Pilots utilizing Norwood Airport could soon find themselves footing the bill for the facility’s $19,356 liability insurance policy rather than the town.
During a meeting last night, the Finance Commission voted to formally consult town counsel to determine whether the town can legally charge a landing fee to reimburse itself for airport insurance costs.
Commissioners also raised critical legal questions regarding whether public funds can properly be used to insure the private airport management firm, Boston Metropolitan Airport Inc. (BMA), given that a previous town meeting motion stipulated that insurance funding could only cover municipal property.
The controversy stems from a newly signed five-year operating lease between the town and Boston Metropolitan Airport Inc., marking the first time the town has been contractually required to pay for airport liability insurance. Airport Commission Chairman Edwin Page previously petitioned selectmen to draw the $19,000 expense directly from the town’s insurance fund, a request selectmen approved on the grounds that they had no alternative, subject to replacement funding at a special town meeting in September. However, Finance Commission Chairman Allan Howard strongly criticized the maneuver, asserting that the airport commission bypassed proper budgetary channels by going directly to selectmen instead of the finance commission.
Chairman Howard also raised broader concerns regarding transparency and lease arrangements at the airfield, questioning how an executive agent could lease property to itself and why the town agreed to absorb BMA’s insurance burden simply because the firm claimed financial hardship. Finance commission member William Plasko similarly questioned why landing fees had never previously been implemented to offset management costs. Reached later in the evening, Airport Commission Chairman Edwin Page defended the exploration of landing fees, calling it a wise option and a constructive result of open municipal discussion. Meanwhile, the Finance Commission intends to dispatch a formal letter to selectmen directing the legal inquiry back to town leadership.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
-
Plane Picking up Tom Brady Slides Off Norwood Runway-June 15, 2005
An aviation mishap at Norwood Memorial Airport leaves a twin-engine charter jet stuck in the mud 400 feet past the runway.
-
HubExpress Suspends Norwood-to-Logan Helicopter Shuttle-August 7, 1990
Citing low local ridership, equipment shortages, and parking constraints at Norwood Airport, HubExpress Airlines suspended its popular Norwood-to-Logan helicopter shuttle service.
-
FinCom Explores Landing Fees to Offset Airport Liability Insurance Costs-August 7, 1986
Following a new five-year lease requiring the town to cover $19,356 in airport liability insurance, the Norwood Finance Commission asked town counsel if landing fees can be legally charged to pilots.
-
Norwood Prepares for Airport Takeover-July 28, 1986
Town officials in Norwood weighed the possibility of taking over Norwood Airport from Boston Metropolitan Airport amid growing financial concerns and transparency issues.
-
Norwood Airport Commission Ratifies “Radically Different” Lease Agreement-July 11, 1986
New Lease Agreement for Norwood Airport On July 11, 1986, the Norwood Airport Commission voted 5–0 to approve a “radically different” lease agreement with Boston Metropolitan Airport (BMA), the firm that manages the municipal facility. ⠀ While the commission has spent at least five years negotiating the contract, they have opted to keep the specific…
-
Airport Commission Plans Study of Airplane Noise for 1986-July 17, 1985
The study, planned for the spring of 1986, will assess flight paths and noise levels in response to persistent complaints from residents.
-
Norwood 747 Club Members Bring Hang Gliding and Air Surfing to Town-August 9, 1972
Members of Norwood’s 747 Club brought hang gliding to the East Coast by constructing their own bamboo butterfly glider and testing it at Norwood Airport.
-
Norwood Airport To Sponsor Open House-July 27, 1972
The year was 1972, and the town of Norwood was buzzing with excitement as it prepared to celebrate its centennial anniversary. As part of this momentous occasion, the Norwood Centennial Airport Committee had planned a three-day open house event at the local airport. This grand celebration would showcase the best of aviation, entertainment, and community…
-
Converted World War II Bomber Prepares for Transatlantic Flight to Athens from Norwood Airport-July 23, 1965
A converted World War II Grumman torpedo bomber is departing Norwood Airport for a 26-hour transatlantic flight to Athens, Greece.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.