The Lincoln Journal
October 11, 2001

New eyes for Hanscom
Henderson naming lends technical expertise

By Stephen Hagan, Staff Writer

Wading through the complex nature of Federal Aviation Administration
standards is no small task for anyone. For local boards intent on monitoring
possible expansion at Hanscom Air Field, the task can be daunting.

But town officials now feel they have an ace in the hole with Jim Henderson,
a newly appointed member of the Conservation Commission. Henderson is known
in the area as a founding member of ShhAir, the Hanscom Field watchdog "
Safeguarding the Historic Hanscom Area’s Irreplaceable Resources. "

He was appointed to the 7-member commission earlier this month and town
officials are hoping Henderson will give them the technical expertise needed
to understand the technical nature of Hanscom issues.

" I have a broad array of experience that will help the town understand what
’s going on and how (the town) should react appropriately, " Henderson said.

For Selectman Sara Mattes, who is a member of the Hanscom Field Advisory
Committee, the technical nature of aviation and its impact on Lincoln will
now be seen through the eyes of experience, with Henderson part of the mix.

" We are constantly having to make sure we have all of the necessary
regulatory information on the table, " said Mattes. " Sorting out those
jurisdictional issues is difficult. That’s why I can’t wait to have Jim at
the table. He won’t have to wait for somebody to bring up the question. He’
ll know the question. "

Henderson said the future at Hanscom is uncertain, in light of the
heightened security at the air field. But he predicted Massport authorities
plan to move ahead with what he said is a strategy to develop commercial air
service. In addition, he said " fractional air service " is a reasonably new
offering that provides a company the opportunity to buy a " share, " of a
private jetliner, compared to owning and operating a jet or purchasing a
regular commercial airline ticket.

" It saves them thousands, " said Henderson. " They don’t have to lay out
all the dough. It gives the executives the ability to fly in private jets. "

Such arrangements have brought an increase in jet traffic, something that
has grown 125 percent over the past two years, Henderson said.

" The issue is jets are very noisy and the communities will have a big
impact as well as the (Minuteman) National Park, " he said. " You can see
the logic. Executives who have the money will consider the options. "

In terms of security, fractional air service provides little, if any,
according to Henderson. No security and no National Guardsman to protect the
public can be found at Hanscom, he said, adding all that is needed to board
a flight is a credit card.

Anna Winter, the executive director of Save Our Heritage, and those worried
about Hanscom expansion are concerned that fractional air service will bring
more air traffic in the skies over the air field. She said the time-share
operations is equivalent to commercial expansion.

" It’s the one and the same as far as we’re concerned, " said Winter. " We
feel they’re selling time shares like they do tickets. This is a commercial
enterprise here. "

" Unyielding quest "

Winter believes Lincoln is now in a better position to watch over Hanscom
issues. She said Henderson embodies a combination of environmental awareness
and " personal devotion " to Lincoln and its historic and natural resources.

" I know that Jim will be unyielding in his quest to guarantee full and
legitimate public involvement in the development of the VMP, " she said. The
VMP refers to the Vegetation Management Plan, an effort by Massport to
promote safer landing approaches and takeoff zones for its airplanes. The
plan calls for the cutting of trees and elimination of vegetation at the end
of Hanscom runways.

" I think we can be assured that Jim will be vigilant to make sure that
Massport honors all of it’s legal and regulatory obligations, every step of
the way, " said Winter. " His knowledge of the town’s past and present is
extensive. "

Mattes said the VMP needs to be spelled out, something Massport officials
have not yet done.

" This is a new decision and hasn’t been explained, " she said.

Mattes described the question of understanding Hanscom issues as a
complicated challenge, even for those with a technical or engineering
background. However, she points to what she said is the wise counsel of the
Environmental Subcommittee of the Hanscom Area Towns Committee, who advise
the membership of both HATS AND HFAC. Mattes said the group is well
respected, included by Massport officials.

" I think what’s hard for people to understand is that what seems to be
highly technical matters are the lynchpins to the potential changes in use
at Hanscom Field, " said Mattes. " It’s important we be sensitive to these
matters and due process. "

Changes at Hanscom

Issues related to Hanscom have only grown more complicated, Mattes said,
following the attacks of Sept. 11.

" The biggest concern is the concern for an insecure and unknown future, "
said Mattes. " What we see happening at Massport effects us locally. We don’
t know what the financial impacts are. "

One aspect that area airport watchdogs have eyed with suspicion is what
Mattes claims is a bogus reference by Massport that guidelines for the
airport are based on FAA requirements. She said the state agency has, in the
past, been out of bounds with its interpretation of FAA guidelines.

Mattes said one of the impacts of the recent terrorist attacks is the recent
moratorium placed on capital projects at the airport. She said HVAC members,
at their last meeting, sat across the table wishing they were back to
debating the same controversial issues, such as the fear that current and
potential airlines might expand their operations.

Now, the talk was all about security.

" Everybody is trying to understand the implications of Sept. 11, " said
Mattes. " Everything has been put on hold. Everything. "

Winter said security concerns need to be imperative at Hanscom, with its
proximity to the Air Force Base, more so than even at larger airports around
the country.

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