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Plymouth Airport Commission votes to seek Select Board meeting, asserts hiring authority under state law
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to draft a letter to the Select Board asserting that, under Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 90, the Airport Commission (not the Town Manager) has responsibility to hire the Airport Manager; the board asked counsel to attend a meeting to de‑escalate the dispute.
At its Feb. 5 meeting, the Plymouth Airport Commission voted 7-0 to draft and send a letter to the Select Board asserting the commission’s statutory responsibilities under state law and to request a meeting with Town and airport counsel to resolve a recent dispute over who controls airport operations.
Chairman Kenneth Fosdick told the commission that an email from the Town Manager indicated the town manager would assume control of airport operations. Fosdick cited Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 90 and said, “Chapter 90 says that it is the responsibility of the Commission to hire the Airport Manager, and that the Airport Manager then works to implement the actions of the Commission.” He said the commission wants to de‑escalate the situation through a meeting that includes Town Counsel and the airport’s counsel.
The motion to draft and submit a letter stating the commission’s rights and responsibilities under state law was made by Commissioner Paul Worcester and seconded by Vice Chairman Doug Crociati; the motion carried 7-0-0. The commission did not take further formal action at the meeting beyond approving the intent to seek counsel‑attended discussion with the Select Board.
Why it matters: The Airport Commission and the Town Manager are discussing which office has operational control after the town’s purchase of the airport; the commission’s interpretation of Chapter 90 is that hiring authority for the Airport Manager rests with the commission. Resolving that gap affects who directs day‑to‑day airport operations and who signs off on personnel and operational decisions.
Background and next steps: Fosdick said the town previously reviewed a management‑agreement revision and that both the town’s counsel and the airport’s attorney reviewed the relationship of federal, state, and town law; the commission now seeks a joint meeting to clarify the legal positions and avoid escalation. The commission directed staff to prepare the letter and arrange a meeting date. The hearing minutes do not record a response from the Town Manager or Select Board at the meeting.
