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Albany County committee approves two permanent utility easements for transformer relocations at Albany International Airport
Summary
The Multimodal Transit and Pedestrian Access Committee unanimously authorized two permanent utility easements allowing Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (DBA National Grid) to relocate and upgrade two 25 kVA transformers at Albany International Airport, citing technical and safety reasons tied to their current location under a passenger walkway.
The Albany County Multimodal Transit and Pedestrian Access Committee on Feb. 26 unanimously approved two permanent utility easements that allow Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (doing business as National Grid) to relocate and upgrade existing transformers at Albany International Airport.
The committee authorized easements for property described as 2 Airport Terminal Road and 3 Airport Terminal Road to permit the relocation of two existing 25 kVA transformers and to support ongoing thermal expansion upgrades. Airport Chief Operating Officer John O'Donnell and counsel Christine Quinn attended the meeting; committee members and airport staff reviewed maps and engineering drawings that the applicant provided.
Committee chair Council Majority Council Kennedy opened the item and asked for questions before members moved to adopt the easement authorizations. Committee members present — Lirilier, Feeney, Ricard, Conway and Carly — voted in favor on both items; two members, Easier Basten and Reinhardt, were recorded as excused during the roll call. Both motions passed by voice vote and were recorded as unanimous.
According to the presentation, the two 25 kVA transformers are currently located directly beneath the second-level passenger walkway to Concourse A; National Grid requires the relocations rather than on-site replacement because of that location. The requested easements are standard 20-foot-wide permanent utility easements; one easement covers the relocation nearest 2 Terminal Drive and the other covers the adjacent area identified as 3 Terminal Drive. The presenter said the new transformer locations will be closer to the roadway.
Committee members were shown a map and offered copies of the engineering drawings. The record shows the applicant explained that two separate easements are required because the airport’s feeders terminate in two different locations and National Grid’s service configuration requires separate easement parcels.
No funding sources, cost estimates or construction timelines were specified during the discussion. The committee did not amend the easement agreements and gave authorization to proceed; specific contract documents or effective dates were not provided in the meeting record.
Chair Kennedy told members that airport staff, including John O'Donnell, will return in April to provide a broader update on airport operations and invited committee members to submit questions in advance so airport representatives can address them at the April meeting.
Votes at a glance
• Item: Authorize utility easement agreement with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (DBA National Grid) for property at 2 Airport Terminal Road — Motion moved and seconded; voice vote unanimous; outcome: approved.
• Item: Authorize utility easement agreement with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (DBA National Grid) for property at 3 Airport Terminal Road — Motion moved and seconded; voice vote unanimous; outcome: approved.
