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Commission reviews South Apron ramp expansion updates; MassDOT funds Nobadeer fence and noise wall bid awarded
Summary
The commission heard updates on the South Apron ramp expansion: Premier Fence received the low bid for a noise wall barrier, Nobadeer Beach perimeter fence construction began with MassDOT funding, and staff will meet on a ramp management plan to address aircraft orientation and noise during high winds.
Airport Manager Smith told the commission that Premier Fence presented the lowest bid for the South Apron noise wall barrier and that a contract should be on the commission’s July agenda for signature. He also said construction of the airport fence at Nobadeer Beach began the day before the meeting and is scheduled to run through June 27.
“MassDOT promised that they would have this project fully funded by them if we could have it done by before the end of the fiscal year, and we did,” Smith said, noting MassDOT will fully fund the Nobadeer fence work. He characterized the start of construction as “great” and said the project will improve perimeter security where the fence has been encroached by the beach.
Smith said staff will meet with operations and commission members to refine a ramp management plan to better use the South Apron during high winds and when aircraft must be turned into the wind. The plan is intended to reduce noise impacts and clarify procedures for turning aircraft on the apron; Smith said the discussion will continue following the staff meeting.
Commissioners raised operational and noise concerns in later comments. One commissioner asked about managing aircraft run times on the ramp and noted a recent larger aircraft with extended APU/run time on the new ramp, saying long run times “is a real problem” and that the airport should pursue policies to limit such runs. The commission did not adopt new ramp rules at the meeting; staff scheduled a focused discussion to draft ramp-management approaches and operational limits.
