Airport authority names officers, plans improvements for 2008

LAKEWOOD - The Lakewood Township Airport Authority recently elected its officers for 2008.

The re-elected chairman is Richard Orne. Mike Sernotti was elected vice chairman. Sam Flancbaum was re-elected as treasurer and Mark Seigel was reappointed as secretary with Simcha Shain appointed as assistant secretary.

In other business, the firm of Starkey, Kelly, Bauer, Kenneally and Cunningham was selected as attorneys for the authority, and the auditor will be Fallon and Larsen.

In a major shift, the new consulting engineering company will be Clough Harbour and Associates of Parsippany. The firm will provide the expertise and guidance to further develop the airport, according to a press release from the airport authority.

Two projects are scheduled for this year.

The first, which is slated to begin as the weather warms up, will be funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation to repair, sealcoat and re-mark the runway taxiway and tie-down apron areas. The vendor for this project is Zone Striping of Glassboro.

Part of this project is to relocate the airfield wind sock and install an internally lighted one in a new location. Both the new internally lighted wind sock and the runway and taxiway lights are pilot controlled.

The Federal Aviation Administration will fund an additional 6,224 feet of perimeter fence. The vendor selected for this project by open bidding is Highway and Safety Systems of Hammonton.

According to the press release, this additional fencing should provide better security for the aircraft and limit intrusion and danger to aircraft and personnel.

This project should begin as soon as the wetlands mitigation plans are approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, according to the press release.

According to the airport authority, other improvements and safety projects are being pursued, such as a new entrance road off Airport Road, navigation aids and hangars.