Apr. 16—STRATFORD — Stratford resident and former AVCO engineer Charles Lautier spent his career working across the street from Sikorsky Memorial Airport, and he can see the benefits of local control should the town purchase it from Bridgeport.
Still, he believes the town already is stretched pretty thin financially, and worries the airport would be "a money pit" and an added financial burden.
"On one hand, I'd like to see Stratford control the airport," Lautier said. "On the other hand, I'm not sure that Stratford can afford it. Just like me, I'd like to have a much nicer car than I have, but I can't afford it."
The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA), a quasi-state agency, declared its interest in buying the property for $10 million in early February. The CAA currently runs six airports in the state, including Bradley International Airport.
Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick also has expressed her desire to by the airport. But do residents support spending millions on the airport, with an unknown ongoing financial commitment?
Of the five residents Hearst Connecticut Media spoke to about the purchase, four supported the plan. Lautier, while not opposed to it, had reservations about the cost and said he thinks Stratford's focus should be more on developing current projects, like the Army Engine Plant and Shakespeare Theater.
He also called for a public hearing and referendum. Two members of the Stratford state delegation, Rep. Joe Gresko and Rep. Phil Young, have also voiced their support of putting the issue to a vote.
"We should not jump into this with both feet without really looking at everything," Lautier said. "It's just too huge of an undertaking in my opinion."
Michelle Harvey, whose home overlooks one of the runways, said she thinks the town owning the airport would be a good idea. Her concern is what would happen should the state acquire it.
"It would be better for the town to acquire it and figure this out somehow," Harvey said. "Because I don't believe the State of Connecticut is going to consider the residents of the surrounding communities in their decision making."
Harvey said flights that are currently coming in and out of Sikorsky sometime cause her windows to shake and it is "very loud." She is worried about how an expansion of airport will affect the value of her home and the local salt marsh.
She also questioned the ability of the airport to compete with Tweed Airport in New Haven for a similar customer base, considering the proximity of the two airports to each other.
Jessica Robbins, said she is worried that CAA will extend the runway or use eminent domain to expand the airport.
She is also concerned about the environmental impact of increased airport activity, including emissions from airplane engines and the impact of plane deicing solution on waterways, and potential increases in criminal activity, she said.
Resident Kathleen Hamill is also worried of a state-owned airport. She said the state may have a "different vision than the people of Stratford" for the airport.
"It could really interfere not just with Lordship, but with the entire town, and so I do strongly believe that we should purchase it," Hamill said.
Joanne Forte, another Lordship resident, said it would not be "right" if Stratford was not given a chance to purchase the airport. The airport rests solely within Stratford.
"I am very concerned about the state purchasing the airport and developing it further," Forte said. "Not only is it a concern to me, and my neighbors, that there will be more flights, noise, soot, traffic, etc. if this happens, but what about the environment, our bird sanctuaries and our beaches?"
The Lordship Improvement Association, which is an all-volunteer, nonprofit dedicated to improving the area's waterfront, declined the take a stance on the airport, according to Hans Drenkard, secretary of the group's Board of Governors.
"The LIA Board of Governors has discussed the airport. As there is quite a diversity of thought, the Board will take no stand on it," Drenkard said. "We have faith that our elected officials will perform due diligence and pursue the best course for the Town of Stratford."
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