Norwood Airport Commission and Pilots Clash Over Representation and Regulations-July 29, 1981

⠀

The ongoing feud between local pilots and the Norwood Airport Commission flared up once again during a town meeting. Airport Commission Chairman Wilfred C. Chesebrough firmly stated that pilots’ charges that their views were being ignored by the commission were completely unjustified. Wilfred C. Chesebrough maintained that all commission meetings are fully open to the public and that comments and feedback from pilots or any other residents are always welcome.

The 100-member Norwood Airport Association, which represents local pilots, had petitioned the selectmen two weeks prior asking to expand the airport commission from seven to nine members, specifically requesting that the two additional seats be filled by active pilots. The association argued that local pilots were not properly represented on the commission, which currently featured no active pilots among its ranks. Responding to the criticism, Wilfred C. Chesebrough remarked, If there’s a communication gap, it’s one created by themselves. Our meetings are open; people can comment at any meeting.

Wilfred C. Chesebrough also denied accusations from pilots that the commission had unfairly had police issue parking tickets without warning for vehicles parked on airport taxiways on July 1. He explained that official warning signs instructing pilots to keep their cars off taxiways had been clearly posted. Furthermore, Wilfred C. Chesebrough noted that the parking tickets were never formally processed anyway, because the state Aeronautics Commission ruled they were invalid, and the affected pilots were notified within several days.

Following the hearing, Airport Association President Thomas R. Spiegel reiterated his grievances, charging that the commission consistently refuses to listen to pilots—particularly regarding urgent concerns over necessary runway repairs, perimeter fencing to prevent vandalism, and advanced landing aid equipment. Meanwhile, Selectmen Chairman John F. Kinnaly stated that he did not favor expanding the commission and did not believe the dispute fell under the jurisdiction of the selectmen. We can only appoint members, John F. Kinnaly said. We have no jurisdiction on the airport commission, but everybody keeps thinking we do. Selectman William J. Plasko echoed this sentiment, adding that he felt very confident in the commission’s leadership and noting that pilots have every opportunity to address them directly, reflecting ongoing tensions in Norwood’s aviation community.

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