South Burlington Council: Station F-35s elsewhere The South Burlington City Council voted 4-1 Monday night against basing the F-35 fighter-bomber at Burlington International Airport. It was unclear what effect the vote — or votes by the legislative bodies of other municipalities — might have on the decision by the U.S. Air Force on where to locate the fighter jets. That decision is expected in early November, F-35 environMental program manager Nick Germanos at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia told the Burlington Free Press. The debate regarding the potential basing of the Air Force’s F-35 at the Vermont Air National Guard facility at the Burlington airport was on the agenda Monday in City Council and Selectboard meetings in Burlington, South Burlington, Williston and Winooski. The four communities have sections that fall within the area shown in a recent environmental impact statement as likely to experience sound levels during F-35 operations “incompatible” under Federal Aviation Administration guidelines with residential use of the land. Burlington International Airport has bought a number of homes in South Burlington during the past several years, marking them for demolition. The airport took a proposal Monday to the Burlington City Council to purchase another 14 homes at a cost of more than $5 million. The environmental impact statement — called an EIS — estimated that if 18 of the new generation fighter-bombers were stationed at the Burlington airport, 938 additional properties would fall within the FAA sound boundaries. If 24 F-35s came to the airport, the number of new properties affected would rise to 1,366. Winooski City Manager K.R. “Deac” Decarreau said Monday afternoon that Winooski wants to prepare a higher-quality map of the affected area than has been available to this point to determine which properties would be affected. The Winooski City Council formally asked the U.S. Air Force Monday night to "clearly identify the potential impact (of the F-35s) on the economic health" of Winooski. Winooski also wanted the Air Force to explain why Burlington is preferable as a location for the F-35s "over areas that may have fewer adverse impacts." Winooski also asked the Air Force to find a way to lower the noise levels of the F-35s.

South Burlington Council: Station F-35s elsewhere

The South Burlington City Council voted 4-1 Monday night against basing the F-35 fighter-bomber at Burlington International Airport.

It was unclear what effect the vote — or votes by the legislative bodies of other municipalities — might have on the decision by the U.S. Air Force on where to locate the fighter jets.

That decision is expected in early November, F-35 environMental program manager Nick Germanos at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia told the Burlington Free Press.

The debate regarding the potential basing of the Air Force’s F-35 at the Vermont Air National Guard facility at the Burlington airport was on the agenda Monday in City Council and Selectboard meetings in Burlington, South Burlington, Williston and Winooski.

The four communities have sections that fall within the area shown in a recent environmental impact statement as likely to experience sound levels during F-35 operations “incompatible” under Federal Aviation Administration guidelines with residential use of the land.

Burlington International Airport has bought a number of homes in South Burlington during the past several years, marking them for demolition. The airport took a proposal Monday to the Burlington City Council to purchase another 14 homes at a cost of more than $5 million.

The environmental impact statement — called an EIS — estimated that if 18 of the new generation fighter-bombers were stationed at the Burlington airport, 938 additional properties would fall within the FAA sound boundaries. If 24 F-35s came to the airport, the number of new properties affected would rise to 1,366.

Winooski City Manager K.R. “Deac” Decarreau said Monday afternoon that Winooski wants to prepare a higher-quality map of the affected area than has been available to this point to determine which properties would be affected.

The Winooski City Council formally asked the U.S. Air Force Monday night to "clearly identify the potential impact (of the F-35s) on the economic health" of Winooski. Winooski also wanted the Air Force to explain why Burlington is preferable as a location for the F-35s "over areas that may have fewer adverse impacts." Winooski also asked the Air Force to find a way to lower the noise levels of the F-35s.