Citizens Group Compiling Candidates’ Stances on Airport Expansion-August 16, 1974

Seven out of ten candidates running for state representative from the 17th Norfolk District have returned completed questionnaires regarding their positions on the airport to SNAG (Stop Norwood Airport Growth). Lawrence H. Rose, a steering committee member of the anti-expansionist citizens group, announced that candidate responses are currently being compiled and will be made public shortly after Labor Day, just ahead of the September 10 state primaries.

The SNAG steering committee planned to meet over the weekend to determine whether to rank candidates based on how closely their platforms align with the group’s anti-expansion positions. Rose emphasized that having a state representative from Norwood who supports curbing airport growth would be a tremendous asset, noting that Norwood Airport stands as the busiest municipally owned general aviation airport in New England and ranks as the third busiest overall in Massachusetts, trailing only Logan International Airport and Bedford’s Hanscom Field.

The questionnaire addressed several key policy matters:

• Jet Noise Ban: Asking candidates if they would collaborate with the Norwood Airport Commission to pursue a ban on jets exceeding federal noise limits, following two prior rejections by the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission.
• Commission Expansion: Inquiring whether candidates favor expanding the airport commission to include representatives from surrounding towns, mirroring a legislative study committee already authorized by the state legislature.
• Regular Dialogue: Proposing regular meetings between lawmakers and the airport commission’s legislative subcommittee.
• State Funding: Asking candidates if they would oppose state appropriations for Norwood Airport made without a specific funding request from the commission.
• Growth Limits: Requesting stances on whether the airport should continue expanding at recent rates or if it has already surpassed its capacity.

Meanwhile, Rose noted that a federal aviation official recently acknowledged to the airport commission that local authority to set airport noise limits would likely require a definitive court ruling.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger