Biddeford Airport leads to Heated Debate

Biddeford, ME – Discussion about closing the Biddeford City Airport has left community members protesting an end of the airport while pilots take a stand in keeping the runway open and available.

The debate began years ago when the airport began enforcing federal safety regulations.

Tom Bryand, the airport manager, said “We have pedestrians, motorcycles, four-wheelers (and ATVs all using it. They just use it as a backyard and that’s against the regulations.”

The Federal Aviation Administration enforced no-trespassing rules at the airport, but community members ignored the protocol.

Trees were also being cut down for safety reasons which led to more disagreement.

“Paul Archambault, the chairman of Save Our Little Airport (SOLA), which has now since been differently named, has lived near the airport for 24 years.

“Sure this started out as a fight about trees and public access,” said Archambault. “But it’s not just about that anymore. Not it’s about money, too.”

Community members are in favor of the airport shutting down because of money.

Residents of Biddeford are supporting the airport through their taxes and it’s becoming a hassle.

“Once we started looking at the airport, we came to the conclusion that there is no financial benefit at its existing size and capacity. It continues to be a tax burden,” said Archambault.

Next door neighbor to the airport, Roland Pelletier, agrees.

“The money is the biggest thing. If it was self-supporting, fine. Let it go on,” said Pelletier.

There is an issue whether or not the airport is financially stable enough to stay open.

From the sales of gas, property taxes and land leases, the airport takes in about $56,000 annually.

Costs, however, are high.

According to the city manager’s office, maintenance, utilities and improvements in recent years have been as high as $72,000.

Not everyone in Biddeford has the same thoughts about shutting the airport down.

Phyllis Landry, a private pilot who keeps a single-engine Cessna Sky Pilot 180 at the airport, loves the availability of the runway.

Landry said, “I love this airport. If I couldn’t fly out of here I’d have to go to Stanford or Portland.”

This airport seems to be a home for some and upsetting changes have already been made.

“I’ve been flying out of this airport for 25 years. I’ve seen lots of changes. Like we used to have a nice little restaurant here,“ said Landry.

The airport is a great resource for the economy.

Businesses are able to fly in through the Biddeford Airport.

“It’s a great resource,” said Landry. “I know business people who fly in here all the time.”

No one can seem to make a decision, especially the City Council.

John Bubier, the Biddeford city manager, said “The City Council really hasn’t come down on one side of the issue or the other. I think they’d prefer to have the voters settle this one.

Whether or not the airport will remain open is not an easy decision to make, but money is becoming an issue for lots of people.

“Times are tough in the economy. We can’t afford to support operations that don’t support themselves,” said Pelletier.

“These are tough times, and that’s the time we need to be tough.”