Bedford Minuteman
October 31, 2002

Lincoln residents complain of noise over Hanscom

By Stephen Hagan / Staff Writer

No, that's not the sound of the "Grinch Who Stole Christmas" but instead it is the sound several Hanscom Air Field area residents have recently been hearing. The rise in complaints from neighbors at Battle Road Farm was reported at Monday's Lincoln Board of Selectmen meeting by Selectman Sara Mattes.

Noise complaints at Hanscom are nothing new. But Mattes said there has been a recent jump in decibels related to what airline officials call "engine run-up." The practice occurs when jets are parked next to blast walls at airports and the engine is revved during routine engine maintenance.

The problem?

According to Mattes, "a number" of residents say the run-ups are on the rise. In addition, reports are many are taking place during the middle of the night or early in the morning, when airport neighbors are still sleeping. One incident, according to Mattes, took place at 5:15 a.m.

"This is clearly unacceptable," said Mattes. "Massport can do something about this."

But Massport spokesman Richard Walsh said Tuesday that the total number of run-ups has declined.

"It's been less than what it's been recently," he said. "Engine run-ups are routine at airports, especially with airports with maintenance schools like Hanscom. For the most part, they occur during the day."

Walsh said Massport records show there were seven run-ups at Hanscom last month between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

"I wouldn't call that an excessive number of engine run-ups," Walsh said. "It's less than two a week."

Marty Pepper Aisenberg, projects director at Save Our Heritage, said the recent reports indicate that not all of the noise was created by Shuttle America. He said Massport officials have indicated they are keeping a log of run-ups and plan to share the results with HFAC. So far, he said, that has not taken place.

Aisenberg said Massport is supposed to control run-ups.

"They have a right to ban them," he said. "They can't ban night flights under federal law but they can ban run-ups. There is a Hanscom noise regulation which says no one can do an engine run-up without Massport's permission.

"Is it more important for some corporate jet to take off at 4 a.m. or for hundreds of people not to be disturbed during their sleep?"

Mattes said a Hanscom Field Advisory Committee subcommittee plans to look into the issue of engine run-ups, something that took place with more frequency when Shuttle America was based at the airport. The airline moved its maintenance operations to Fort Wayne, Ind. in July.

But airport noise has apparently not subsided, according to reports made by some abutters.

"Given the nature of jet traffic, it's going to be a problem," said Mattes.

Walsh said when Shuttle America's maintenance facility was located at Hanscom, there were about 30 run-ups that took place per month.

"It's significantly less," he said. "I don't think you would want Massport to tell a maintenance facility to control run-ups as part of the maintenance routine. The towns allowed housing to be built in an area near the blast pads. This is part of the operation of an airport. It's not unique to Hanscom Field."

In response to the problem, Mattes is asking residents who chronicle the noise to send her an e-mail describing the incident and when it happened. She said residents can call the town offices at 781-259-2600 and ask for her e-mail address. Mattes plans to compile a report to be presented at the next HFAC meeting. She also said Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, plans to attend the meeting.

The documentation, she said, is key.

"We believe we can have some control at the next meeting," said Mattes.

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