“We
need a comprehensive solution to the issue of airport
ownership.”
State Senator Dan Debicella (R-21) today said the Federal
Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) new Airport
Layout Plan for Sikorsky Memorial Airport should not
be approved without answering the larger questions of
airport ownership.
“There are two ideas we cannot compromise on—first,
the airport must not be expanded to allow larger planes
to operate; second, the Town of Stratford must have
the final say on any changes at the airport,”
said Senator Debicella.
Debicella said the best way to accomplish both goals
is to change the ownership structure of the airport:
“Having an airport located in Stratford but owned
by Bridgeport has only resulted in decades of frustration
and friction—we need the two towns to agree on
a new ownership structure before accepting the FAA’s
Airport Layout Plan.”
Sikorsky Memorial Airport is owned by the City of Bridgeport,
but is wholly within the town of Stratford. The airport
handles smaller private planes; larger planes are prohibited
because of the limited length of the airport.
The FAA’s new Airport Layout Plan proposes a
300 foot extension of the runway with a “safety
area” called an Engineered Materials Arresting
System (EMAS). According to a letter sent to Senator
Debicella by the FAA on November 20, “larger aircraft,
requiring longer runways, would not be able to operate
at Sikorsky Airport because the runway lengths required
do not exist and are not proposed for the future.”
The proposal was given a final public hearing on Tuesday,
December 16 at the Ramada Inn in Stratford.
“I am encouraged that the FAA has no plans to
allow for larger aircraft to land at Sikorsky Airport,”
said Debicella, “but plans can change. We need
a new ownership structure that will guarantee Sikorsky
Airport remains a vibrant location for small planes,
but not leave any option for the federal or state government
to impose an expansion on Stratford.”
In both 2007 and 2008, Senator Debicella and Representative
Terry Backer (D-121) co-sponsored legislation to prohibit
any changes to Route 113 without Stratford’s permission.
The current legislation runs out on April 15, 2009,
but Debicella said he and Backer will seek to extend
the moratorium again if a deal between Stratford and
Bridgeport is not reached.
“There are numerous possibilities for how airport
ownership can be changed,” Debicella said. “Stratford
could buy the airport outright, or co-own it with other
towns or a third-party private company. Stratford could
buy the land surrounding the airport to ensure expansion
could not happen. There are many different options on
the table.”
Debicella said Mayor James Miron of Stratford and Mayor
Bill Finch of Bridgeport were in on-going negotiations
about the airport. Debicella added, “I believe
whatever deal is put together should be put up for a
town-wide referendum just like the Long Beach West sale.
The people of Stratford should have the final say on
the ownership structure of the airport.”
Debicella said that only then could the FAA’s
proposed Airport Layout Plan be properly addressed under
a new ownership structure. “Stratford should be
able to make the decision about what we do with Sikorsky
Airport,” said Senator Debicella. “The airport
has a huge impact on quality of life for people in Lordship.”
Under a 1969 agreement, the Town of Stratford currently
has the power to approve or stop the FAA’s Airport
Layout Plan, as any changes to the layout must be approved
by both Stratford and Bridgeport. “I highly doubt
Stratford will agree to the FAA’s changes while
negotiations on ownership are ongoing,” said Debicella.
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