Mansfield Airport Commission sets temporary closure dates, extends manager's contract and discusses PGA-related runway parking

The Mansfield Airport Commission on June 8 clarified plans for a temporary airport closure this summer, confirmed an extension of the airport manager's contract through the end of the year and discussed a potential short-term use of the grass runway to support parking for a PGA tournament.

Chair Joel Brandwine told the commission he had discussed the impending closure and recommended notifying stakeholders of the schedule. During visitor comments the commission provided a clarification that the airport was currently scheduled to be closed from July 13 to October 10, 2026, based on available information presented at the meeting.

Brandwine also said the Airport Manager's contract had been extended until the end of the year; the minutes record that extension but do not elaborate on terms.

In old-business discussion the chair reported ongoing negotiations with the Federal Aviation Administration about the possible use of the airport's grass runway for parking connected to the PGA tournament at TPC Boston in Norton. Brandwine said that arrangement could be expected to produce roughly $15,000 to $18,000 in revenue for the airport; commissioners discussed logistics and impacts but no formal decision or vote on that arrangement was recorded in the minutes.

Commissioner Ken Buja raised a series of safety and security concerns, including the physical condition of several hangars, restaurant dumpsters at Hangar 12 being left open, continuing presence of geese on the grass runway and repeated parking violations by people using the adjacent bike path. Commissioners discussed possible mitigation steps, but the minutes do not record specific enforcement actions or a final mitigation plan.

The commission set its next meeting for July 13, 2026, and adjourned at about 8:10 p.m.