On Wednesday, December 5, a meeting took place at the Candlelight Restaurant in Kerhonkson to discuss future development plans for the Joseph Y. Resnick Airport. In attendance were Sean Bray, Airport Engineering Manager for Passero Associates, the Rochester, New York firm contracted by the Town of Wawarsing, Lisa Cheung, Airport Planner, Michael Churchill, Albany/Capital District Manager (both with Passero Associates), James Dolaway, out-going Town of Wawarsing Supervisor, Ed Jennings, Town Supervisor Elect, and Berdella Smith, Town Secretary.

When asked if there were plans to develop Resnick into a commercial airport, Sean Bray replied, "Not in the cards, not feasible. You can have business at the airport with unscheduled service. It is intended to be a safe general aviation airport. There are no plans to extend the runway."

A Brief History Of Joseph Y. Resnick Airport The Joseph Y. Resnick airport was originally constructed in 1968 by the Resnick brothers - Harry, Louis, and Joe - in conjunction with their business, Channelmaster. In 1977, the Resnicks gave a large parcel of land that included the airport to the New York State Department of Correctional Facilities. The airport was considered excess property by the state and offered for sale. The town of Wawarsing obtained federal and state assistance to purchase the airport and ownership was transferred in 1988. In 2000, the town assumed responsibility for operation of the airport. Prior to 2000 a "fixed base" operator had operated the airport on behalf of the town.

Supervisor Dolaway indicated that, "small cargo is possible if there was manufacturing in the area."

Bray added that, "Hangar expansion was all done with private money. Taxiway extension is contingent with the FAA. Some people are interested in more hangars. It is private investment with revenue back to the town."

Lisa Cheung added, "Runway length is the biggest constraint to larger planes landing and the runway is not large enough for that aircraft."

Who Is Responsible For The Airport?

"The Town manages the airport. No fixed base operations will work there. We just plow and cut the grass. Dave Gibson is a part time employee and also works for the Napanoch Water District. He is always reachable by cell phone," said Dolaway.

In response to the suggestion that past development of the airport has not gone well, Dolaway explained, "We had another engineering firm (C&S Engineers), but had headaches and only one project got done. We sent a strong letter (and let them go)." Dolaway said that he worked closely with Dwight Coombe and sat through interviews with new firms and picked Passero because they are a general aviation company.

"The previous company only worked on large airports," said Dolaway. "This company does all the bond [loan] paperwork saving the town a lot of money and time. The new taxiway cost under one million and they saved the town between three to five thousand dollars. Unlike C&S, Passero confers with inspectors and we've saved $50,000, plus bond fees."

Dolaway added that the paperwork is still there but simpler: "We make money from the contractor. The previous contractor, who extended the taxiway, built a building to run operations in. Now with Passero, they will lease our town building with phone, heat and restrooms, saving between $10,000 and 15,000."

According to Dolaway, a year ago, the town asked for approval of three things and got two of them — a sheriff station and the terminal building. Applying to NYDOT, the town "spent $20,000 to get a $600,000 building budget," explained Dolaway, adding that the Town wants to remove the tendency for people to use River Road next to the airport as a drag strip and that any security concerns should be satisfied by the presence of sheriff's office.

"The FAA spends thousands on commercial buildings," explained Bray, who said all concerned are "working on securing the general aviation buildings and it is 100% funded by the state. A terminal building is a standard component for a general aviation airport. Now when a pilot flies in he has nowhere to go. He sits in his plane (to stay warm and dry). There will be office space if a flight instructor wants to teach, bathrooms and a conference room."

Bray implied that people will fly to meet to have a conference in that room, as well.

When asked how big a building it will be, Bray replied, "We have no grant yet. We will be meeting with the sheriff's department to see what they would need and we have an idea of what the pilots needs are. It will be about 3-4,000 square feet."

Bray added that there will be a public access portion to the new development, saying that "the sheriff's part will be secured but the public part will be determined by the town. It will be located on the south side of the existing hangers."

Airport As Economic Asset

Dwight Coombe, a local pilot and President of Sprague and Killeen Insurance, has acted in a voluntary advisory capacity to the town on the airport development. He believes the airport is an asset to the town that has potential to draw more people to the area.

Coombe said, "I have a business in the town that employs 12 people plus. I use a small aircraft for business travel to meet with companies and clients throughout the northeast. We go as far south as South Carolina. Being involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Noonday Club and other activities, etcetera, I try to be involved and be a good influence at all times. With that said, previous and current town boards have asked for my input on airport business. I have offered suggestions and feel that at least some of my input has been taken seriously and hopefully made a positive difference."

Coombe added, "Most people don't realize that much business takes place throughout our town and county from people that fly into our airport. Business people come to take care of whatever business they have in the area. When they are here, they are buying fuel, dining, play golf, going to the theater…. Many people fly into Ellenville to buy fuel and in many cases walk over the ShopRite Plaza and get something to eat. Local business people like myself buy fuel, pay rent and run our businesses here and depend on the airport for economical and time efficient transportation to our other business destinations — which brings money back to our area."

Coombe foresees the possibility that there would be a public lobby area that would have large picture windows facing the airport and ridge. He feels that it is also likely that there could be a public area just outside this glass lobby but inside the airport with picnic tables available so that the public can come watch airplanes and enjoy this great valley.

Bray added, "The pilot side of the building would give pilots of business aircraft a place to use rest rooms, do their flight planning and rest where there is heat/air-conditioning. This will certainly make Ellenville more inviting for business travelers."

"This new building could certainly make Ellenville more inviting for business travelers." said Coombe. "There would be bulletin board listing all the places to eat, recreate, etc. Word will spread and more people will come to Ellenville and invest/spend their money here. This facility (airport) is a town asset we need to celebrate. I believe on an average year it is paying for itself better than any other department in the town. This will improve over the next year or so. The airport is a vehicle in which business comes to our town, and helps some local businesses keep their businesses here and still reach out to far away communities to do business."

Dolaway offered that there will be no recreational use of the airport grounds for the public and that the fence was put up for "security reasons, to keep deer, snow mobiles and four wheelers off the runway. The newest part was put up four years ago." "Deer are a common issue, the number one hazard for aircraft — during take-off and landing," added Bray.

In response to complaints that the current buildings have spoiled the view of the mountain, Bray replied, "The town is very aware. Hanger buildings need to go down toward the Shrade end of the runway. No more will be built next to the [current] hangers. Unfortunately, there is no room on the other side of the runway."

Dolaway added that, with the new taxiway, there will be room to put in more buildings. He added that the Town cost is between "$25,000 to $50,000 a year to maintain."

Coombe feels that what is important is that, "over the past six years or so, the town has been able to make improvements to the airport with very little local tax payer money. The fact is that since the town has been selling aviation fuel, collecting aircraft tie down rents and hangar lease payments, the town has been able to pay for maintenance and the local share of improvements. This year with the taxiway extension (a huge safety improvement) the town will have a larger share to come up with, however when averaged out, the airport is holding its own with little local tax payer money."

Bray agreed, "Construction people bring money to the town. It is a great thing to get a construction project. It is not just to bring money in, but safety is a top concern. People will not want to use the airport if they have to sit in their plane. It is a great pitch for the Chamber."

Dolaway added, "It is an asset to the community. We are 20 miles from the nearest interstate. Hydro and Shrade were locally grown businesses. This will draw business from outside the area."

As far as a timeline for development, Bray said, "By next year, you will have a first class general aviation airport."

COMMENTS about this article (87)