Law Gives Voters a Voice on Airport Funding

Thanks to a new state law, East Hampton taxpayers will have the right to force a vote on whether the town should accept money for East Hampton Airport from the Federal Aviation Administration, which imposes rules on how airports function as a condition of providing funding.

Questions regarding whether to take F.A.A. grants have long been central to community discussion. The current policy is to decline further F.A.A. money as the restrictions related to prior grants expire. The policy is intended to allow more local control over the airport and reduce aircraft noise. 

The new law would allow a town board to hold a referendum before deciding whether to accept F.A.A. grants as well as allow voters to force a permissive referendum should a board vote to do so. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed the legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. and Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, this week. 

The new law will give “the community a voice” in these town decisions, according to a press release from the legislators. With a two-decade life span, the aviation grants can have “a long-term impact on the community when they are accepted,” the press release says.

“I am pleased the governor signed this measure which puts the decision-making power regarding F.A.A. funds back into the hands of the community,” Assemblyman Thiele said in the release. “Town board members have terms that last only four years. Therefore, it’s important that voters also have a say on these agreements that will impact them for years to come.”

In the release, Senator LaValle said, “I fully support East Hampton’s efforts to make decisions concerning their own airport.” 

Regardless of whether the town accepts federal airport money, however, the F.A.A. holds sway over aspects of the airport’s operation. Through an application called a Part 161, the town is seeking F.A.A. permission to enact flight restrictions designed to limit the noise impact of helicopters and other craft.

“F.A.A. grants severely limit, irrevocably for a period of 20 years, the ability of the Town of East Hampton as owner of its airport to control its own property,” the Quiet Skies Coalition, a group focused on airport noise, said in a press release. “The legislation is therefore a step forward in achieving and maintaining local, democratic control over this significant town asset for the benefit of all members of the community.” The group has taken out full-page advertisements in local newspapers expressing its views.

Should a future town board accept state or federal airport grants, the matter could be put to a vote by the electorate if enough signatures are gathered, within 30 days, under the permissive referendum law. At least 5 percent of those who voted in the last gubernatorial election would be required.