Plainville To Buy Robertson Airport

The FAA Wednesday met with city leaders of Plainville, Connecticut and signed an agreement to grant the town $7.4 million to purchase the state's oldest continuously-operating airport from a private owner.

Robertson Airport is owned by the Tommasso brothers, which had purchased it from the Robertson family in the early 1970's The Herald of New Britain, Connecticut reports the negotiated price was $7.7 million, with the city spending almost $100,000 and the state picking up the balance of the tab. “This started several years ago,” Town Manager Robert E. Lee told the paper. “The town understands the meaning the airport has for the community. Getting this grant, especially in this economy, shows the importance of the airport in the area and the nation.”

LaVerne Reid, manager of the FAA’s Airport Division’s Northeast Region, said it's unusual for a town to buy an airport, and that the FAA would help with technical issues that may crop up along the way. “This is a partnership that we can hold up as ideal,” she said.

Helen Bergenty, a member of the town council said the airport is needed to serve the business and industrial community in the area. “It’s a must," she said. "It’s really a regional airport.”

FMI: www.faa.gov.