NEWSTEAD
Board OKs proposal for Akron Airport
Proposed improvements at the private Akron Airport were approved by the Newstead Town Board Monday despite concerns about surface water runoff voiced by a handful of residents at a public hearing.
Voting 3-1, the board approved site plans for reconstructing existing asphalt taxi lanes, construction of asphalt paving in the terminal tie-down area, expansion of the existing drainage system and erosion control and improved lighting.
Councilman Justin Rooney, who has earlier expressed concerns with drainage at the airport, voted no. Councilman Thomas George, who is on vacation, was absent.
The improvement plans have been approved by the Town Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals and were favorably reviewed by town engineers Wendel Duchscherer.
David Gray, president of the Christian Airmen, which owns the airport, and a representative of Passero Associates, engineers for the airport, gave a brief description of the plans, which include creating a drainage fund, with initial funding of $1,000, to address any drainage-related problems.
The plan is not an expansion of the airport and in fact the town squelched plans to add another airplane tie-down to the 12 existing ones.
A resident of Brooklyn Street and another from John Street were sharply critical of the board, claiming that it allows the airport to do whatever it wants without addressing concerns of residents about how their quality of life is affected by the airport.
“No one says no. We keep hearing that the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] controls everything. We were told there would be no jets up there. Don’t tell me there’s never been one there,” said the John Street resident. He also expressed concern for the safety of students and staff at Akron Central School, whose campus is near the airport.
Gray said there are no jets at the airport and that it neither sells nor stores jet fuel.
Councilman Harold Finger, whose residence and florist business is on East Avenue, also near the airport, said he’s been among those affected by the runoff of surface water to lower areas of the Village of Akron. He called the current drainage system “inadequate,” but said while he’s skeptical about the new system, “I’m willing to see if the new plan cuts the mustard.”
Supervisor David Cummings said, “They have modifications in the plan to address drainage, but it could be a year before we know if it works.” He said the town stipulated that the airport put aside money annually toward addressing drainage problems.
In other business, the board heard complaints from Cedar Street residents about bad odors from nearby Perry Ice Cream.
Town Code Enforcement Officer John Good said an aerator for a wastewater lagoon broke and the company was unable to get a replacement part because the supplier had gone out of business. Perry’s has installed two aeration hoses — and two more are due today — which Good said should begin to alleviate the odor.
