Commission advances noise‑wall bid schedule; funding to seek Town Meeting approval

The commission discussed the South Apron ramp expansion, on‑site noise monitors and a planned noise wall, and agreed to advertise bid documents for the noise wall on April 8 while coordinating financing via Town Meeting.

Airport Manager Warren Smith said one noise monitor is fully functional and a second needs a minor fix by airport IT. He reported that McFarland Johnson recommended a fiberglass product with a perforated wool installation for the wall and provided a draft cost estimate. McFarland Johnson’s Rich Lasdun said the bid documents were being finalized and the team planned to "have that go out to bid on April 8." Smith said he would like the commission’s approval to use a specific manufacturer or "approved equal" so bids are apples‑to‑apples.

Commissioner discussion clarified the installation would avoid major tree clearing — limited trimming only — and that, because the project is locally funded, the commission could specify a basis of design or a single manufacturer if it wished. Maria Basheva, the airport business manager, told the commission the noise wall funding will be included in a Town Meeting article: "If we the noise wall, $5,000,000 are included in an article for this upcoming town meeting May 3." The commission agreed to proceed with finalizing bid documents and pursue the funding article; construction was expected to be scheduled for the fall pending Town Meeting approval and bids.

Ending: Staff will finalize the bid package for April 8 advertisement, coordinate the Town Meeting funding article, and return with bid results and updated cost estimates after the advertisement period.