Wisdom of town owning airport resurfaces

DOVER-FOXCROFT – The logic of the town operating an airport that has seen little growth has been questioned periodically at budget times over the past several years.

The issue surfaced again Monday, when Selectman Lynn Vernon noted that the town’s budget advisory committee last year suggested that the board look into the wisdom of the town owning and maintaining the airport. It was the feeling of the budget advisory committee that “the town can’t be everything to everybody,” he said. One of the main arguments, according to Vernon, is that Dover-Foxcroft has a fine regional hospital that serves surrounding towns while Dexter has a good regional airport.

The grass-and-dirt airport costs Dover-Foxcroft nearly $10,000 a year to run, of which $4,100 is for insurance, Town Manager Owen Pratt said. He said the ledge on the property and the fact that the water tower is so close to the runway prohibits some improvements. “The reality is that probably the airport is going to be what it is,” he said, of the future. But he added, “I would hate to see the town dispose of the land to save a few dollars a year.”

Local pilots who attended Monday’s meeting told the board that about six pilots use the airport regularly but a lot more pilots, including businesspeople and camp owners, also use the facility. On average, about 80 airplanes land at the facility a year, according to Brian Kelly, airport manager. “It’s a small airport that doesn’t create a lot of traffic, yet when it’s needed it’s there; I think it’s the best of both worlds,” he said.

With no action or recommendations made about the airport, the selectmen focused their attention to a request from Tim Robinson for a land swap to allow him to build a 54-by-43-foot building. Robinson, owner of Dover True Value, has requested to swap a piece of property he owns in the rear of his store for a similar piece the town owns. The swap must be approved by residents at a special town meeting, but first Robinson’s proposal must be approved by the planning and appeals boards.

Since Monday’s meeting was Pratt’s last because of his retirement, town officials presented him with a framed proclamation that cited his faithful devotion for 26 years and his dedication to the community. They also proclaimed Feb. 27, 2004, his last workday, as Owen Pratt Day.

Humbled, Pratt said he was very appreciative of the sentiment. “I feel very fortunate to have worked for the town for as long as I have,” he said.