Trees still a concern at Hartsville Airport
By JIM FAILE
The Hartsville Airport Advisory Committee held its first meeting in three months Wednesday after regular meetings in March and April could not proceed because of the lack of a quorum and May’s meeting was cancelled.
The committee picked up where it left off at its last meeting in February with the issue of tree removal. Committee members asked airport manager and fixed base operator (FBO) Russell Fauver to approach the owners of two pieces of property near the airport in an effort to encourage the owners to remove some tall pine trees that are threatening to encroach into air space used by air craft. The trees, about a dozen, are located at the north end of the airport near the end of the runway.
Chairman Lee Gardner said in February that no further improvement projects can proceed at the airport until the tree issue is resolved.
Committee members said one of the parcels of land is up for sale and said potential buyers need to be made aware of the tree issue and of county regulations regarding trees around airports.
Gardner said the state in some cases will provide up to 75 percent of the funding for clear cutting of trees around airports and said some federal funds may also be available to assist with the removal.
The committee also agreed to post signs offering a $100 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for vandalism at the airport.
Committee member Alex Yarborough said someone has been throwing rocks into the hangars at airplanes.
Fauver said vandalism has also resulted in damage to some of the runway lights at the facility. He estimated the cost of replacing those damaged lights and others that need replacing or repair at about $5,000.
Members also discussed the need for a new hangar roof. The committee has received a base bid of almost $17,000 for a roof with some optional additions that could put the cost closer to $20,000. The committee took no action on the bid.
The building’s current roof leaks, particularly around the several skylights in it, officials said.
Interim City Manager Vern Myers said the city has $68,913 for the airport in the new $7.3 million general fund budget approved by Hartsville City Council on Tuesday.
According to the monthly activity report provided by Fauver, 67 aircraft visited the Hartsville Airport in May, including four jets, five twin-engine craft, one turboprop craft, one helicopter and 56 single-engine planes. The facility saw 82 arrivals and 81 departures during the month, according to the report.
The report also points to some needed repairs to the airport’s terminal building. Windows are about to fall out, window facings are rotting and need replacing and the building’s foundation is weakening, the report says.