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State matches airport project funding; runway briefly closed after heavy snow, airport board reviews layout plans
Summary
Airport manager Brian Germain told the council that the Montana Aeronautics division committed a percentage match for this year’s airport projects—including asphalt maintenance and a new fuel tank—meaning no local money is required; the runway was closed temporarily after drifting snow made operations unsafe.
Airport manager Brian Germain reported to the Stevensville Town Council on Feb. 13 that the state aeronautics department has agreed to a matching contribution covering a percentage of the town’s airport capital improvement projects this year, which will allow the projects to proceed without using local funds.
Germain said the state’s decision covers asphalt maintenance work and a new fuel tank, a notable development because aeronautics funding often excludes revenue-generating projects such as fuel tanks. He said the airport team expects to put out solicitations by the end of the month, with the town council targeted to receive bids around its March 27 meeting. A local Montana fuel vendor is negotiating to buy and operate the on-site tank currently owned by Hawthorne; that vendor has discussed terms to supply fuel to the airport and to provide some interim fueling options while the town procures a new tank.
Germain also said the runway was temporarily closed for about 48 hours after a winter storm produced drifts that made it unsafe for low-wing aircraft; staff filed the required runway-condition notices and reopened the field after clearing drifts. The airport board reviewed updated airport layout plans and generally favored a layout similar to the current configuration with minor adjustments.
Lease invoices: Germain reported collection activity, including $14,063.50 received to date and an additional $7,150 from back payments, with about $3,600 outstanding in lease payments and about $2,600 in user invoices expected to be collected.
Why it matters: The state match reduces or eliminates the need to use local funds for necessary airfield and fuel infrastructure work, speeding maintenance and improving airport services for pilots and the community.
