CAA: GA News, "Massachusetts airport looking for cash"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Monday, March 11, 2002

Airport looking for cash 
By Nicole Simmons
The MetroWest Daily News


MARLBOROUGH - Marlboro Airport, privately owned by Sandra and Robert
Stetson, hopes to tap state cash to replace 30-year-old pavement around
the runways and parking area. 

Robert Stetson said Friday he has applied for a grant from the
Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission to reconstruct the aircraft parking
apron.

According to Stetson, the commission could reimburse about 80 percent of
construction costs which could run as high as $140,000. In order to get
the grant, however, the commission wants to make sure the airport is
supported by the community.

Stetson has asked the mayor and City Council to write a letter of
recommendation. The mayor has forwarded a letter for the City Council to
review at its meeting tonight.

"The airport adds to the many recreational opportunities available in
this area as well as enhancing the businesses in this area by offering
another means of transportation to the region, light aircraft," Mayor
William Mauro wrote.

Stetson said the commission offers grants, even to privately owned
airports like his, to support airport safety. It wants to know if the
community is pressuring the airport to close before giving money.

"Airports are like nuclear reactors," Stetson said. "Nobody wants it in
their back yard."

If Marlboro Airport gets the grant, work will start May 1, Stetson said.
It shouldn't disrupt runway use too much, perhaps closing the runway
briefly if construction vehicles are close to the strip. The project
should take about three months.

When funding permits, Stetson said the airport will continue to upgrade
the facilities which originally opened in 1922.


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