Justin Castello

The regular business meeting covered several reports and approvals. The Airport Manager reported on flight operations, hangar waitlist status, the completion of excavation for the Sewer Line Extension Project (with further testing scheduled), the upcoming bid for the demolition project, a public meeting planned for the master plan, the submission of the Local Share Statewide Grant application, budgeted county funding for 2026 airport projects, preliminary FAA work on communications upgrades, and preparations for landing fee implementation. The Engineer reported that maintenance building plans should be ready for the next meeting. Committee reports noted that the Scholarship Committee received one application, the Finance Committee reviewed capital improvement items, and the Website Development Committee authorized the Airport Manager to approve final website items. In Public Comment, AirQuest Aviation presented preliminary data on hangar construction costs. Old Business included the unanimous approval of the final Non-Federal Reimbursable Agreement and a payment to the Department of Transportation. New Business involved motions to remove an individual from bank accounts effective January 1, 2026, approve the 2026 budget, and approve a lease agreement for the Friends of the Bantam Jeep. The Commissioner reported on engagement with legislators and potential visits from the U.S. DOT Secretary. Financial reports for October 2025 were approved.

The meeting addressed the departure of a long-serving director and modified the order of business to place public comment after staff and committee reports. The Airport Manager reported on September flight operations, noise complaints, and mitigation efforts involving PAPI light configuration, pilot best practices, and airspace modifications. The Engineer reported that the demolition project is seventy-five percent complete, with physical work deferred until spring 2026. Committee reports included discussion on the Scholarship Fund, ongoing work on the 2026 budget and infrastructure needs by the Finance Committee, and readiness to proceed by the Website Development Committee. Public comments centered on airport noise and traffic patterns. In old business, approval of a lease was tabled pending the owner's signature, and the Federal Contract Tower program requirements were noted. New business saw the unanimous approval of landing fee exemptions for the 2026 Rates and Charges Schedule, and tabling of the Public Comment Policy. Directors also agreed to allow a current tenant to renew its lease without the outlined rent increase. A County Commissioner noted limitations on using the Infrastructure Bank for hangar construction but suggested exploring the 'Local Share' state grant.

The regular business meeting included an executive session prior to the meeting to address personnel and lease issues, and an introduction of a new board member joining in January 2026. The Airport Manager reported on October operations, ongoing hangar inspections, discussions with county commissioners regarding funding, and engagement with township officials regarding zoning for a forty-acre parcel. Support letters were requested for a grant application to cover contract tower expenses, and outstanding federal/state reimbursement requests were noted. The Engineer reported that the sewer line extension project along Airport Road commenced, though bedrock excavation caused additional expense. Plans were submitted for the demolition of Runway Protection Zone houses, and a Task Order for contract tower siting engineering was submitted, with suggestions for potentially less expensive sites. Committee reports covered hangar rent standardization, a new scholarship application period, the 2026 budget review, and positive progress on the website update. Discussions during Public Comment involved a flight student introduction and a commitment from AirQuest Aviation to present figures on the viability of constructing new hangars. Key actions included the unanimous approval of the High Flight C8 lease and the Public Comment Policy, which limits speakers to three minutes. New business saw unanimous approval for the 2026 Rates and Charges Schedule (subject to executive session changes), the 2026 Employee Pay Schedule, a Task Order for FAA Contract Tower siting study engineering, and a resolution authorizing up to one million dollars in funding through the Local Share Account-Statewide Program. Additionally, the one-year lease option extension for StructureTec was approved.

The special meeting included discussions and a motion to accept the payment of the "Reimbursable Agreement" to the Department of Transportation to support the Siting Study of a new Federal Contract Tower. Additionally, the sewer line extension project bids, opened on September 24, were discussed. The lowest bid was reviewed and approved by McFarland Johnson and fits within the project budget. The board authorized the Airport Manager to accept a bid meeting all the board's requirements.

The meeting included public comments regarding aircraft noise. The Airport Manager reported on flight operations, the USCTA conference, sewer line extension and Master Plan progress, the Bureau of Aviation report, and a TSA inspection. The Engineer reported on the sewer line extension and contract tower planning. Committee reports included business operations, scholarships, finance, and website development. The board discussed contract tower planning, approved engineering design services for the maintenance building, bid out the sewer line extension project, tabled the Conference Room Rental Policy, and discussed imposing landing fees. The county approved a resolution for a bond related to Life Flight helicopters. The June 2025 financial reports were approved.