Airport subcommittee proposes fuel‑farm expansion; commissioners weigh near‑term leases and capital timing

The airport's fuel subcommittee reported on March 10 that increasing on‑island fuel storage and sales is a priority to reduce extra aircraft movements, noise and lost revenue when operators must depart to refuel off island.

Commissioners described a two‑track approach: near‑term operational measures and a longer‑term fuel‑farm expansion. Near‑term steps include leasing additional refueler trucks, leaving two tanker trailers on site for an extra ~20,000 gallons of temporary storage, and adjusting ferry/barge deliveries (the schedule this summer is expected to add about three more deliveries a week compared with last summer). Staffing increases and a clarified fuel‑retail pricing strategy were also recommended.

For longer‑term storage, subcommittee members proposed adding four double‑wall tanks with secondary containment for an estimated usable capacity in the neighborhood of 72,000 gallons. Preliminary line‑item estimates from staff and volunteers ranged from an initial piping/installation estimate of about $700,000 up to a conservative outside budget of $2–3 million after engineering, fire‑suppression, transportation and contingency costs are included. The subcommittee suggested engaging the airport’s engineering team (McFarland‑Johnson) to develop a detailed design and an engineered, stamped plan for the state fire marshal review and permitting.

"If we sell another 500,000 gallons of fuel at an average margin, that would cover the investment," a commissioner said in explaining the revenue rationale for the project. Commissioners discussed funding options and timing: finance staff advised that capital article planning frequently shows “borrowing” as a placeholder to preserve schedule flexibility, but commissioners preferred, where possible, to fund the project from the airport enterprise fuel‑revolver fund balance and to refine the final appropriation before town meeting.

The commission asked staff and the subcommittee to develop a refined line‑item budget (including a separately identified fire‑suppression estimate), task McFarland‑Johnson with a scope for design and regulatory submission, and to consult immediately with the finance director and CapCom/FinCom to test timeline feasibility ahead of the next town meeting. Commissioners also agreed to revisit the item at a special meeting in two weeks to refine numbers and seek early feedback from finance staff.

Next steps: produce a detailed design scope and refined cost spreadsheet, identify a recommended funding source (fuel revolver vs. borrowing), and prepare materials for CapCom/FinCom consultation prior to formal town‑meeting article submission.