Airport Commission | March 13, 2025

The meeting covered operational, financial matters, including budget approvals (5% increase), lease agreements, promotion of an internal candidate to Airport Manager, adoption of a Strategic Plan, and discussion about the installation of a tent to accommodate increased passenger activity due to added flights.

Watch the meeting. AI supported summary below. Corrections welcome; see contact page.

Key Points

• Personnel Changes: The meeting marked the departure of the Airport Manager, with Matthew Elia appointed as acting Airport Manager (March 14 - May 8) and subsequently promoted to Airport Manager (May 9 onwards). Discussion included the decision to not conduct an external search for a new manager, despite some commissioners' preferences for a wider search and candidate pool.
• Financial Matters: The commission reviewed and approved the FY2026 operating budget (a 5% increase over FY2025), various lease amendments (Island Cafe & Grill and Marine Lumber - new 20-year land lease with Marine Lumber Operator, Inc. will allow for bank funding requirements for facility modifications and upgrades), and a contract for security fence installation. The budget increase reflects factors such as salary increases, healthcare costs, and increased activity at the airport.
• Infrastructure Projects: Significant discussion focused on the installation of a temporary post-security tent to accommodate increased passenger activity due to added flights. This included detailed discussion of the design and cost of the tent and associated security fence. The project's cost was higher than initially anticipated due to the addition of air conditioning and higher-quality materials.
• Strategic Planning: The commission approved the Cape Cod Gateway Airport "MVP" Strategic Plan.

Editor's Note: The Strategic Plan that the commission adopted was not included in the agenda material for this meeting or in recent meeting material. No Commission minutes have been posted since October 20204, in which such Strategic Plan may have been included. The Strategic Plan does not appear to be posted on the Airport's webpage under Strategic Plan. If the commission post its Strategic Plan, we will summarize it in a future Airport Commission meeting summary.

• Public Comments: Town Councilor Betty Ludtke expressed appreciation for the Airport Manager's contributions to the airport.

Highlights

• Detailed discussions regarding the financial implications and logistical aspects of the temporary tent and security fence installation due to added flights.
• The commission's approach to addressing PFAS contamination was evident in the budget allocation for related consulting services in the amount of $206,500.