Editor’s note: This letter was sent to Addison County’s representatives in the Legislature and to Sen. Tim Ashe, who heads the Senate Finance Committee.
The state of Vermont is proposing an expansion to the East Middlebury Airport and there are many questions that have not been addressed. Our concern is related to the protection of the town aquifer as well as the effect it has on the surrounding community including noise pollution, water quality, light pollution, property values and overall quality of life for the residences and businesses located in the airport vicinity.
Funding for this expansion is under way at the state level and we want to address the issues now and not after the funding is approved. A meeting with concerned residences was scheduled with the town selectboard and Guy Rouelle, state aeronautics administrator for the AOT, in March but was postponed until May, which is after the funding approval date. This postponement is a major concern to many people that will be affected by this expansion.
We ask that the funding approval be put on hold until the full scope and environmental and social ramifications can be addressed.
Richard and Isabelle Terk
East Middlebury