Compiled by The Bedford Citizen
Attendees at the December 2018 Hanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) meeting learned that business terms regarding construction of the new North Airfield corporate hangar and storage T-hangar facilities are still under discussion at Massport. The final proposals are expected to be presented to the full Massport Board early in 2019.
The North Airfield hangar facilities will be sited on two 7-acre parcels of Massport land adjacent to the curve on Hartwell Road, one just west of the 16-acre naval hangar property currently up for bid in the GSA auction, and the other adjacent to the Instrumentation Laboratory property line, less than 1000 feet from the Hartwell Farms neighborhood.
Hanscom Field Advisory Commission Chair Mike Rosenberg and Bedford residents attending the December meeting questioned the Massport representatives about the North Airfield’s proposed hangars and associated facilities; they were very keen to learn whether and how Bedford would have a role in shaping the projects, the construction plans, and final scheduling. Mr. Rosenberg further noted that Massport has invited Town officials to participate in the construction planning schedule.
Amber Goodspeed, Massport’s Manager of Airport Administration at Hanscom Field, remarked that Bedford officials and residents had an opportunity to provide input to the 2018 FAA Environmental Assessment of the North Airfield Projects through last spring’s public comment period. She added that the 2017 5-Year Environmental Status and Planning Report (ESPR) would be finalized during the first quarter of 2019 and would trigger another round of public meetings and another public comment period.
Goodspeed also explained that upon acceptance of the North Airfield proposals, Massport will schedule a planning meeting with the winning contractors. After that meeting, the contractors will present their proposals to Bedford officials and residents at an HFAC meeting. That presentation will be the venue for Bedford to learn details about the proposed hangar projects. It will also offer an opportunity for the community and Town officials to provide input to Massport and its chosen developers.
Because attendance for such a meeting involving the North Airfield would likely be robust, concern was expressed about the relatively small size of the Civil Air Terminal meeting rooms. Margaret Coppe, the South Lexington Civic Association representative to HFAC, suggested that particularly important HFAC meetings might easily be moved to the Bedford Town Hall so that all interested Bedford officials and residents could be accommodated. A request was also made to the Massport representatives for plenty of advance notice for such a Bedford Community Input meeting, perhaps 30 to 60 days.
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