 left over after everyone has been paid on the runway project. So, I have asked the mayor if we can have that $15,500 for that project and the $4,500. I've
asked him if we can have that project and put it into our repairs budget or have it for our budget because it was earmarked for the airport and it it I feel it should stay at the airport. So,
um he is he just said give him some time. So, I'll get back with him probably Monday and ask him if he can um you know, move forward and give us an answer on that. That'll give us the local share for our first uh project and
then an extra 4500 for us at the airport. Also, there's another the FAA returned our independent fee monies for their FAA flyover. That's another I remember I don't have the exact amount
but it was around $5,000 >> more than that. It was like 9,000. >> Okay. I've also asked if we can have that since that was earmarked for the airport. I think it should stay at the airport. So I've asked if we can have that as well back in our budget. So I
don't have an answer yet, but I'll keep working on that. So, that might be nice to have. Uh, what else? We sold 499.22
gallons of fuel in October. Here is the um uh information. You can pass that around. Um, which is good. We bought 3,000 gallons of bad gas
which pass that around and we paid for an ad in the local newspaper for airport um airport uh contractor. It's required by
the purchasing city gardener to uh advertise um for bids for contractors. Right. >> Yeah. >> So that's what we did. There's the temperature and light and water for this
month and associates. What was that for? Those were two invoices and those other two what? No, those were those. So, there
are there are um you're you're pretty current on um on most of the on on most of the bills. There were a couple that were for the um environmental assessment, but it seems they're being paid pretty regularly. Um we were just waiting. I know
>> this is the one from today. Okay. Yeah, this is for the the last two uh invoices for the wildlife, >> right? But I know the city was waiting on the funding from from FAA and Mass, which is why we were we were waiting. I wasn't I wasn't I wasn't bugging you about it.
>> We got it. We got it. Good. Yeah. So those are the last two for that we paid those two invoices for the wildlife hazard and um we have a new wind sock coming.
>> Did you order from the >> manufacturer? Uh as you can see our old one is very sun damaged and it's all shredded. The sun damage is where most of the dam most of the pieces that I threw out were the sun damage pieces. They were all over the ground and the tear on that one. And
you look you flip it over and you can see the sun damage where it started to rip first. >> Oh, right. The sun damage. Yeah. So, I asked them if that material is under warranty and they said the wind sock should really be replaced every single year
>> and um >> $189. >> $189 a year. Yeah. So, even though it's not under warranty, they're going to be sending us a new one, which is nice. And I'll also uh Jim and I talked about asking Mass Dot to send us one also
because >> if they have one, send us >> if they have one, please send it to us. Okay. And um that's about it. Uh all the equipment's been fueled. We fueled the uh 55gallon
drum. We're going to be putting the snow plow on the one side this week and um also get loaded grease and uh that's fine. >> Okay,
that if you look uh this is the net. So >> that's dollars. >> That's dollars, >> right? >> That's the total sales. But since they we don't we don't give the feedback to the city. So this is the net amount.
>> What I was looking at was the yellow because >> 499. It's on the other one. Yeah, >> it's on the spreadsheet. >> What I was looking for was the >> 499 gallons. What's the placement of fuel?
>> 575. >> 575. >> Same. We kept it the same. >> It's the same. and kept it the same. So, >> the city have this >> uh Yes. >> Okay. >> I just cuz I I can I can look at it cuz
I have to uh um there's a difference between how many gallons. I think it it shows on here and what's in the tank, but I don't know how much. It It usually varies a little bit. And
the uh I'm just trying to figure out how we adjust that. >> Okay. >> And how by how much. >> Okay. >> Because I hate to have that shown a lot less than what's or more than what's in the tank and have us run out.
>> Okay. >> But I don't think that'll happen today cuz it's within 100 gallons of thing. >> Yeah. Okay. >> There are some waste, >> right? And um that's about it. So that that's for this month.
>> That's it. >> Good. The u you got everything. Okay. The only thing I've got and I thought I had a copy with me, but I don't. But the uh I haven't got the signed agreement back from MIT. What it is is $100 a month for the
trailer rental and $100 per day per project. So, two people come out, two groups come out, it's $200. And of course, since the closing in the month of October, we
started with beginning of October cuz their physical year begins, right? I want to see what they uh what they give us. So, I got the money out. I started for got it sent back to her and I'm waiting
to hear from her. I haven't seen or heard anything from this week yet. So, it was Friday when I finally got it back to him and we have to renew that October 1st every year. But what I want to do is look at it and
make sure that we're because I don't know what 17 was the last copy that we had and I don't know if we can make changes. I want to research and what would be a reasonable amount of
money to increase if we have to. >> So we get that >> city attorney should probably look over. >> Well, the purchasing agent did. >> Yeah, but he's not an attorney. It's just a letter of agreement because it can be cancelled.
It's gone. So, it's And I gave it That's why I gave it to Josh cuz I figured he'd do it if there was anything and run it up the flag pole that way. >> Okay. >> And he looked at it, signed off on a W9, and sent that in. >> So, they will send the bill. Well, we
got what we're getting in place now is the >> so that we know every time they come out. >> Okay. >> And it's only actual days out cuz a couple of times they've had they were going to come and the weather turns out.
>> So, we won't charge them for that. But, uh, the only other thing that cropped up today was the guys that come out here on Wednesdays and fly their planes cuz they've got everything. They're moving everything outside the fence on the that side of the road. That's what they want to keep
it. And the guys came up to want to fly planes and they weren't going to be doing much aerial work. They were doing some, but not a lot. And they said they told them, they said, "Well, can you fly over here?" And they were they were going to fly. And then I guess I don't know if they stayed around at all. They
might have done a little bit of flying but >> I didn't I didn't see them. >> No, they were it was uh but they had talked to him and Kent was the was here. So he talked to him and I guess when
they're paying, you know, the Wednesday is the only day that I think is a conflict because they don't do anything on the weekends and sometimes you'll see the guys down here on Saturdays and Sundays if the weather's good. So, um, I just I got to talk to them. I got
to get the names of everybody that's down here so I can call because it's in some kind of club. But I I I thought I had some I' written a note somewhere. I haven't found it yet. But we we'll continue the discussion, but
everybody's seems to agree about everybody wants to, you know, I think it's just good. Any activity is better than none. Yep. And uh I guess we had quite a few planes coming in and out today. They were landing to the south, so it was fine. This was downwind on
this side. So they were testing the system and I think we'll be all right. Any questions or anything to >> So basically all you're doing is you're waiting for a whatever agreement to be agreed upon. Get an open deal
purchasing will handle it after that. Correct. >> Right. And because I don't have a good number of how many times they've been out this month because I uh this all came about in the last two weeks. So or after I I sent the first one up to Josh
and then we had to modify it from there. But they will not do a renewal automatic renewal. They will only do uh you know so we'll have to October 1st is when their budget starts and that was very a minimal to them. How do they notify us?
>> They call and talk to Isabelle or me. They send us a text usually and uh it can come from either or usually come from. >> Okay. >> And uh so that that gives us an indication. So I think you know I don't
know if there I don't see any problem with it because they're u only growers right now. So, and they do uh they were doing some last year they did some ground work on
the taxi way that they needed a straight >> Yeah. >> laser site, but uh here again, not on. And since they paid to being very careful with that.
So, if you think of something, anything you want to change, we can look at as soon as I get it, I'll give you a copy and you can take a look at it. But it's just a short paragraph or two that put some stipulations in and they gave me a I think it was originally
17 pages long and Kendra and I went over it this noon when I came down to see him cuz he called me in. He said the guys that like flying guys would get and we went through it. He's got a power plant project. So, and we'll set it up and take a look at. He has uh rules and
regulations that they want to follow. And they're pretty much mirror what what we talked about. We're under 400 ft over the piece of the fence and just have to monitor the frequency and let any aircraft in the area know that they are
flying drones. But they won't be uh all just about all of this stuff has fencing on it so it keeps them within their altitude and area. But occasionally one goes broke it last long. It crashed one
into the tree last month too. So you know they fun. So we did host a few military people out here one day when they were trying to sell something to them. So it was good. Okay. Anything else you can think of?
>> Okay. You want to go home? >> What time is it? >> 6:07. >> 607. Bring it up. that we injected. >> Yeah, those were kind of like multi creatures.
>> I feel so bad when I have to like come in with all that stuff. I'm like, oh no torture. >> Thank you very much. We we