WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is publishing for comment a draft policy [Docket No. FAA–2003–15495] on weight-based access restrictions at federally obligated airports; and,

WHEREAS, some airport operators have implemented restrictions on use of the airport by aircraft above a certain weight, to protect pavement not designed for aircraft of that weight; and,

WHEREAS, these actions have raised the question of when such an action is a reasonable restriction on use of the airport; and,

WHEREAS, such weight restrictions also serve to beneficially restrict the operation of large noisy jets around suburban General Aviation airports; and

WHEREAS, residents of the Borough of Madison have been plagued by ever-increasing aircraft noise resulting from jet operations from Morristown Municipal Airport; and,

WHEREAS, residents near Teterboro airport have been similarly plagued by aircraft noise; and,

WHEREAS, aircraft noise and the resulting sleep disturbances is an important health and safety issue;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Council of the Borough of Madison in the County of Morris and State of New Jersey, believes that weight-based access limits are beneficial, fair, necessary and reasonable restrictions at federally obligated airports.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the FAA as well as Congressmen Frelinghuysen and Rothman, Senators Lautenberg and Corzine and the Morris County Freeholders.

Comments on the proposed policy must be delivered or mailed, in duplicate, to: the Docket

Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590–0001. You must identify the docket number ‘‘FAA Docket No. FAA–2003–15495’’ at the beginning of your comments. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments must include a preaddressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ‘‘Comments to FAA Docket No. FAA– 2003–15495.’’ The postcard will be date stamped and mailed to the commenter. You may also submit comments through the Internet to http://dms.dot.gov.

Dr. Bowen explained that this will encourage the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) not to permit 737s to land at Morristown Airport. There was no further Council discussion, and the motion to adopt the aforementioned R 155-2003 passed with the following roll call vote recorded:

Yeas: Mrs. Holden, Mr. Hayman, Dr. Bowen, Mrs. Vitale, Mr. Mantone
Nays: None

Absent: Ms. Baillie

Mr. Mantone moved that R 156-2003, which was read by title, be adopted. Mr. Hayman seconded the motion.

(Passed 11-Aug-2003)