Commission reviews draft airport budget; discusses part-time manager line and taxiway crack-seal project

At its Jan. 27 meeting, the Rangeley Airport Commission reviewed a draft budget for the coming fiscal year and discussed a capital maintenance project for crack sealing and repainting of the taxiway.

The draft budget presented by staff includes a proposed increase in the personnel line to fund a part-time airport manager; staff said the estimate was based on roughly 30 hours per week at about $30 per hour. Commissioners acknowledged hiring and compensation would require the town's budget process and noted the budget committee would review it on the next day.

Commissioners and staff also discussed a planned pavement maintenance project described in the meeting as a crack-seal and repainting scope. At the meeting, participants referenced estimated project figures including a crack-seal/painting package described informally during discussion as “$350,000” (participants also referred to a $300K–$350K range while asking staff and the consultant to provide a clearer scope). Separately, another referenced line item of about $25,000 was cited for a full repainting/crack-seal painting activity in a different context during the discussion; staff said more precise project definitions and a scheduled meeting would follow to refine scope and costs.

Members asked staff and the consultant to convene a follow-up meeting to drill down on scope, deliverables and schedule for the pavement work and to report back with a clearer estimate and plan. Staff said some project funding may come through FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants and that some components could be eligible for federal BIL (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) funds; commissioners asked for clarification at future briefings. No formal budget adoption occurred at the meeting; the commission planned to present material to the town budget committee as part of the municipal budget process.