MONTAGUE, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — On Thursday, Montague residents heard from Airport and Town Officials about the nearly $152,000 unanticipated revenue shortfall in the Turners Falls Municipal Airport budget caused by the solar development project being sidelined by high utility connection expense. The solar development project was anticipated to fully meet the funding needs of the airport for FY25, and “substantially exceed it” according to Montague Town Administrator Steve Ellis. In order to get the solar project back on track, which has been a statewide issue impacting other projects, policy makers will need to pass legislation related to utility company costs and interconnections.
The town will be voting on articles 9 and 10 to provide funding for the airport operations and replacing pavement in the upcoming town meeting, Manager Bryan Camden is working towards eliminating town obligations towards the airport. Article 9 addresses the $152,261 revenue shortfall that will now need to be funded by the town to keep the airport functional and in compliance. Article 10 is to vote on $153,315 to replace failed pavement, utility connections, parking lots and loading docks on the Pioneer Aviation property. The town’s portion of the project amount to 5% of the total cost, $3,046,300, 90% of which is funded by the FAA and the other 5% contributed by MassDOT. If the project is not funded this year, the rest of the funding could be lost.
Looking ahead to Fiscal Year 2026, Camden said the airport will need to generate at least $160,000 to sustain operations and ensure FAA/DOT compliance. Potential new revenue sources were discussed during Camden’s presentation such as the Franklin County Technical School’s land-lease, which will provide $7,280 annually, building new aircraft hangars, and even non-aviation land uses/leases.