ORANGE — The Orange Municipal Airport’s new manager has asked for Town Hall’s support in hunting down funding to remediate asbestos where the airport plans to build T-hangars.
Adam Klumpp sent Town Administrator Matthew Fortier an email to explain “an unexpected obstacle that threatens to delay or derail” the T-hangar development project at the airport. He explained that hazardous material found in remnants of an older structure at the proposed build site must be removed, at an approximate cost of $137,500, to allow for the construction of six new T-hangars, where aircraft are stored.
“These units are critical to meeting the sustained demand for aircraft storage,” Klumpp wrote, “and, once built, each will generate a direct revenue stream [through rental fees] into the town’s General Fund.”
The warrant for the Jan. 12 Special Town Meeting includes an article that would appropriate money for the abatement work.
“Everything is lined up for this, but they hadn’t budgeted for [asbestos remediation],” Fortier said.
According to Klumpp, the hazardous materials were discovered during soil testing in October.
“My understanding is that this issue is very surface-level, but we still have to be careful [about] cleaning it out appropriately,” he explained, though Federal Aviation Administration funds that were secured for the construction cannot be used for remediation of hazardous materials.
According to Fortier’s most up-to-date information, the T-hangar design will likely cost $267,000. Ninety-five percent of this will be funded by the FAA, with matching 2.5% state and local contributions. Construction is expected to run $1.58 million, with 81% of the cost funded by the FAA, a 15% match from the state and a 4% match from Orange.
Fortier explained the town is chipping in about $63,000.
“I know it’s not a small chunk of money, but it’s going to be a revenue source directed to the town when we’re done,” Klumpp said.
He explained that hangar rental fees go directly into the town’s General Fund, and more hangars will bring in more pilots to store their airplanes on site and buy fuel at the airport. The 30 existing hangars on the airport’s property are privately owned, with property taxes going to the town.
“It just makes us an asset to the town,” he said. “I get calls every week for people looking for hangar space. There is a strong demand out here in New England — especially this time of year. I don’t know anybody with available hangars right now.”