Airport authority hires consultant
A Uniontown man whose clients include South Union Township and Fayette County was hired Wednesday as a consultant for the Fayette County Airport Authority. The authority voted to enter into a written agreement with William E. Piper at a rate of $60 per hour to consult with airport projects.
Before starting his own transportation consulting firm last year, Piper was employed with the state Department of Transportation for 37 years, the last seven of which were spent as an intermodal coordinator in the fields of aviation, rail-freight, transit and waterways.
Vice Chairman Robert Schiffbauer, who is also a South Union Township supervisor, recommended hiring Piper based on his professional experience with him. He said Piper is familiar with aviation, something that is vital for an airport consultant. Schiffbauer said he believes one of the problems the authority has experienced is with the intricacies in dealing with the Bureau of Aviation.
“I think his advice will prove useful… and will give the authority the direction we lacked in the past. We have a lot of problems ahead of us aside from extending the runway and I would like to have him to guide us,” he said.
Piper outlined some of his work accomplishments, and said he was the transit coordinator for a $10 million Westmoreland County rail freight project. He said he has worked with the Bureau of Aviation and has a wide range of experience.
Schiffbauer said Piper’s advice and background would be invaluable.
“He will be doing his job without hidden agendas,” he said.
Piper is the first consultant for the authority since retired state Sen. Bill Lincoln held the position. Lincoln resigned earlier this year along with former authority members Gary Tedesco and Terry Shallenberger.
During project updates from Benatec senior project manager Robbie M. Matesic, who is handling the airport extension project, the authority learned that a Phase 1 archaeological study must be done as part of a storm water project. Matesic said the study is necessary to receive environmental clearance from the Bureau of Aviation.
She said the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission requires the clearance. Amid grumbling about the $16,000 pricetag, the authority voted to have the firm of McCormick- Taylor conduct the studies.
Matesic said she has asked the Bureau of Aviation to increase grants to include the additional amount. She said they can advance design work without environmental clearance but can’t begin construction without it.
For the cost, a team of archaeologists will spend two days in field doing screen soils and making holes every 50 feet. Matesic said the firm has committed to complete the work by June 10.
“If they find an arrowhead, we’re screwed,” said authority member Tim Mahoney.
Matesic said it will take more of a discovery than just an arrowhead to halt the project.
Matesic also reported about the project to pave the access road and main hangar apron. She said the grant was received Wednesday.
She said the project should be put out to bid in mid-August and completed by this year. Authority chairman Jesse Wallace pointed out that the asphalt plants close on Oct. 31. “In October, I want to see blacktop,” he said.
Matesic also reported that a grant is available for the REIL (Runway End Indicator Lights) replacement project. She said it should cost under $10,000 to replace the navigation system. The authority approved a motion to authorize airport manager Diana Wally to get bids and proceed, provided the project is less than $10,000.
During her report, Wally said the Civil Air Patrol held its first meeting at the airport and noted that the group has expressed an interest in starting an Adopt-An-Airport program similar to the Adopt-A-Highway project in which groups adopt highways and pick up garbage four times a year. The authority agreed to pursue the idea.
The authority voted to enter into an agility program with PennDOT. As part of the agreement, the authority will allow PennDOT to use a hangar at the airport in exchange for services such as preventative maintenance, line painting, crack sealing, spraying vegetation and use of a Gradall or backhoe.
Since PennDOT is using one of three hangars currently rented by Jeff Baugh, PennDOT agreed to pay Baugh a $25 monthly fee for utilities.
Wally announced that the airport may soon inherit a used field truck from another airport that may be purchasing a new one. Wallace said it will be nice to get a free truck.