Residents Unconvinced Benefits Would Outweigh Inconvenience

At a public meeting Monday, residents of Carroll County, MD announced they are "unconvinced" by a study that insists an expanded Carroll County Regional Airport (DMW) would create significant benefits.

Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of the Baltimore-based Sage Policy Group, said a large federal investment in the expansion means "the county would reap all the benefits of increased airport use while paying just a small portion of the cost."

Basu also acknowledged the associated increased noise could possibly lower property values of neighboring homes. He said it would be "fair" for the county to provide soundproofing to affected residents and pushed those in attendance to "demand compensatory policies from county officials."

About 150 residents and county staff members attended the meeting. A commonly voiced concern centered on potential hidden costs associated with expansion, such as increased traffic, additional infrastructure needs property devaluation.

Jeff Silverman, a 20 year neighboring resident, fears a larger airport will breed industrial development. Unlike the cost of expansion , costs of such development's infrastructure "would fall on taxpayers in Westminster and the county," he said.

According to the Carroll County Times, the recommended six-year capital plan presented by the county budget director includes $85 million for a new terminal building, runway expansion and corporate hangars. The Carroll County Board of Commissioners has not yet approved the projects. The FAA is set to contribute to the runway expansion more than $70 million.

Basu argued both industrial and commercial developments tend to improve local bottom lines rather than diminish them.

Ed Mitchell said he built a new home near the airport about five months ago and he's now worried he made a mistake. He fears a long wait should he try to sell his home any time soon.

FMI: www.carrollcountyairport.com