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FAA says no to 2nd community meeting on airport plan

4:42 PM Tue, Jul 07, 2009 | Permalink
By News staff

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By Barbara Polichetti
Journal staff writer

WARWICK, R.I. -- The Federal Aviation Administration has refused Mayor Scott Avedisian's request for a second community meeting on the proposed runway expansion at T.F. Green Airport, prompting Avedisian to call the denial "a slap in the face" to the city's residents.

Avedisian fired off a sharply-worded letter to the FAA Monday, a few days after receiving word that the FAA was going to meet with small groups throughout the community rather than try to hold another city-wide meeting.

More than 400 people flocked to the Inn at the Crossing on June 3 hoping to get more details on the proposed runway expansion and how it might affect them and their homes. But the meeting was roundly criticized for its lack of organization and a format that didn't offer an informational presentation but instead left residents to glean information from large maps and aerial photos and seek out the appropriate FAA representatives who were mingling in the audience.

Calling the session "disastrous" and "chaotic", Avedisian quickly called for the FAA to hold another meeting as Warwick residents weary of the specter of expansion at the airport without knowing enough details about the impact on their lives.

Different proposals to lengthen the main runway at Green have been on the drawing board for more than a decade, but none have made it through the requisite lengthy review process by the FAA, which has the final say on such matters.

Although there have been different proposals over the years, the one before the FAA now would expand the runway to the south, rather than the north as was called for in prior options.

FAA spokesman Jim Peters said Friday that he could not elaborate on the agency's decision not to hold another citywide meeting. He said he could only reference its recent letter to the city.

In that letter, Richard Doucette, FAA environmental program manager for New England, said a meeting is public meeting is planned for early winter after the environmental impact report is complete. Between now and then the FAA will try to meet with small community groups, he said.

"...Your denial is a slap in the face to the people of this City," Avedisian said this week's letter to the FAA. "By refusing to conduct another public hearing you have placed your desire to rush this EIS process down the throats of Warwick residents and businesses over the genuine need to conduct meaningful public hearings...."

Extra: An interactive map shows the proposed expansion and the area as it exists today