TOWN OF WASHINGTON
TOWN BOARD MEMBERS, MSA, WBOZ. AND THE PUBLIC
AUGUST 21, 2007 7:00P.M.
RUTLEDGE ROOM IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER
MINUTES
A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER - Chairman Jessen called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Jessen introduced to the public Mike Hinz from MSA, Gayle Stern and Gordon Fleury both from BOA.
B. INFORMATION MEETING concerning runway 2/20 “99” alignment of Washington Island Airport. Mike Hinz gave a brief history of the “Carr and 99” runways he than addressed questions from the audience. The first question asked for clarification of what “easements” mean.
He began by explaining land acquisition first.
• Fee simple – Airport owns the land
• Avigation Easement –Property owner still owns the land and airport buys air rights above a certain elevation on property owned by an individual that currently has structures or habitation (trees) already on it. This would give the airport the right to cut trees down in order to keep the air clear. Property owner can still have buildings and habitation but must stay under a certain elevation.
• Clear Zone Easement – Property owner still owns the land but the airport owns down to the ground. Because the property is closer to the runway. If it is a clear zone easement property owner cannot build on the property.
Mr. Hinz addressed another question from an audience member involving the costs to the Town of Washington regarding this project. The funding as it currently exists is 95.5% Federal Funding, 2 ½% State of Wisconsin Funding and 2 ½% local (Town) funding. The Town’s 2 ½% can come in various forms and fashions. Due to the donation of 10 ½ acres of land to the airport - the airport in turn will use this donation of land towards their 2 ½% which is more than the Town’s share in the value of the land.
Proposed tentative schedule of work – if everything goes according to schedule construction could start late in 2008 and be available for use in 2009. Due to the turf, the runway needs to “winter” to be ready for use in 2009.
C. ADJOURNMENT - Motion by Jessen seconded by Sorensen to adjourn. Motion carried.