Lowell Sun
October 22, 2003

FedEx still weighing Hanscom options as foes keep up the fight

By Jason Lefferts, Sun Staff

BEDFORD -- Lawn signs and an opinion piece from documentary-maker Ken Burns are the latest signs of battle against a potential move by FedEx into Hanscom Field, but officials say the fight is currently against a phantom opponent.

Spokespeople from FedEx and MassPort, the state agency in charge of the civilian airport, say the shipping giant is reviewing its options and there are currently no active discussions between the two about moving some of FedEx's operations to the airport.

"There is nothing new on the return of FedEx to Hanscom," said Jose Juves, a MassPort spokesman. "FedEx has agreed that when they have plans, they will present them to the community."

FedEx has been considering a move into Hanscom Field, running in one plane a day to land after 5 p.m. and take off before 11 p.m. every day. The prospect of FedEx moving to the airport has met fierce opposition from residents near the airport and activist groups like Save Our Heritage.

Around the area near the airport, lawns are dotted with bright-yellow signs protesting the proposal. Burns is a member of Save Our Heritage's advisory board, and last week The Boston Globe opinion page included a piece from Burns calling for FedEx to stay out of Hanscom.

Marty Pepper Aisenberg, the projects director for Save Our Heritage, said while Burns' piece is focused on FedEx, it matches the view of the group and others who want to protect Revolutionary War-era sites near the airport from traffic, noise, and other factors created by more commercial activity at the airport. The group is not opposed to the adjacent Hanscom Air Force Base.

Aisenberg said the group continues to work toward pushing FedEx away from the civilian Hanscom Field.

"FedEx has not said it is not coming to Hanscom. Until they say they are not coming to Hanscom, the campaign continues," Aisenberg said. "We will continue to exert efforts so they understand this is an inappropriate place to set up business."

Sandra Munoz, a FedEx spokeswoman, said the Memphis-based company is still considering whether or not Hanscom fits in its plans. She would not discuss what other options are being considered or when a final decision on Hanscom would be made. Currently, the company uses Logan International Airport in Boston for local operations.

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