North Adams Hangar Completion Date Pushed Back
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northeast Hangar renovation project will not be completed by the grant deadline date of June 30 but more likely be in the mid- to late summer.
"In terms of project completion, it will not be completed by June 30," Stantec engineer Peter Enzien said. "We still have to get the materials on-site, and then we actually have to reassemble the building."
In 2022, the commissioners voted to go forward with the renovation of the derelict hangar, purchased by the city. The project would tap a mix of state, federal, and local funds.
Supply issues caused project delays as well as a change order the commission approved last month that increased the total project cost to $642,000.
Enzien wasn't worried about losing funding and is working with state Department of Transportation to find solutions. He said they hope to be able to complete the state portion of the project by the deadline, but they are also exploring different reimbursement plans.
The federal portion of the project can go beyond the June 30 date.
He felt mid- to late summer date was a more achievable deadline.
As for the change order, Enzien said it has been submitted to MassDOT and the Federal Aviation Administration for review. He said they will likely review it this week.
"The project is a little quiet right now, and we are waiting on that change order to go through a process," he said. "Then we can order the additional materials."
He did say the hangar bifold doors have been delivered and that was a step in the right direction.
Airport Manager Bruce Goff said he does have a waiting list for the new hangar.
Goff moved into his own report and said he had concerns over the airport's Automated Surface Observation System.
He said the National Weather Service has been on site to make repairs, but it is still not relaying wind speed and direction information.
"That information is important to pilots landing and taking off," he said. "It is a problem and a safety concern."
Adding to the issue, Goff said the windsock and tee lights are out so pilots do not have a visual representation of wind direction and speed at night.
He said he is pushing to get them fixed.
Goff said he was able to get a hold of the aircraft owner whose plane flipped during a storm last year. The city footed the towing bill.
Goff said he gave the owner the $4,580 towing bill, but the owner does not intend to pay.
"He told me that he does not have the money," he said. "I don't know what else to do."
Goff said the only other option is to take the case to small claims court.
In the meantime, he has let the plane owner onto the premises to take apart the derelict plane and remove it.
Goff said he has two organizations interested in leasing the upper offices in the administration building. He suggested charging a $500 monthly fee.
He said the two interested organizations are aviation related so a request for proposals does not need to be released
Goff was concerned about some trees bending dangerously close to the city-owned Shamrock Hangar.
"They are coming over the fence from a neighboring property, and they will have to be removed," he said. "One is actually right on top of the hangar, not hitting it, but it is only a matter of time."
He said he is already working on getting the trees removed.
Goff had a meeting with MassDOT representatives where they discussed a between $300,000 and $500,000 security system upgrade to the airport. Goff said he was told plans were complete but wanted to review them before the final submittal.
"The design is done, but no one talked to me about it," he said. "I think I would have some input."
Commissioner Marc Morandi said the project is a MassDOT project and has been in the works for some time now. Because of funding obstacles, it has been delayed.
The commission approved a two-week power parachute school to operate at the airport starting in July.
"I support this. I like that it might get some more people into aviation," he said. "And everyone likes seeing those bright-colored parachutes in the sky."
The airport will receive tiedown fees and $100 per student and $50 per instructor.
The commission approved some fee increases and policy changes discussed during a previous meeting.
The commission welcomed new member Robert Grandchamp. A second member, Michael McCarron, was also appointed by City Council but was not able to attend the meeting.
With former member Dean Bullett stepping away to join the Planning Board, the commission only needs one more member to fill its ranks.
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