The Taunton Municipal Airport Commission accepted engineering and financial reports May 28 outlining progress on an aeronautical (obstacle) study, environmental assessments for taxiway work, fuel‑farm permitting and capital equipment purchases, and approved a MassDOT grant to replace aging grounds equipment.

ASG engineers reported that a draft aeronautical study and obstacle action plan was submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration on May 20 and that FAA and MassDOT comments are due June 3. The study examines on‑field and off‑site obstructions affecting approaches to Runway 12/30; staff warned off‑site removals could take years and may require eminent‑domain or negotiated easements.

Airport manager J. D. Espinosa and engineering staff said the environmental notification and grant applications for the taxiway alpha project and fuel‑farm permitting are in process. The city has submitted FAA and MassDOT grant applications; ASG reported an FAA grant offer has been made and a MassDOT grant offer is expected in July.

The commission also accepted a task order and voted to sign related paperwork so the project work can proceed. "They analyzed the airspace, developed a draft obstacle action plan and submitted the draft report for review," an ASG representative told the commission during the engineer's report.

On equipment and maintenance, the commission approved a MassDOT grant to replace a worn commercial zero‑turn mower. The mower cost through state purchasing was about $25,800; MassDOT will fund roughly $20,000 and the airport's share is just over $5,000. The purchase followed a regular capital request; staff said the existing mower dates to 2005 and is due to be replaced to maintain grounds and safety areas.

Finance and operations: Chief Financial Officer Patrick Del Russo and airport staff reviewed monthly and year‑to‑date financials. Year‑to‑date revenues through April were $348,486.48 against expenses of $299,407.35, for a positive cash flow of $49,079.13. Monthly restaurant and fuel activity affected operating results; the commission discussed fuel pricing strategy and noted April featured higher fuel expense months tied to several fuel deliveries.

Fuel sales reported by the airport coordinator included 1,720 gallons of avgas sold in January, 2,035 in February, 1,714 in March and 2,530 in April; May sales were trending higher during the meeting. Commissioners credited steady fuel pricing for attracting transient pilots and fueling traffic that supports airport revenues.

Other operational items accepted by the commission: wetlands flagging and land survey tasks for off‑field work, progress on fuel‑farm permit scoping, submission of MEPA and environmental paperwork for taxiway alpha, and completion of FAA paperwork required to proceed with grant draws. Staff said they will publish study results and FAA comments on the airport website after the June 3 comment deadline to keep the public informed.

The commission voted to accept the engineer's report, the financial report, and to authorize acceptance and signature of the MassDOT equipment grant. Staff said they will return with updates on FAA/MassDOT grant offers and a timeline for obstacle mitigation and on‑site construction.