SOUTH BURLINGTON — The South Burlington City Council voted to support the basing of U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter jets in a meeting Monday night that heated the halls of the Chamberlin School with impassioned debate.
In May 2012, the council voted 4-1 to oppose the basing of the F-35 with the Vermont Air National Guard at Burlington International Airport. Since then, the council has added two new members, and residents requested that the panel restate its position on the controversial issue. On Monday night, the council voted 3-2 in support of the fighter jet basing at a session attended by about 200 residents.
Though the council will notify the Air Force of its new position, the vote is unlikely to sway the final decision on where to base the fighter jet, according Pam Mackenzie, chair of the council, who voted in support of the F-35 for the second time. She was joined by Pat Nowak and Chris Shaw, both of whom were recently elected.
Burlington International Airport is one of the three final locations the Air Force will consider for the F-35 jets. The Air Force’s final decision is expected later this summer. The public comment period for the draft Environmental Impact Statement from the Air Force ends Monday.
Rosanne Greco, a council member, joined the opposition in voting a passionate “hell, no” on the basing, citing the many unanswered questions on the issue, such as the health and safety impact on South Burlington residents.
She said it is morally irresponsible, or a “dereliction of duty,” for the council to state a position without hearing more information on the potential health effects. A public hearing was scheduled Tuesday night on the effect aircraft noise has on children’s health.
“Therefore, my vote against basing the F-35 in South Burlington, is a vote for our children,” Greco said, before receiving a standing ovation from other opponents in the room.
Helen Riehle, a council member who voted in support of the basing last year, joined Greco in the minority.
Those supporting the F-35 said many of their questions have been answered, and the city must support the mission of the Vermont Air National Guard, which has flown F-16 fighter jets since the 1980s.
Nowak, vice chair of the council, said she has asked the Air Guard tough questions about the jets. The answers confirmed her support for the F-35, she said.
Shaw, clerk of the council, said South Burlington must remain loyal to its “marriage” with the Guard. Breaking this union is unconscionable, he said.
Mackenzie voted in support of the basing project, but refused to explain her vote, sparking a backlash from residents eager to hear reasoning.
Approximately 32 percent of the residents in attendance spoke in favor of the F-35 and about 56 percent opposed, according to a tally gauging public opinion.
However, there were several people in the audience who held neutral stances. Some suggested tabling the vote for a later date until more information was available.
James Knapp, a former South Burlington City Council member, said the council should focus on a contingency plan for the Air Force’s final decision instead of polarizing the city.
“Spend your time coming up with a plan that addresses the occurrences that will happen when the planes come or don’t come, each will have a significant effect on this area,” Knapp told the council. “And if you don’t take the time that we have to create a contingency plan for either occurrence, you haven’t really fulfilled the function of municipal government.”
He said, for example, the city should consider a plan to purchase replacement affordable housing for those affected by the noise and use the land surrounding the airport for commercial development.
The Winooski City Council also hosted a public forum Monday to hear public opinion on the issue, however, the council did not vote on a position. The forum will continue Wednesday evening.
