Politics & Government
New Fence Planned For Bayport Aerodrome
The Islip Town Aviation Commissioner and the TSA are upgrading the fence surrounding the Bayport Aerodrome.
After more than 60 years, the is getting a Transportation Security Administration (TSA)- approved security facelift. Teresa Rizzuto, the Islip Town aviation commissioner, met with members of the on Tuesday night at its annual July aerodrome meeting to discuss the phases of the warranted improvements.
Rizzuto told residents that funds have been approved by the federal government to replace 2,300 feet of linear fencing in the first phase of a complete fence replacement project. These fences are located on the north and west sides of the aerodrome.
However, houses border nearly the entire airfield and its construction was a concern among residents. Rizzuto assured residents that Long Island MacArthur Airport and TSA officials will make the construction as least intrusive as possible.
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“We’re going to work with everyone individually,” she said. “If you house is really going to be touched, we won’t start building anything without having a one-on-one conversation.”
Rizzuto said residents bordering the fences in the first phase will be contacted as soon as early September to talk about the construction.
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Electronic gates are also going to be installed on the entrances to defer kids from trespassing and also maintain safety standards for general aviation airports mandated by the TSA.
“Kids are cutting the fence every day and it’s driving us crazy,” Rizzuto said. She said there are reports of kids just crossing though the fence and also dirt biking in the woods. Though there is no reported vandalism, no unauthorized people should be entering the aerodrome.
Rizzuto said within the next 2-3 years, the TSA and Homeland Security will really crack down on general aviation airfields and entrance into the aerodrome will not be as lax as it is today.
The town is also looking into building an additional hanger to double as a "museum" to house all of the antique flyers and preserve the aerodrome's history.
Anyone who witnesses people trespassing in the aerodrome is asked to call (631) 467-3315 to report it to the TSA.
