Berlin Airport Authority
October 16, 2007
Present at the meeting were: Chair Robert Danderson, Commissioners Grenier, Boucher, Cusson, Donovan, Lafleur and Lamontagne; Eric Kaminsky, Airport Manager. Others present were: Macolm Shute, Peter Roberts, Ken Dube, Al Cayouette; Harvey Oest, and Michael Deletetsky representing Oest Associates.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Commissioner Cusson moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting; Commissioner Lafleur seconded and the motion carried.
Financials
Commissioner Grenier asked for the amount of the operational deficit. He stated that the airport is in limbo status until the number is known. The deficit should be recorded in the financials and should be reconciled at the end of the year.
Commissioner Donovan confirmed that expected sand sales will go toward reducing the deficit but he agreed that the BAA needs to know what that number is. Federal projects should be audited separately so that we know where we stand.
Commissioner Donovan moved to approve the financials; Commissioner Lafleur seconded and the motion carried. Commissioner Grenier opposed due to the way the financials are being presented.
Coleman Agreement
Chair Danderson noted that Coleman has sent us an agreement; however it does not include a provision that the final number of yards of sand taken by Coleman will be determined by an independent survey conducted and paid for by the airport. Mr. Kaminsky commented that the ending surveys should be within 2% of each other.
Commissioner Cusson questioned whether the pit would be exclusive to Coleman since others hauling out of the same pit would skew the number. Chair Danderson confirmed that there is an area marked off that is limited to Coleman. He went on to say that the Berlin Water Works will need a lot of sand as well for the water line work they are doing for the Federal prison.
Authority members agreed that it is critical to the agreement that the additional items be added.
Commissioner Grenier moved to approve the pit agreement with an additional item “final payment to the BAA shall be determined by a survey conducted and paid for by the BAA.”
Commissioner Boucher clarified that item c) in the contract will be used for payment by Coleman on a monthly basis. She added that the beginning number should be agreed to. Mr. Coleman will be provided a copy of the BAA survey.
Master Plan Review
Mike Deletetsky indicated that the State DOT and the FAA have not produced comments on the draft Master Plan sent to them. The preferred alternative to having an ILS is Alternative 5 as it does not affect structures. It would involve relocating the 100 low lead tank.
Commissioner Donovan stated that Jack Ferns was comfortable that there is new technology for instrument landing coming in the near future, that will be satellite driven.
SRE Building
Mr. Deletetsky explained that there is $200,000 in the FAA bank, available at the next apportionment and the next project for the airport is an equipment building. The FAA has a document that says how big the building can be and what equipment can be stored in the building. He proposed a building six to seven thousand square feet. The building could have a wash bay, oil storage, office space, a work bench and place to do repairs.
Chair Danderson thought it important to have water and heat in the building but he was concerned about the operational costs. Mr. Kaminsky was ready to support a building without amenities such as water or heat. Commissioner Cusson stated that the money to build is 95% funded by the FAA, 2.5% by the State and the airport is only responsible for 2.5% of the cost. He encouraged Oest to design a building that has all the “bells and whistles” and to provide operating costs. With that information, the BAA could make an informed decision.
Commissioner Boucher mentioned going green and having solar panels to heat the building. She agreed that the building should be big so that it would continue to be useful long term. Mr. Deletetsky confirmed that they would come up with a floor plan and operational cost.
Commissioner Grenier expressed the airport’s need for snow removal equipment to replace the 1962 grader and 1982 blower with a multi use vehicle
Review of Minimum Standards
Commissioner Lafleur noted that he asked for this item on the agenda. He commented that the standards should be reviewed and updated periodically.
Chair Danderson asked that all members review and he also wanted to hear the manager’s recommendations. Commissioner Donovan noted that there should be a subcommittee of the BAA to look at the standards more closely if there are a lot of changes to make.
Airport Manager’s Report
Mr. Kaminsky reported that he looked into getting a wireless Internet connection at the airport. He noted that he has purchased the equipment to pick up the signal from the school for his personal use at his residence in the upstairs apartment of the terminal building. If the equipment were to be used by pilots, Mr. Kaminsky recommended that the airport own the equipment and establish controls so that use of a wireless connection is for its intended purpose.
The set up to obtain the wireless costs $250 to $300; the ISP is $30 per month and the existing equipment is $470. Mr. Kaminsky noted that he would be willing to pay half of the monthly fee to continue his personal connection to the wireless. Commissioner Grenier stated that he understood that the White Mountain Flyers were going to pay for all this. Mr. Kaminsky voiced that their understanding was that the state and city were going to pay.
Chair Danderson asked what is wrong with what we are doing now. Commissioner Boucher stated that the proposal to acquire wireless Internet was done as part of a marketing effort and an attempt to make the pilot’s lounge a better space. Chair Danderson noted that the airport should be conserving and limiting expenses to the necessities. Commissioner Grenier commented that the wireless could be budgeted for next year.
Commissioner Donovan suggested making an adjustment in fuel costs so that there is enough money to pay for this additional service.
Mr. Kaminsky reasoned that the existing system works; if a pilot needs to get onto the Internet he goes into the office and accesses the dial up connection. The new connection can be addressed at the next budget cycle if the BAA so chooses.
Chair Danderson made the point that the airport’s deficit is being paid for by the citizens of Berlin. He questioned, how important is wireless Internet to the use of the airport? He went on to say that the airport should invest in the things that are needed and should be looking at capital projects that have priorities. Commissioner Boucher questioned why these concerns did not come up prior to the vote at the last meeting.
Commissioner Lamontagne commented that broadband is great but it is ridiculous to have and not use. Chair Danderson wanted to see proof that there is a need. Commissioner Lafleur suggested putting dial up in the lounge and adding the wireless concept to the next budget.
Logo
Sketches of the new logo have been sent to the high school for design.
Name Change
With regard to a name change, there is paperwork that has to be filed with the FAA and DOT. We need to have the logo, name change and brochure before Commissioner Donovan and Mr. Kaminsky meet with local hotels to promote the airport. Commissioner Grenier moved to approve Berlin Regional Airport as the new name; Commissioner Donovan seconded and the motion carried.
Enterprise Rental
Mr. Kaminsky reported that Enterprise is opening an office in Gorham. They would like the airport to have a concessionary agreement with the BAA to keep a car on airport property for rental. There were concerns about taking on the responsibility of a car left at the airport and the liability of having the airport act as the rental agent.
Commissioner Grenier stated that the airport has a good business relationship with the existing dealers and there is no reason change. Enterprise can be listed in the same capacity as the other dealers.
Snowmachine Trail
The trail is at the north end of the property and there have been no problems. The State provides proof of insurance for the trail.
One Ton Truck
Mr. Kaminsky reported that the truck is out to bid.
Commissioner Donovan moved to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Boucher seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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