SWAMPSCOTT — The Select Board approved a letter Wednesday that will be sent to Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) regarding noise-reduction recommendations at Logan Airport in Boston.
During its meeting, the Select Board combed through the letter to ensure that the proper points were being raised. Board members wanted to make sure that the focus was on Swampscott and that a meeting could be set up for town officials to talk with representatives from Massport.
The recommendations, which the Boston airport received in 2018 as part of an MIT-led study, would shift 25 percent of incoming flights so that they fly over the Nahant Causeway. In prior meetings, board members argued for the path to be shifted so that instead of going over Swampscott, flights would go over the water.
“We don’t believe this study goes far enough in considering how to eliminate the entirety of noise impact on all residents of Massachusetts,” said Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald. “We are seeking more information from Massport regarding why these paths can’t be directed further over the water to ensure that our residents and beachgoers experience the quality of life they deserve.”
The letter states that the recommendations would negatively impact the quality of life for Swampscott residents and would expose North Shore residents to noxious fumes and noise pollution.
“If noise reduction is the goal, it is troubling to us that the proposal does not redirect flights further over the ocean and limit the impact to residential and recreational areas,” Fitzgerald added. “Thus, while we understand the efforts to disperse flights and achieve a more equitable noise distribution, we oppose the current proposal and recommendations for Runway 22L.”
The Select Board noted that U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton and Gov. Charlie Baker were added as copy recipients of the letter.
The motion to approve the letter was passed by a unanimous vote with board member David Grishman being absent from the meeting. The letter states a goal of hoping to start a conversation between Massport and the town.
“We respectfully request that representatives from Logan Airport meet with Swampscott officials to discuss these proposed plans,” the letter states.
