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State law reference: Airport commissions for cities, MGL c.
90, § 51E et seq.
The Airport Commission is hereby established, and shall consist
of five members who shall be residents of the City.
[12-12-67]
The Mayor shall, in the month of February, appoint a member or members, of the airport commission to serve for a period of three years, beginning on the first day of March following his or their appointment until his or their successor shall be duly appointed and qualified. When the commission is first established under section 2-108, the members of the commission, under this section, shall be appointed for terms of such length and so arranged that the term of one member will expire in 1964; the terms of two members will expire in 1965; and, the terms of the remaining two members will expire in 1966; and their successor or successors shall be appointed for a term of three years.
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State law reference: See G.L. C. 90, § 51E.
The members of the airport commission shall annually choose
one of their members as Chairman, vice-Chairman and secretary. A majority
of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business. The commission may make rules and regulations for its own
government and in relation to its officers as it may deem expedient
and proper.
The airport commission shall have under its control and jurisdiction,
North Adams Airport also known as Harriman Airport and any land in
extension thereof hereafter acquired; and, any other land or lands
hereafter acquired for airport purposes.
(a)
Leasing property. The airport commission may let or lease any airport
or airports under its jurisdiction or any part thereof, for a period
not to exceed 20 years. Any lease that exceeds 20 years must have
the approval of the Mayor and City Council to be effective.
(b)
Acquisition of land. The commission, whenever appropriation has been
made therefor, may take property by eminent domain under General Laws,
Chapter 79 or 80A, or may acquire property by purchase, lease or otherwise,
both within or without the City's territorial limits for airport purposes,
or acquire such easements in airport hazards outside the boundaries
of an airport or airport site as may be necessary for the removal
or the prevention of the establishment of any airport hazard.
(c)
Entering private land. For the purpose of making surveys or examinations
relating to any proposed taking by eminent domain, such commission
or its authorized agent may make reasonable entry upon land.
(d)
Rental contracts. The commission shall determine the charges of rentals
for the use of any properties, facilities, installations, landing
fees, concessions, uses and services and shall determine the terms
and conditions under which contracts may be executed by the commission
on behalf of the City.
(e)
Expenditure of funds. The commission is hereby authorized to expend
any funds granted to or received from any source or appropriated by
the City for airport purposes.
(f)
Contracts for construction, improvement, etc., of airports. The commission
may make contracts for the maintenance, operation, construction, enlargement
and improvement of the airport or airports under its jurisdiction
pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth and the City Charter governing
the making of like contracts, excepting that if federal moneys are
used in financing any maintenance, operations, construction, enlargements
or improvements, the commission may act in the manner prescribed by
federal authority acting under the law of the United States and any
rules or regulations made thereunder, notwithstanding any other law
of the commonwealth or charter to the contrary.
(g)
Airport rules and regulations. Subject to approval by the Massachusetts
Aeronautics Commission, the commission may adopt rules and regulations
for the use of municipal airports or for the safety of the public
upon or beyond the limits of the airport under its control, whether
such airport facilities are within or without territorial limits of
the City.
(h)
Airport approach regulations. The commission shall serve as administrative
agency under section 40E of chapter 90 of the General Laws if the
City Council adopt airport approach regulations under section 40A
et seq. of chapter 90 of the General Laws.
The airport commission may appoint an airport manager who shall
be qualified by general management experience and aeronautical knowledge,
and he shall be the executive officer of the commission. The commission
may also appoint an assistant airport manager who shall be qualified
as aforesaid. Subject to appropriation by the City Council, the commission
may appoint such other officers and employees as its work may require
and shall fix salaries of all officers and employees appointed or
employed by it.
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See G.L., C. 90, § 51E.
