The Public Information Meeting for the Republic Airport Draft Master Plan Update, originally scheduled for Dec. 9, has been canceled, the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), which operates the airport, announced last week.

Airport officials noted that the meeting will be rescheduled at a later date. They added that the general public is invited to "take this opportunity to review a copy of the document on display at the airport and in local libraries."

The Republic Airport Draft Master Plan Update outlines many projects for the airport, including runway changes, taxiway widenings, and upgrading its aircraft design category from II to III. These, according to airport officials, are aimed at better accommodating the larger business jets that have become prevalent there in recent years, and meeting new Federal Aviation Administration safety requirements. But the plan has drawn criticism from local civic leaders, who have expressed concerns that the changes will bring a new flurry of jet activity to Republic, such as the 727 jet, which is included in design category III.

To view the master plan, one may visit the airport, located on Route 110 in East Farmingdale, just south of Conklin Street, or the Farmingdale Library, located at 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale.

Airport officials noted that interested parties are invited to make an appointment with airport representatives to review the content of the document and ask questions. For further information, one may call 752-7707 and press 8 for a listing of all local libraries storing the document, or press 5 for airport administration.

A.M.