Concord Journal
Thursday, October 17, 2002

Letter: Hanscom growth will change town

Calling all Concordians. Do you know what's in store for you?

Nationally, we have a new FAA administrator, Marion Blakey, who has stated that her primary goal is "capacity enhancement", i.e., developing infrastructure, operating systems, and technologies that will increase our country's aviation capacity. Expansion, not efficiency, will continue to be FAA's mission in the face of a growing body of research indicating that airplane travel is the fastest-growing source of carbon dioxide in the upper atmosphere, and that carbon dioxide and other jet emissions are directly related to global warming.

Locally, we have an airport operator, Massport, who has made it clear that it will not discourage infrastructure (e.g., new hangars, new cargo space, a "small" hotel to accommodate travelers, more terminal and parking space) that will attract more users to Hanscom Field.

We have Massport's own noise expert who points out that the forecasted jump in air traffic, and its accompanying noise, will mainly affect Concord, as well as parts of Lexington.

We have traffic control experts who predict that "traffic calming," including curbs and rotaries, will be necessary on the Battle Road (Route 2A), under projected growth scenarios. Do we want a rotary at Meriam's Corner?

And yet, many Concordians do not seem aware of the reality of these threats.

ShhAir and Save Our Heritage, with a handful of dedicated volunteers, have proven that citizen efforts can make a difference. The failure of Shuttle America's commercial venture here was due, in no small part, to community education, sign holding, and airport leafleting. Passengers were deterred.

But we can't let our guard down; there are more assaults to come!

So, wake up and smell the exhaust! At 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, at Bedford Town Hall, the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency will conduct a hearing on how Massport's projections for growth at Hanscom Field will affect our environment. Come and listen. Your mere presence in the audience sends a powerful message that we care, and that we're watching. And then get involved: lend us your expertise; give a little bit of your time. Thank you.

Leslie Fisher
Middle Street
ShhAir Board member

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