Pittsfield Councilors Seeking Review of Airport Management
PITTSFIELD, Mass. —— Three city councilors are asking for a review of airport management.
Councilors Donna Todd Rivers, Christopher Connell, and Melissa Mazzeo filed a petition asking Mayor Linda Tyer to form a study group review options for airport management and perform a cost analysis.
"It has become very apparent that the revenue is, in my opinion, insufficient and we have escalating expenses there because it is a city-run operation," Connell said.
Connell says it isn't money in the budget, which is mostly offset by revenues generated from the airport, but also capital expenses. Last year, the city replaced a warning beacon and while most of that was funded by the Federal Aviation Authority, the city did have to chip in.
"It doesn't seem like there is an end," he said.
Rivers is asking who benefits from running the airport, what natural conservation concerns there are, and if the airport is causing an undue financial hardship.
"As we approach the upcoming budget conversations, I would like to know how the airport is able to operate in a deficit," Rivers said. "I'm not wedded to any particular outcome."
Mazzeo said the city should be looking at whether or not the airport should be privatized instead of being run by the city. The council fully supported the petition, which is now in the hands of Tyer.
In other business, the council approved all of Tyer's appointments for department heads but suggested Denis Guyer, who is being put in charge of the maintenance department, obtain a general contractor's license.
"It is a short course. It used to be a six-week course at night. It is inexpensive and I think it is something that should be a requirement moving forward," Connell said of the license.
Guyer's appointment was not coupled with a resume outlining any certificates or licenses. Some councilors said the general contractor license would be valuable because the maintenance director has to oversee contractors working in many trades.
"I would have liked to seen some more licensor in there," Mazzeo said. "We have a high school that is going to be built and as much as Mr. Guyer has for development, I think having a bit more of a background in the trade of the people he is going to oversee would be helpful."
Despite the lack of information on Guyer's licensor, Council Vice President John Krol said Guyer is the right guy for the position.
"He is incredibly ready for this position and brings this position to the very next level that we've been hoping for," Krol said. "He is the person for this position and he is going to be exceptional."
Guyer is a former state representative who has management experience with Crane & Co. and Iredale Cosmetics. He takes over for Peter Sondrini.
Tags: airport, appointments,
