Dexter looks to replace airport terminal building

DEXTER — Despite higher than anticipated construction costs, the town of Dexter continues to work on a project to replace the terminal building and improve the site at the Dexter Regional Airport.

The council agreed in October to a $25,000 purchase and sales agreement with the Dexter Aero Club for its terminal building. The transaction will enable a new 800-square-foot structure to replace the existing 50-year-old, 200-square-foot terminal building. The replacement is part of a grant-funded project for the new facility, which includes reconstruction of the access road.

The Dexter Regional Airport was awarded $760,000 in federal funds over the summer to replace the current structure that does not meet the standards for a basic general aviation terminal building. It also does not meet federal ADA requirements or energy efficiency standards. The new terminal will enhance and meet all of these requirements.

When asked about the project during a regular council meeting on Dec. 8, Town Manager Trampas King said the committee met earlier in the day to discuss project bids, which all came in high. Meeting with the lower bidder, the group looked at potential cuts to the project to bring it in line with funding sources.

“Our grant won’t cover the whole thing,” King said. He said there are other grant opportunities and monies that could be used.

“We’re just looking through some numbers right now,” King said. “Now we feel we can do everything with the cuts.”

The town manager said engine heaters for outside the building and some paving work has been taken out, for a savings of around $300,000. King said driveway and parking paving is essential and is still included.

When asked about project cost increases, King said contractors have subcontractors do portions of the work, which adds up. He also mentioned a varying of asphalt prices with this being higher for a large-scale construction project vs. a small driveway for a residence. Given the federal grant requirements, materials must be American-made and there is also the varying of the market with items being ordered months in advance.

The town manager said all five project bids were within 10-15 percent of each other.

The town and Dexter Aero Club needed to come to an agreement for the group to move out of its building so the structure could be demolished to make way for the new terminal building.

The Dexter Aero Club rents space at its hangar, and would continue to do so at a to-be-built structure at the airport. The council agreed to a 10-year lease at $100 annual rate with the group for an airport site.

A sum of $25,000 was agreed upon for the purchase, with the council authorizing the transfer of this amount from an economic development reserve account to the airport property buildings account. 

In other business, the council agreed to place two proposed ordinance changes on the January agenda.

The first would adjust the overnight winter parking ban timeline from Dec. 1 to the first snowfall. King said snowfall would be defined as a plowable amount.

He said during a storm on Nov. 15 a resident was asked to move their vehicle off the street, but was not legally required to do so with the ordinance specifying Dec. 1 as the start of the ban.

The other ordinance change pertains to a fee for foreclosure affidavits. If a bank is looking to foreclose on a property, it will ask the town to take a look to make sure the dwelling is indeed abandoned. Dexter does not charge a fee for this service, but other towns do, such as Pittsfield at $100.

Last month a $50 fee was agreed upon by the council to move forward with foreclosure affidavits fees. This money would go into the general fund.

When asked in November, King said property reviews are only conducted a few times a year for financial institutions.

In his report, King thanked everyone who helped with the previous week’s holiday events. He said Santa Claus was at the Town Hall on Friday, a craft fair took place at the building on Saturday, and Sunday featured the annual Holiday Light Parade.

“It’s fun to see everybody involved and the kids smiling and laughing,” he said.

King also said with winter approaching, he is asking residents to keep an eye on their neighbors. Should they notice anyone who may be in need of assistance, then please reach out to the town.

For at least a trial basis, the council will meet an hour earlier with the Thursday, Jan. 12 session scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Councilors will see how this goes and adjust if need be.