Issue news story

An upcoming question on the June 4th ballot in Biddeford, Maine is a controversial one. Should the city of Biddeford shut down the Biddeford City Airport at a cost of about $3 million?

According to the records in the city manager's office, to shut down the 126-acre property, it would cost Biddeford about $3 million and to keep it running, it would cost about $60,000 a year.

Some people think that it would make more sense to keep it running, since it would cost less, but others disagree.

Paul Archambault, Chairman of Shut Out Little Airport has lived in a house at the end of the runway for 24 years.

"Once we started looking at the airport, we came to the conclusion that there is no financial benefit at its existing size and capacity," Archambault said. "It continues to be a tax burden."

John Bubier, Biddeford city manager has records that state that the airport takes in about $56,000 annually from sales of gas, property taxes, and land leases.

Roland Pelletier, who has lived next to their airport for 25 years said "I just hope that the referandum will educate people. Times are tough in the economy."

The airport is also dealing with other problems as well as money issues.

"We have pedestrians, motorcycles, four-wheelers (and) ATV's all using it," said Airport manager Tom Bryand. "They just use it as a backyard and that's against regulations."

Although Phyllis Landry enjoys the airport and think's its a great resource, even she has had problems with pedestrians.

"Once about five years ago I had to abort a takeoff because a bunch of neighborhood kids ran onto the runway right in front of my plane," Landry said.

But what about citizens who want to keep the airport running?

Landry has been flying out of Biddeford Airport for 25 years and has seen lots of changes during that time.

"I love this airport," Landry said. "If I couldn't fly out of here I'd have to go to Sanford or Portland."

"Maybe it's expensive to run the airport. But it's a great resource," said Landry. "I know business people who fly in here all the time."

Landry, and other Biddeford citizens will be saddened to see the airport go. It even has been rumored that Charles Lindbergh once stopped here looking for directions to Old Orchard beach.

Bubier said that the City Council really hasn't come down on one side of the issue or the other. "I think they'd prefer to have the voters settle this one," said Bubier.

the vote on June 4th will finally solidify the decision about the closing of the Biddeford City Airport.