Gardner Airport Commission Meeting Apr 26 2026

The City of Gardner Massachusetts Gardner Airport Commission held a meeting on April 26, 2026, primarily to discuss the establishment of a lease agreement with the Boston RC Jet Club. Key procurement-related topics included negotiating the terms and fees for the club's use of airport facilities, specifically for operating high-performance model jets on the runway. The commission debated appropriate insurance requirements, storage container size and placement, fire safety measures, and coordination with other airport users such as MIT. A significant focus was on setting a fair annual fee for the club's members, with a proposal to charge $3,500 for the first year and potentially $5,000 thereafter, based on five members paying $1,000 each. The commission agreed on a probationary period to review operations and emphasized the need for the city solicitor and purchasing agent to review the contract language before finalizing. The meeting concluded with a consensus to move forward pending legal review and receipt of insurance documentation.