NORWICH – Faced with declining business that’s making it more and more difficult for the Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport to stay operational, county officials are in discussions that may ultimately lead to improvements of the airport, and thus more air traffic grounding in Chenango County.

A special meeting of the Chenango County Planning and Economic Development Committee was called Monday to address issues challenging the airport, namely the situation of trees on private property around the airport which have grown so tall that they’re obstructing pilots’ view, and – in accordance with FAA regulations – limit runway use strictly to daytime hours.

Committee members met with representatives of C&S Companies, a Syracuse-based engineering and consulting firm, on the issue. According to C&S representatives, hopes of making future improvements at the airport starts with compliance of FAA regulations that will allow more air traffic to land. This means cutting trees that are blocking pilots’ approach to the runway, and allowing planes to safely use the runway at night.

While the county has contracted with the firm in previous years, no official agreement has been made with them on the project yet.