At a meeting of the Rangeley Airport Commission (date not specified), commissioners and staff discussed delays in airport-grade asphalt work, next year’s taxi-lane design-only project, recurring misalignment of PAPI approach lights and a range of pavement and tie-down maintenance needs.

Commission members and staff said the planned asphalt work has been delayed because contractors are not producing airport-grade mix at this time of year. The chair said that the “quality of the asphalt doesn't meet FAA standards,” and commissioners pressed staff to keep pressure on the contractor so resurfacing does not slip into September or October.

The discussion noted the taxi-lane project is expected to proceed next summer as a design-only effort; construction funding is not approved. A staff member reported the “main team” has committed to a 2.5% local match and that the commission should expect design work next year but no immediate construction.

Commissioners also reviewed navigation- and weather-equipment maintenance. A commissioner who inspected the runway said PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) lights were certified in January but that frost heaves move the concrete pads each winter, causing the units to shift out of level. “Every winter, you get frost heaves, and the pad moves around,” the commissioner said, and urged the commission to consider sub‑slab protection or other solutions when the next maintenance cycle occurs. Commissioners discussed that PAPI units have tilt switches that can go dark if they exceed their angle tolerance, but observed earlier winter misalignment sometimes produced partial or inconsistent light patterns rather than a clean shutdown.

On softer infrastructure items, staff reported a punch list by public works that includes multiple tie-downs that appear damaged; about half the remaining tie-downs were described as usable. Staff said two tons of material are set aside for fall repairs, and the commission agreed a site walk remains needed to confirm locations and scope. Commissioners also raised a separate item about confirming the septic pump and the airport restroom flush are operating normally; staff said the pump appeared to be working but that confirmation of the toilet flush was not yet received.

No ordinance, contract award or construction authorization was adopted at the meeting; commissioners discussed maintenance priorities and scheduling and asked staff to follow up with contractors and public works on timing and detailed cost estimates.

The meeting ended with general agreement to prioritize the asphalt work earlier in the summer if possible and to include PAPI pad protection in longer-term planning.