The Biddeford, Maine, City Council voted 5-4 on March 18 to have the future of Biddeford Municipal Airport voted on by city residents in November. The city had received a petition calling for a referendum on closing the airport. The council’s move comes a few weeks after it tabled a resolution that would have prevented the airport from receiving any more federal funding, which is usually the first step in closing an airport. AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn met with officials March 4 to discuss the value of the airport. “We must ensure that the community understands the value of the airport and its economic development opportunities, and votes to keep it open,” Dunn said. “We will continue to work with our Airport Support Network volunteer, Alan Lyscars, and an active local pilot group to educate the community.”
March 21, 2008