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Airport manager warns runway lights out; fuel‑farm tank and mower grant planned
Summary
Stevensville's airport reported an intermittent failure in a 40‑year‑old lighting receiver that has taken runway lights out of service (replacement estimated ~$4,500); the airport expects a fuel‑farm tank delivery in March and said it received a $57,000 state grant for a mower expected in July.
During the Feb. 12 meeting, the Stevensville airport manager told councilors the airport’s runway and taxiway edge lighting are out of service because an aging remote receiver has become intermittent. The manager said the receiver is about 40 years old, that a replacement or repair is being pursued, and that a full replacement would cost about $4,500. Because the lighting cannot be turned on, the airport has published a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) with the FAA restricting night operations.
The manager also updated councilors on capital projects. A contractor has completed foundations for the airport fuel‑farm infrastructure and the long‑lead storage tank is expected to arrive in March; commissioning should take another three weeks after delivery. An asphalt rehabilitation project that was previously funded by FAA and state aviation grants failed to attract bidders last year and will be advertised for bids this season. Fuel sales have increased in January as flying weather improved.
Separately, the manager said the town applied for and was awarded a $57,000 grant from the Montana Department of Commerce to purchase a mower for airfield maintenance; that funding will not be available until July but would address long‑standing mowing challenges that currently rely heavily on volunteers.
Councilors asked clarifying questions and were told staff will continue outreach to vendors and contractors on the asphalt project and will renew the NOTAM until lighting is restored.
