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Airport Board Update
Author: Rachael Brug, Staff Reporter

Airport Board Update

Rachael Brug

Staff Reporter

Townsend Airport Board members approved a new hangar lease, reviewed water well drilling quotes, and continued planning for the June 13 fly-in event during their April 15 meeting.

The meeting opened with public comment from Parker Chadwick, who told the board he had applied for Lot 13 and brought additional information requested by the board. Members said the next step was a completed lease. Chadwick provided the document and stayed for later discussion.

The board approved claims that included $224 for fly-in postage and $43,911 for road mix gravel. Members discussed that the expenses are being paid from the tax increment finance (TIF) fund and are expected to be reimbursed when grant funds are received.

For a new water well, Airport Board member Rob Bargatze said he standardized three bids to make them easier to compare. A1 Drilling proposed $55 per foot for an estimated 150-foot well ($8,250) plus a pump and in-well pressure tank system ($7,898), for a total of $16,148. Old Town Drilling quoted $70 per foot for an estimated 140 feet ($9,800) plus a pump and pressure system ($8,081), totaling $17,881. Western Water Wells quoted $50 per foot but did not include casing; after adjusting for drilling and casing, the estimate was $11,857, plus a pump system ($19,809.72) and a pressure tank estimate ($1,453), totaling $21,262.72.

Members discussed the pros and cons of in-well versus external pressure tanks, and Western's recommendation to avoid in-well tanks in favor of a heated enclosure. The board also noted a separate fire suppression system quote of about $37,999.88, but said the timing is not urgent. The board voted to forward the well information to engineer Lance Bowser of Robert Peccia & Associates for review and recommendations.

Chadwick later outlined plans for a 44-by-40-foot, stick-built hangar with steel siding, slab-on-grade construction, and a diamond door with a 40-foot by 10-foot opening. The board discussed fire code requirements and permitting, including state electrical and building permits and FAA height approval. Under the lease terms discussed, Chadwick has 180 days to start construction and 180 days to complete it, with lease payments beginning July 1. The board approved the lease for Lot 13/Hangar 13.

In fly-in updates, members discussed signage, traffic coordination with the sheriff's office, and the possibility of a Bridger Aerospace speaker focused on firefighting. Engineer updates from Robert Peccia & Associates included an airport layout plan in final review, an instrument approach pending conditions, and a beacon repair expected to be mostly salvageable.

The board also approved up to $2,000 for an apron area for agricultural operators, based on a proposal from Broadwater County Public Works Director T.J. Gravely and subject to FAA approval. Members discussed drainage and a potential septic conflict that will require coordination with the county sanitarian.

The meeting concluded with a fuel pricing update: the current price is $6.38 per gallon, based on an estimated $0.83 margin over wholesale, with 3,900 gallons in the tank and sales exceeding projections due to improved reliability.