New Bedford Airport Committee Meeting: Lease Extension, Tower Design & Snow Equipment - April 22, 2026
New Bedford Airport Committee Meeting: Lease Extension, Tower Design & Snow Equipment - April 22, 2026
On April 22, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM, the Special Committee on the Airport of the New Bedford City Council met at City Hall. Chair Councillor Leo Shoket presided, joined by Councillor Scott Pemberton and Councillor James Roy. The meeting focused on a lease extension for Sandpiper Air Incorporated, a status update from Airport Director Scott Service on capital projects including the air traffic control tower, terminal improvements, taxiway relocation, and snow removal equipment purchases. The meeting concluded at 7:06 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes & Absences: Letters of absence from Councillors Lopes and Oliver were read into the record and placed on file without objection. The committee also voted to receive and place on file communications related to the lease extension (Agenda Item 1) and Councillor Choquette's motion (Agenda Item 2).
Discussion Items
- Sandpiper Air Lease Extension (Agenda Item 1): Director Scott Service presented a proposed lease extension for Sandpiper Air Incorporated's Building 2 (the larger hangar and apron). The existing lease expires March 31, 2031. The new lease would be backdated to November 1, 2022, to run concurrently with the already-approved Sandpiper 1 lease. It includes an initial term of 30 years with two five-year options, contingent on a minimum $300,000 capital investment in the building approved by the Airport Commission. Rent is set at approximately $0.30 per square foot, adjusted every five years based on an independent appraisal or cumulative CPI increase. The lease omits fuel farm provisions (since Building 2 lacks a fuel farm) but retains environmental insurance requirements for fuel truck operations on aprons. Attorney David Goratowski noted a provision allowing Sandpiper to pay a franchise fee “up to 100 percent” of real estate taxes in lieu of taxes, which he found unclear as to why a lessee would choose that option. Director Service clarified that all tenants, including Sandpiper, currently pay taxes to the city, and the franchise fee clause is likely applicable to entities like Massport that own large land parcels and charge subtenants a fee. He confirmed that taxes will be paid either way.
- Airport Capital Projects Update (Agenda Item 2): Director Service provided a comprehensive briefing on ongoing and planned projects:
- Air Traffic Control Tower: Currently in negotiations with MassDOT Aeronautics and a designer for a 10% design phase. The concept image shown is not final; the tower will be approximately 54 feet to the roof and 84 feet to the top of an antenna. The design will determine foundation type (formed concrete vs. steel), roadway access (circular for emergency vehicles), and FAA-mandated minimum amenities. The tower site is off Aviation Way, an unapproved roadway near Jones Street and Lang Street. It is expected to promote development by bringing utilities to the area. New Bedford is the sixth busiest airport in Massachusetts, with operations surpassing Hyannis last year.
- Terminal Building: Early concept images shown; size and amenities not yet determined. The project was originally planned with a 95% state / 5% local cost share, and the city wants to avoid adding “wants” that could shift the split to 80/20.
- Taxiway Bravo Relocation: Currently in environmental permitting, with design next year and construction the year after. The pavement condition index (PCI) is approximately 50 PSI, indicating need for reconstruction. The relocation will move the taxiway closer to Runway 14/32 to meet modern standards, potentially opening up space for future development.
- Snow Removal Equipment: The airport is purchasing a new snowblower to replace a 1998 Oshkosh (no longer serviceable) and a new truck to replace a 1983 Chevrolet K-30. These purchases are funded 95% by FAA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) money, 2.5% state, 2.5% local. Total cost $1.1 million, with $27,500 local share paid by the airport.
- Overall Project Cost: Initial estimate for the full terminal and tower project was $70 million three years ago, now approximately $76 million due to inflation. The fire station/snow removal/maintenance building (RFSRE) portion, estimated at $16 million, has been deferred. Net project cost: $60 million. With a 95/5 state/local split, the city’s share would be about $3 million. Director Service emphasized that the 10% design will provide firmer cost estimates.
Key Outcomes
- Sandpiper Air Lease Extension: The committee voted to refer the lease order and attachments to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. Motion passed unanimously.
- Airport Briefing Received and Filed: The committee voted to receive and place on file Director Service’s presentation, with no further action required. Motion passed unanimously.
- Meeting Adjourned: The meeting ended at 7:06 PM.
Meeting Transcript
It was in Chicago. It was something like seven hundred fifty thousand square feet of like office space. He bought it dirt cheap during the second world war because nobody was don't use it. And then in nineteen fifty-five, he sold it for like he bought it for like five million dollars. He sold it for like nine million dollars. And that was nineteen fifty dollars. So that's like eight hundred million dollars. Okay. Good evening. We are here for the special committee on the airport. I am Councillor Leo Shoket, Chair. And tonight we have my colleagues in government, War Two City Councillor Scott Pemberton, and Counselor at large, Mr. James Roy. Thank you. No, this meeting is being live streamed and recorded. City Council and Committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under quick links, then meetings. Tonight's agenda. Yep. I have two letters to read into the record, Mr. Chair. This is from Councillor Lopes. I am writing to inform you that I am unable to attend tonight's committee meeting due to a work-related commitment. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues in the public aware of the reason for my absence. This letter is from Councillor Sean Oliver. I am writing to inform you that I am not able to attend tonight's committee meeting due to a prior commitment. Please read this letter into the record to make my colleagues in the public aware of the reason for my absence. Motion to receive and place on file. So moved. All those in favor say aye. The ayes have it. Number one. Okay. One is a communication, Mayor Mitchell to the City Council submitting the lease extension and the amendment on behalf of the New Bedford Airport Commission and Sand Piper Air Incorporated. Building two referred here on March 26, 2026. Written motion, Council Choquette requesting the airport manager's cost service appear before the special committee on the airport to discuss the status of continuing upgrades to the New Bedford Municipal Airport in FY 2024-2025. And that was referred here on the 13th of February 2025. One 1A and 2 are before you. Motion received in place on file. Both I so moved. All those in favor? Aye. Okay. Um so I'd like to start off by hearing from our airport director, Mr. Scott Service, if you could please come up. Thank you. Good e good evening, Mr. Director. Thank you for coming in. Um as a Ward One counselor and chair of of the airport committee. I I like to have you come in from time to time.
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