Norwood airport commission approves runway payments, seeks bids for wildlife fence and tables tenant presentation

The Town of Norwood Airport Commission on March 20, 2025 approved two payment requests for ongoing Runway 17/35 design work, authorized the chair to sign a grant application for a wildlife fence construction project, and tabled a presentation from a prospective tenant after the applicant failed to file the required paperwork.

The commission voted to approve payment request No. 5 for $62,848.70 and payment request No. 6 for $25,052.72; both items were described as 90% Federal Aviation Administration-funded with a 10% local match from the Town of Norwood. Commissioners also moved to allow the chair to sign a grant application to support construction of a wildlife fence at the field and to postpone a presentation from Cape Fear/Flight Level Aviation because the applicant did not submit the application required under the commission’s rules.

Why it matters: the payments advance federally funded design work on Runway 17/35 and the grant application and fence project are intended to address wildlife hazards at the airport, which can affect flight operations and public safety. The tenant presentation, if completed next month, could affect airport operations and tenancy at the field.

Airport staff gave a brief operational and financial report at the start of the meeting. "Monthly revenues for February and March totaled $94,542.10," an airport staff member reported. The manager said 11 firms attended a pre-bid meeting for the wildlife fence work and that bids were scheduled to be opened the day after the meeting. "We have 11 people attend the pre bid," the airport manager said.

On the runway-design payments, meeting discussion noted the federal/local funding split the commission will use to process the requisitions. The commission moved that the chair be authorized to sign requisition paperwork related to the design invoices; those motions were approved at the meeting.

The commission also discussed a planned playground dedication (managed by the town recreation department) and short-term site work: town public works put up playground signs and landscaping and a separate contractor handles annual grounds maintenance. The manager said the playground dedication is scheduled for May 16 and that the site should be open before that date, with the dedication taking place sometime between noon and 2 p.m.

A scheduled presentation by Cape Fear with Flight Level Aviation was tabled because the presenter did not submit the application required by the commission’s rules and regulations. The commission unanimously voted to table the item and requested the applicant work with airport staff to submit the materials for consideration at the next meeting.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes of the regular business meeting (Jan. 29, 2025): motion made by Commissioner Cochran; approved. - Payment request No. 5 (Runway 17/35 design), $62,848.70, funding: 90% FAA / 10% Town of Norwood: motion to approve; approved. - Payment request No. 6 (Runway 17/35 design), $25,052.72, funding: 90% FAA / 10% Town of Norwood: motion to approve; approved. - Authorization for chair to sign grant application for wildlife fence construction: motion to allow chair to sign; approved. - Presentation by Cape Fear/Flight Level Aviation: motion to table pending submission of required application; approved. - Adjournment: motion made by Commissioner Dauken; approved.

The meeting record shows the commission handled routine administrative items and moved several procurement- and grant-related actions forward. The commission asked the applicant for the tenant presentation to work with airport staff to provide the required application for consideration at the next scheduled meeting.