Ticker: Report says no changes to flight paths at Boston airport; COVID leave bill on Baker’s desk

A report conducted for Massachusetts Port Authority stated that there should not be any changes to flight paths over Massachusetts towns following years of noise complaints from Milton residents.

MIT’s International Center for Air Transportation said that spreading out flights traveling out of Boston Logan Airport will not be the solution to the airplane noise that has hit Boston’s local communities the hardest, The Patriot Ledger reported.

John Hansman, the director of the MIT center, said any alternative pattern would affect more people than the current paths, creating safety issues and a problem for air traffic controllers.

The report will be reviewed by Massport’s Community Advisory Committee, which suggests changes to Massport. The Federal Aviation Administration will determine the final decision.

COVID leave bill on Baker’s desk

The Legislature sent Gov. Charlie Baker a bill Monday extending the state’s COVID-19 emergency paid leave program until April 1.

The program was launched early this summer to offer workers up to a week off to quarantine, recover from the illness, get vaccinated or help a sick family member.

The $75 million program is scheduled to expire this week and the bill now before Baker extends a law that was heralded as a benefit to help workers and their families to recover from the virus and prevent it from spreading further.

Finalized in May, the law authorizing the new program grants all employees access to emergency leave for up to five paid days off for COVID-related concerns, including paid leave from work to attend a vaccine appointment.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3AOWhvl