Improvements continue at Massena airport

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week 

MASSENA – Things continue to improve at the Massena Airport, with officials approving a handful of purchases and reimbursements at the most recent town board meeting on Nov. 17.

Officials approved the purchase of a QT Petroleum on demand self-serve fueling system at a cost of $20,570.

Taxpayers won’t pay a dime for the new system as the town will seek reimbursement through the CARES Act.

The new system meets all FAA purchase requirements, including being American made, according to Frank Diagostino, highway superintendent.

Officials also authorized the execution of a $59,000 Airport Rescue Grant agreement, which will bring additional funding to the airport.

As previously announced, officials had reached an agreement with Rifenburg Construction for work to be completed on the terminal apron rehabilitation.

Officials took action on the matter and authorized Town Supervisor Steve O’Shaughnessy to sign the agreement.

“We have a lot going on at the airport, including the $1 million grant. Frank and his team are doing a great job with everything,” he said.

Airport numbers continue to trend in a positive direction for Boutique Air with 421 individuals taking flights from the airport and 409 deplaning for a total of 830.

A total of 160 landings were completed at the airport last month.

Ongoing projects continue in various stages with the taxiway project recently being completed, along with the fencing upgrades that had been outlined in a previous meeting.

All snow removal equipment has been serviced, outfitted and inspected for the coming season as well, according to Diagostino.