By Erin Tiernan — Erin@concordbridge.org
Officials say a no-fly zone is needed to ensure the “shot heard round the world” isn’t drowned out by the din of jet traffic during 2025 ceremonies commemorating the American Revolution.
That shot rang out on April 19, 1775, at Concord’s North Bridge. The preserved site at Minute Man National Historical Park will host the town’s 250th celebrations. Select Board member Terri Ackerman said she’s worried that, without a pause in “frequent” jet traffic, ceremonies could be hard to hear.
“It’s too noisy for an event that’s happening only once every 50 years, and we’re hoping the FAA agrees that this is a once-in-a-generation event,” Ackerman recently told The Concord Bridge.
In her first official action after being appointed Concord’s representative to the regional committee that advocates for local interests at Hanscom Field, Ackerman submitted a no-fly zone request to the Federal Aviation Administration. The letter to FAA top brass requests a pause in non-essential plane traffic from 9 a.m. to noon during next April 19’s celebrations.
Quiet down, private jets
The request would cover the northern half of the Town of Concord from Route 2 to Middlesex School, including the North Bridge at Minute Man National Historical Park. It lays out exceptions for medical flights, a military flyover, and arrivals and takeoffs by VIPs the town has invited to attend, including the president and vice president.
Ackerman said the no-fly zone request “is intended for private jet traffic.”
“It is our sincere wish that this important national event be experienced by the public with respect and without interruption,” states the letter signed by Concord Select Board members and approved by the Hanscom Field Advisory Committee.
Town estimates foresee the 2025 celebrations anywhere from 150,000 to 1 million people, the letter to the FAA states.
FAA ombudsman Lindsey White, who oversees the New England region, told HFAC members during their September 17 meeting that she would “reach out” for an answer in the coming days.
Drowned out
The North Bridge is barely five miles from Hanscom Field. In previous years, the town’s Patriots Day ceremony and parade have been disturbed by noise from private jets overhead, Ackerman said.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation put Minute Man, Walden, and nearby landmarks on its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places this year, in part due to jet noise that the organization anticipates would increase if a current hangar space expansion proposal is approved.
Also joining the Select Board’s request are the town’s 250th Executive Committee and Minute Man’s superintendent, Ackerman told her committee members.
In her public comments opposing the hangar expansion, park Superintendent Simone Monteleone said, “Re-invigorating coordination efforts between Massport and Minute Man NHP on how to avoid, minimize, and mitigate current noise issues in the park as a result of current and project flight activity would be welcome.”
Park officials said in a statement that they “appreciated” the town’s efforts to “ensure minimal disruption” during the landmark event.
Massport spokeswoman Jennifer Mehigan said the agency “will support the FAA’s decision.”
