Airport staff told commissioners a high-mast lighting capital project that was initially scoped for 10 lights expanded to 20 lights after FAA and MassDOT discussions, and that the low bid for the re-scoped effort nearly doubled the original capital-committee appropriation.

Nancy Smith summarized the situation: after an FAA scoping meeting the project expanded to 20 lights; the initial capital-submission estimated about $700,000 but the new bids came in at roughly $1,500,000. Smith said the airport is working with the town to secure funding and described two paths: a home-rule petition that would seek borrowing authorization without a supplemental town meeting or a supplemental request at a special town meeting. Smith said the finance director preferred the supplemental request through CAPCOM if timing allows.

Commissioners raised timing concerns tied to FAA grant cycles. One commissioner said a delay until a fall special town meeting could put FAA funding at risk and called for the airport to keep the item on the next month's agenda with more details on available grants and timing. Smith said bids were sent with a due date of April 23 and that the airport received one bid. She also said the project could be covered by a MassDOT contribution if the FAA approves the scoping changes and the town signs the contract, but the airport must secure borrowing authorization by town action in order for the finance director to sign contracts.

No formal vote was taken; staff will return with more grant-timing details and guidance from the finance director about whether to pursue a home-rule petition or a special-town-meeting supplemental appropriation to preserve the FAA funding opportunity.