Danvers select board weighs airport resolution, plans follow-up on Beverly Airport appointments

Select Board members heard extended public comment Tuesday about concerns with the Beverly Airport and discussed whether the town should adopt a resolution addressing airport operations.

Resident Mark Zubarek said he wanted the board to consider a resolution and urged concrete steps beyond a proclamation. The chair said the board could direct staff to draft language and send it to the town—9s attorney for legal review before the board decides whether to adopt it.

The town manager reported the select board had received two applications from previous candidates for seats on the Beverly Airport Commission. He said the board plans to invite those applicants back on Feb. 18 for discussion and potential appointment and encouraged other interested residents to submit talent-pool forms online or at the town office.

Board members noted that some airport-related concerns, such as conservation matters under the Conservation Commission and Department of Environmental Protection review, fall outside the select board—9s jurisdiction and would require coordination with the relevant agencies. Members discussed forming a town-side support group to back the town—9s two seats on the commission and to research how other communities engage with airports on noise and land-use issues.

No formal resolution or binding vote on the airport was adopted Tuesday; board members asked staff to prepare possible language for the select board—9s consideration and to seek counsel from the town attorney on legal implications.