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September 5, 2001
Nancy D. Laney, Aviation Division Dear Ms. Laney; The Town of Greenville would like to convey to you our eagerness to begin work on two major projects in the near future. We are currently scheduled for state funding for an obstruction removal project to commence in FY2002, as well as for engineering work for reconstruction of our main runway in FY2004. We understand that there is federal and local participation involved in these projects, and we wish to convey to you that we are ready to begin these projects, with your help and assistance. The obstruction removal project involves timber harvesting and brush removal activities around the airport. In the past, the state has assisted Greenville with brush and tree removal activities. To ensure that these areas to be cleared this time do not grow back, we would like to use some of the funds allocated for this project to level and grade the ends of the runways to allow for bushhogging of new growth in the future. In the past, the ends were bulldozed, leaving roots, stumps, and ruts which make mowing or bushhogging nearly impossible. I suspect that the $85,000 allocated to this clearing project may be more than is necessary to clear the trees and brush elsewhere at the airport, once stumpage values are considered. If possible, we would like to perform some earthwork at the runway approaches, to allow for easier maintenance in the future. The preconstruction engineering assigned for the main runway reconstruction will be very helpful to us as we work with the Department of Environmental Protection in meeting there requirements for maximum impermeable surface area at our facility. The sooner engineering plans could be devised to show the reduction in impermeable surface area within the main runway through reconstruction, the sooner we can demonstrate to the DEP that hangar development can be completed without exceeding the "three-acre limit" for impermeable surface. In regard to the actual reconstruction, we are working with both Piscataquis and Somerset Counties to devise a cost-sharing plan to assist in the local match for the airport. We also would like to incorporate the Air National Guard into the construction aspect of this project. The sooner we have preliminary plans for the reconstruction, the sooner we can request their specific services. I have requested previously from you help in acquiring snow removal equipment for the Greenville Municipal Airport, as well as funding for a storage building to house it. I did receive your letter of confirmation that Greenville is on the list for this type of equipment. Can you tell me more about when or if this request may be granted? Any insight into the status of these pending projects would be helpful. Specifically, can you advise me how the Town should proceed with the obstruction removal project? Can we write our own RFP and hire a contractor with the State's blessing to begin cutting this fall or winter? Please let me know. Sincerely; John Simko Enclosures CC Board of Selectmen |