But The Vote Was Not Unanimous

The Keene, NH City Council voted last Thursday to allow Chapter 35 of the International Aerobatic Club to conduct practices on five Saturdays this year operating near Dillant-Hopkins airport.

The 9-6 vote came after the council heard opposition from a handful of people, some of whom live near the airport. The club has been basing practices at the airport since 2007, according to a report appearing in the Sentinel Source newspaper.

Among those against the practices was resident James T. Dunn, who said at a planning, licenses and development committee meeting a week prior to the reguar city council meeting that the practices destroy "half a day" for the 500 or so families living in the neighborhood under the practice airshow box. He said he knows he lives near an airport, and is accustomed to the normal jet traffic, but the noise from airplanes practicing aerobatics is "constant", he said.

Others at the committee meeting, however, spoke in favor of allowing the practices, saying that the presence of the IAC chapter brings attention to the airport, and a lot of people like to watch the world-class aerobatics from their homes.

The committee voted 4-1 in favor of the practice sessions, but there were still some council members who remained against them. The paper reports that Ward 5 Councilor George S. Hansel said that while he is a supporter of the airport, "I remain unconvinced that buying food and some gas is a trade-off for the extreme level of public nuisance.”

Ward 4 City Councilor Robert B. Sutherland said that he and others had received multiple calls and and emails from residents living near the airport, and while they know there will be airplanes in the area, allowing the aerobatic practice is like buying a house on a busy street and then finding that the council has approved drag racing on that street.

But At-Large councilor Bettina Chadbourne said while she is sympathetic to the noise, the club has met with residents and has changed some of their procedures to address their concerns.

Among the changes are shortening practices to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The club has also raised the floor of the air show box by 500 feet.

Chadbourne said that the exposure generated by the practices is a long-term benefit to the city.

Ward 5 Councilor Phillip M. Jones added that each of the city's Wards has events that generate noise, including fireworks displays and sporting events.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.ci.keene.nh.us/government/city-council