Biddeford, Maine will vote June 4 at the general election on the future of the Biddeford City Airport. The opted closing left to referendum is the result of the airports financial welfare.
Grossing $56,000 in revenue from gas, property taxes, and land leases, the airport has recently become a burden. The city manager John Bubier’s number for this revenue falls short of meeting cost requirements documented in city records. The past two years have brought no profit for the airport costing $72,000 in 2007 and $60,000 in 2008.
The closing of the airport would terminate a home for 47 planes based there, about half of which are owned by corporations. The 126 acres of land is worth $1.6 million.
“The money is the biggest thing,” said Biddeford resident Roland Pelletier, “If it was self-supporting, fine. Let it go on.”
Pelletier has lived next to the airport for 25 years and being a pilot himself, finds no reason for the tax dependent airport to still be around. He acknowledged the weak economy and responded with advice.
“I hope that the referendum will educate people,” said Pelletier, “Times are tough in the economy… and that’s the time we need to be tough.”
Another pilot, Phyllis Landry, privately owns a plane she keeps at the Biddeford City Airport. The longtime frequenter of the airport understood its burden on taxpayers. She expressed he love and need for the airport.
“I’ve been flying out of this airport for 25 years,” said Landry, “I’ve seen lots of changes… If I couldn’t fly out of here I’d have to go to Sanford or Portland.”
Landry shared a story about a failed takeoff about five years ago due to the presence of neighborhood children on the airport grounds. The children ran in front of her plane as she was about to take off. This problem was an issue years before the recent referendum.
“We have pedestrians, motorcycles, four-wheelers (and) ATVs all using it,” said Airport manager Tom Bryand, “they just use it as a backyard ant that’s against regulations.”
Paul Archambault, Chairman of Get Rid of Our Little Airport (GROOPLA), lives in a house at the end of the runway for now his 25th year. Archambault regarded the Airport’s lack of “financial benefit” and stated that “it continues to be a tax burden”.
“We’d like to see it shut down for good,” said Archambault before suggesting replacements such as industrial parks and wind farms.
City manager Bubier stated that the City Council has not chosen a side. The fate of the Biddeford City Airport is in the hands of the voters.
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