Present were Chair Grenier, Commissioners Michael Rozek, George Pozzuto, Dori Ducharme, Russell Otis; Commissioners Diana Nelson and Tom Brady were absent
Others present included Eric Kaminsky, and Patrick MacQueen
Chair Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Minutes
Commissioner Pozzuto pointed out that his name was misspelled on the second page of the minutes. He also clarified that his statement regarding the Drobny lease meant that Mr. Drobny had to become current on his past due lease. Commissioner Rozek moved to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as amended; Commissioner Otis seconded and the motion carried.
Financials Year End 2011
Mr. Kaminsky reported that he was predicting a negative balance of $10,000 but the City’s Finance Director, Betty Domino came up with negative $13,000. With the state of the economy, Mr. Kaminsky considered it a successful year. The good news is that the airport has already sold 6600 gallons of fuel this quarter and has surpassed last year’s quarter. Whitefield is now buying their fuel from AV Fuel and that will allow both airports to split loads which will save money on freight.
Chair Grenier asked if the inventory left in the tanks was taken into consideration and Mr. Kaminsky stated that it was. Chair Grenier noted that in 1994-95 the City was subsidizing the airport $55,000. Since then many upgrades have been made and the airport manager is an employee rather than a contractor of the airport. The BAA has been trying to make the airport run as close to balancing as possible. The Airport Fund has an accumulated deficit of about $60,000 that has been carried over from year to year.
Chair Grenier asked if the City Manager would put a resolution in to the City Council to absorb this year’s airport deficit.
Commissioner Pozzuto commented that the Town of Milan has been buying fuel for some of their equipment. Commissioner Otis asked if the airport has always run with a deficit and Chair Grenier noted that for some years they broke even and when DSD Aviation was buying fuel, the airport made money. Commissioner Pozzuto asked about mowing fees and Mr. Kaminsky explained that the airport contracts with other city departments to mow areas such as the Industrial Park and the Cates Hill Landfill to generate revenue. Commissioner Pozzuto confirmed that the airport cannot grow hay on the airport property due to the safety area laid out by the FAA that cannot have grass at a height above the pavement.
Commissioner Ducharme asked if grants are only in this fiscal year and Ms. Tremblay reported that one grant will likely span three fiscal years. There is a receivable from last year (2010) of over $80,000 that was reported and not yet collected. More purchases were made in this fiscal year (2011) and reimbursement will be in the new year (2012).
Mr. Kaminsky commented that this is a zero match grant where the airport receives over $300,000 of equipment and paving. Chair Grenier mentioned $22,000 received from the school department for the airport’s dump truck. Commissioner Rozek confirmed that three employees from the school were taught how to operate the truck.
Commissioner Rozek moved to accept the financial report and place on file; Commissioner Pozzuto seconded and the motion carried.
Request to Purchase Property
Mr. Kaminsky informed the group that the Airport Authority was contacted last year by Bob Chapman who was interested in buying ten acres of property along the river from the airport where there is an access road to his property. At the time the BAA requested that the property be surveyed and staked so that there would be a better idea of what is proposed to be sold. No further action has been taken. Mr. Chapman was re-contacted and he confirmed that he is still interested and he will have his attorney call our engineering firm. At this time, that has not happened. Mr. Kaminsky noted that the BAA needs to act on whether they still have an interest in selling.
Mr. Kaminsky commented that Mr. Chapman will be asked to take on the costs of the sale. Commissioner Pozzuto noted that as the representative from Milan, such a transaction would be encouraged. Commissioner Otis asked about the snowmachine trail and whether Mr. Chapman will allow it on the property. Chair Grenier said that it could be built into the deed as an easement.
Commissioner Rozek affirmed that approval is needed to move forward and once committed, whatever the value of the property is, that would be the price. Commissioner Pozzuto stated that the typical Milan lot goes for $32,000 for the first acre, and then the price per acre goes down. Adjustments are made for slope and there could be a difference in value because of river front.
Commissioner Rozek moved to allow Mr. Kaminsky to begin the process for the sale of ten acres along the river to Mr. Chapman; Commissioner Pozzuto seconded and the motion carried.
Proposal for Lease Amendments
Mr. Kaminsky indicated that the issue with Mr. Drobny’s building lease last year prompted a review of leased space at the airport. Mr. Drobny felt that he was unfairly charged though he has a site with a private access to the ramp. He still has not signed a lease; however he has paid. The recommendation of the airport manager is to
1. Establish a minimum for any lease regardless of the size of the lot, of $250. Someone could have a mailbox at the airport and that would cost $250. Anything 250 square feet or less is $250
2. The second recommendation comes after talking with the airport’s engineer and the City Manager. It is proposed that the BAA consider zones at the airport with some real estate being worth more because of location. A hangar with access to the ramp is worth more than those hangars in Hangar Alley. A map with the delineations shown as Area B, Area C and Area A which is yet to be built. B would be worth the most, C and A would be less.
Commissioner Rozek noted that any private access under this proposal will be blocked off. Commissioner Pozzuto suggested that the reception building has private access rather than community access to the ramp and is therefore worth more than the minimum amount. In discussion that followed, Authority members agreed that Mr. Drobny would be offered a lease at the minimum amount of $250 with the private access blocked off or a lease with the full access of the parking area for the rate of .13 per square foot.
Mr. MacQueen made the point that if this access to the ramp is left open, it reduces security of the airstrip. Access points to the runway were discussed and Mr. Kaminsky agreed that if the FAA had their way, there would be no unauthorized access on the ramp. It was agreed that Mr. Drobny will be given the choice of whether to have the access or not. If he wants it, he will be charged. Commissioner Rozek also affirmed that Area B is the first to be plowed in winter.
3. Mr. Kaminsky stated that he also recommends that the airport manager be allowed to inspect hangars annually to see that they are conforming to minimum standards and abiding by all applicable laws; and
4. That insurance certificates are provided annually to the BAA.
Chair Grenier noted that a letter regarding the changes to leases should include a date to inspect that is “mutually agreed to by the manager and owner”.
Commissioner Rozek asked what the consequences are for not paying the lease or not signing. Mr. MacQueen said they should be evicted. Commissioner Ducharme pointed out that there should be penalties. Mr. Kaminsky noted that many of the hangars have grass and weeds against the buildings that need trimming. Penalties were again mentioned; the grass could be cut and the owner charged for the work.
Commissioner Pozzuto moved to accept the recommendations as presented; Commissioner Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
Airport Manager’s Report
Hangar Sales. Hangars belonging to both Doug Johnson (hangar#8) and Lou Desmond (hangar#6) are in the process of being sold. Mr. Johnson is selling his hangar to Mr. Landry and Mr. Desmond is selling his hangar to Mr. Scarinza.
Minimum Standards. Copies of our present Minimum Standards (with possible changes) will be passed out to BAA members for discussion at the next Authority Meeting.
AIP. The paving has been finished with the exception of a small dip in the pavement that will be fixed with a change order. A self contained snowblower; dump truck, and sander were purchased with grant money.
Mowing. The airport does mowing for other city departments. Mr. Kaminsky suggested that the mowing work be given directly to the airport so that the work could be kept in-house.
Sand Sales. Sand sales have been good this spring/summer with the BWW buying 3,089 yards since 6/23/11 resulting in $9,267.00 so far this quarter. Commissioner Rozek asked why the sand is not used on roads and Mr. Kaminsky replied that it is a fine sand and not gritty enough. Commissioner Otis asked how many years are left in the pit. Chair Grenier said that there are six years left and BWW has two more years of federal money for water projects.
Other. Mr. Kaminsky indicated that John Hertz and Mel Shute have outside lights on their hangars that are left on at the airport’s request since 9/11/2002. The airport has not increased the amount paid to them since the start though electric rates have gone up. Mr. Hertz suggested that instead of $9 per month, they should get $ 14. Commissioner Pozzuto suggested taking the amount out of the lease and Chair Grenier preferred to continue with paying separately.
Commissioner Rozek confirmed that this is a typical yard light that is on the hangar. He suggested that the airport manager look into getting a light that is more efficient and be less expensive to run. Authority members noted that they are entertaining the idea of increasing the payment but they want to work with Mr. Hertz to get a more efficient lighting system.
It was confirmed that the runway lights at the airport are new. Commissioner Pozzuto suggested that the North Country Council has grant money for energy projects and they may be able to do something if contacted
Commissioner Rozek moved to accept the manager’s report; Commissioner Otis seconded and the motion carried.
Other
Chair Grenier read a letter dated 7/18/11 from Gary Cole complimenting the services of the airport manager and the Berlin Airport.
Non-Public Session
Commissioner Rozek moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 (a) the dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Commissioner Otis moved to come out of non-public session; Commissioner Rozek seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
In the open meeting, Commissioner Rozek moved to approve the additional compensation; Commissioner Otis seconded and the motion carried with Commissioner Pozzuto abstaining. He stated that Milan has no financial commitment.
Commissioner Rozek moved to adjourn; Commissioner Otis seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
| 
