Annual Town Meeting voters approved Article 8 to formally establish a revolving fund for the Marshfield Airport, though the move was preceded by a debate regarding the revenue the town receives from the facility. The fund allows the town to use revenues from airport rents and fuel excise to pay for airport-related expenses. Jan Martin of the Advisory Board explained that while the airport has been operating in this manner, the fund had never been formally authorized by Town Meeting.

Critics of the article argued that the town is not seeing enough return on the asset. Residents Joe Pervich and Steve Lynch pointed out that the town receives approximately $53,000 per year from Shoreline Aviation, the airport's operator, while the company maintains a profitable private business. We need to be getting something back for what we're giving away, Pervich said. Jack Griffin, Chair of the Capital Budget Committee, moved to amend the article to strike salaries and wages from the allowed expenditures, questioning why the town would support an operator's payroll through the fund.

Town Counsel Bob Galvin advised against the amendment, noting that the town might need the flexibility to pay wages if it ever decides to run the airport itself rather than using a private operator. The amendment failed 164-236 in a standing vote, and the main motion to establish the fund subsequently passed.

Motion: To establish the Airport Revolving Fund.

Vote: Passed