Commission approves scope for airport environmental assessment, backs using BIL funding

Gardner City — The Gardner City Airport Commission voted to approve the scope of work for an environmental assessment and obstruction analysis and to solicit an independent fee estimate, moving the airport toward clearing trees and other approach obstructions and toward projects in its master plan. The commission accepted staff and consultant recommendations to pursue Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) airport improvement grant funding for the work.

The vote authorizes the airport to proceed with the environmental assessment (EA) and the obstruction study, to seek an independent third-party estimate of consultant fees, and to apply for the available BIL airport improvement grant funds that are expiring if not used by the upcoming grant deadline. Gail, airport consultant, told commissioners, “my recommendation to the commission would be to move forward, funding this project entirely under that BILAIG, so the bipartisan infrastructure law program.”

The EA will evaluate short-term projects identified in the master plan, including obstruction analyses of approach surfaces, wetlands delineation, permitting needs for removal of off-airport obstructions, and public involvement steps required by federal law. Staff said the airport currently has $27,965 of BIL AIG funding that will expire if not applied for by the FY2025 grant deadline and that the airport has roughly $200,000 set aside in its capital improvement plan for the combined EA/obstruction work.

Under the recommended funding path, federal participation for the work will be 95%, the state share 2.5% and the local share 2.5%; staff said using the BIL funding would avoid the administrative burden of splitting the project across two grant programs. The consultant described a standard FAA requirement that the airport obtain an independent fee estimate; if the consultant price and the independent estimate are within 10% of each other FAA considers the price reasonable.

Commission discussion touched on project timing, wetlands mapping and the need to coordinate with property owners for off-airport tree removals. Gail said the wildlife hazard site visit will be scheduled in spring and that if wildlife-exclusion fencing is recommended by that study, MassDOT may cover the local share for that fencing as part of FAA grant rules tied to wildlife recommendations.

The motion to accept the consultant recommendation, proceed with the EA under BIL AIG funding and solicit the independent fee estimate was moved and seconded and recorded as approved; the transcript does not list a roll-call tally.