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Meriden committee approves 2026 hangar rent increases, backs $250,000 IT upgrade at airport
Summary
The joint finance/personnel committee approved a resolution increasing most Meriden–Markham Airport hangar rents (5%, 3% for an older quonset hangar) and discussed a $250,000 CIP request to bring fiber optics, improve cameras and phone reliability after construction of four new hangars that will add roughly $25,000 in annual revenue.
The joint finance and personnel committees voted to approve proposed hangar rate increases at Meriden–Markham Airport after an overview from Airport Manager Connie Castillo.
Castillo told the council the city finished a four‑hangar construction project that cost just over $1,000,000 and was funded primarily by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Connecticut Airport Authority; she said the new hangars should produce about $25,000 in annual revenue. “This will produce 25,000 annually in revenue just for those 4 box centers,” Castillo said.
The measures approved include a 5% increase to most hangar rents and a 3% increase for an 80‑year quonset hangar. Castillo said the resolution’s rate table focuses only on hangars (tie‑down fees are unchanged). The committee then moved to the resolution on the floor and voted to adopt the proposed rates.
Castillo also reviewed operating and capital highlights. She reported FY25 operating revenues of roughly $252,500 for the Meriden side of the field and noted fuel sales are variable; she projected about 60,000 gallons in a typical year but said this winter’s heavy snow depressed activity. On capital projects, Castillo requested a $250,000 city CIP allocation to bring fiber‑optic service to the field, upgrade cameras and improve phone connectivity so the airport can monitor more of the runway and taxi areas and accept incoming calls reliably. “To bring fiber optics to the airport…would be more economical over time and provide higher security,” she said.
Committee members pressed Castillo on fuel margins and year‑to‑date numbers; Finance Director Kevin McApollo said updated departmental year‑to‑date reports would be circulated. Councilors asked about community impacts such as trespassing and airshow feasibility; Castillo said FAA safety setbacks limit aerial displays, but the airport continues to run successful community events such as a 5K and youth programs.
The committee approved the resolution to raise hangar rents and directed staff to include corrected budget figures and CIP requests in the full finance review.
What happens next: The committee’s approval advances the lease changes and the airport’s CIP request to the full finance process for final budget action.
