The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-06-23
San14aaH Reu<em
BY JAMES M. MOORE

the proposed site. AS reported here previously the city had such a site chosen in Wolcott but townspeople there have opposed it's sale.
 In considering the land, which should be as level as possible so as to avoid excessive contraction costs there also must be considered it's area as to whether it will provide sufficient landing strips. Water bury's proposed airport will be a class B" containing four strips of $500 to 4,500 feet each in length.
 Also to be considered are grading and drainage problems. In these instances it must be determined whether excavations must be re- quired or whether such site, while dry in one month, won't be a swamp few months later. Water, power, telephone and sanitary facilities must be taken into consideration as well as accessibility of automo- bile transportation.
 Economic factors naturally must be considered such as, assurances that the site will be the means of servicing the greatest number of people in the surrounding area, and if the site is capable of expansion contingent upon growth of the com- munltieS. And, of course is it a fact that, under reasonable condi- tionS, will the airport revenue pay operating and maintenance ex- penses, write off original invest ments and produce profit?
 High Cost
 In constructing the actual site the work is highly scientific and expansive. Drainage and grading are particular problems particularly because of the extensive widths and lengths of an airport as compared to highway for example
 It has been estimated, for example, that the average postwar airport will be built at a cost of about $37,500 per 15O foot by 5000 foot runway capable of handling planes up to 30,0OO gross weight That is the capacity for a grade two airport and since Waterburys plans call for a grade-t three the cost will be greater.
 Costs then must be considered for the main building and for hangarS, maintenance buildings and numerous other facilities. It has been estimated that the city's pro- posed municipal airport will cost from $3 million to $4 million.
 Connecticut Ham, Strung
 While we held doubt as to that phase of the proposed Legislative bill permitting the state to con- demn land in one community to provide for an airport Site in an- other, we did endorse the forma- ton, as provided by the bill, for a state aeronautics board or commits sion with power to regulate Con- nectlcut's aviation interests.
 This bill was entirely defeated by the Senate after the House had at tached to it an amendment pro- viding for condemnation authority by the board subject to the ap- proval of the people of the commit nlty" involved The bill was de- feated by small majority of the Senate as spite measure against the Governor. Waterburys Sena- tor Patrick Wallace voted in fa- vor of the bill as would have Sena- tor Edward P. Egan if the latter had not been confined to the ilospi- tai at the time. Senator Egan was chairman of the legislative aeronau- tics committee.
 Failure to pass this bill may re- suit in Connecticut finding itself hand-tied, as compared to other states, in the future field of avia- tion. It was short-sighted action on the part of a spiteful majority Mayor John s. Monagah consist ently supported the bills passage as did other city authorities. The problems now confronting the city are being wrestled with by T. E Scott-Smith city planning engineer and Thomas F. Moore, chairman oi i the commission and all its mem- | berS.
 It is hoped for by all that, for ths welfare of Waterbury some suitable means will be found. Otherwise wt will, as stated, become backward community in relation to others oi comparable size which will be in { f position to enjoy the benefits ol aviation.