Airline retreat a victory for towns

Bedford Minuteman

Feb 7, 2002

To the editor:

Boston-Maine Airways' retreat from Hanscom Field is a stunning victory for the communities. This airline proclaimed its intention to come here regardless of local opposition; instead, it has discovered how powerful such opposition can be.

If the people and their elected representatives had not held Massport's feet to the fire, Boston-Maine would be flying over the North Bridge, Walden, Estabrook and Great Meadows this spring. Everyone who has attended a HATS or HFAC meeting, picketed at Hanscom, or otherwise supported the work of the citizens' groups shares in this victory. We especially thank the HATS selectmen -- Shelly Moll (Bedford), Gary Clayton (Concord), Peter Enrich
(Lexington) and Sara Mattes (Lincoln) -- for consistently pressing Massport to conduct an environmental review as promised before allowing more than 48 commercial operations.

We must continue to oppose all commercial aviation at Hanscom, because it cannot exist in harmony with the internationally important historic sites surrounding the airport.

An even more insidious threat to our historic communities is the
overwhelming growth in corporate jet flights. Jets cause over 90% of the
noise at Hanscom. Jet operations have increased annually for eight consecutive years, have doubled in the past four years, and since September 11 have increased 50% over the same period last year. This is happening because there is a select group of people who can afford to spend $5,000 an hour and burn truckloads of fuel so they can fly alone without having to deal with everyday travel inconveniences.

The desire of a few, most of whom do not live here, to avoid these inconveniences does not and cannot justify destroying the peace of thousands of people. It does not justify cutting down thousands and thousands of trees in the four surrounding towns, including vast stretches of the Bedford
Town Forest. It certainly does not justify ruining the irreplaceable
historic and natural resources of these towns.

We have been entrusted with the care of these places and we cannot be spectators.

Save Our Heritage and ShhAir are working on a campaign to halt the growth of jet noise and pollution at Hanscom. We will keep the community informed as the campaign develops. In the meantime, for more information and to find out what you can do to get involved, go to ShhAir's website at www.shhair.org, or contact Save Our Heritage at 978-369-6662 or info@saveourheritage.com.

Neil Rasmussen
President, Save Our Heritage
Estabrook Rd., Concord

Jim Henderson
Vice President, ShhAir
Giles Rd., Lincoln

Kay Tiffany
ShhAir Board (Emeritus)
Reed St., Lexington

Lori Eggert
ShhAir Board
Bonnievale Dr., Bedford

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