Carroll County residents cited concerns about traffic, noise and property values as they railed against a proposed airport runway expansion during their last formal opportunity to tell commissioners their objections face-to-face.

“You’re going to make us prisoners in our homes,” said Linda Naugle, a resident near Carroll County Regional Airport in Westminster, at Wednesday night’s public hearing. “If you don’t believe me, come have a cup of coffee or maybe a martini on my patio one afternoon.”

Victoria Oneda wondered whether residents should file a class-action lawsuit against the county to receive “just compensation” for lower property values.

Commissioners will vote June 12 on whether to lengthen the runway from 5,100 to 6,400 feet and construct additional hangars for corporate jets.

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Consultants have recommended that Carroll do so, pointing out the Federal Aviation Administration’s willingness to finance 95 percent of the project and the airport’s ability to attract more business.

“I just hope you have your ears open because the people of Carroll County do not want this expansion, only the corporations do,” said pilot Gary Siegler, who flies to the airport.

Other pilots favor the expansion, including Allan Greene.

“A longer runway is always a safer runway,” he said. “My company is … aware that noise has an adverse impact on local communities. A longer runway would allow us to use less thrust.”

Cheri Grubby, co-chairwoman of the Carroll Joint Neighborhood Association, a group formed last year to oppose the expansion, presented commissioners with 20 more signatures from anti-expansion residents to add to the 1,000-name petition the group gave the county last week.

“You have 1,000 signatures, you can’t ignore that if you are being responsible,” resident Gary Ellers said. “Listen to the people you are supposed to represent. No, it’s not needed, and, no, we don’t want it.”

Residents have nine days to submit written comments.

If you go

» What: Vote on airport project

» When: 10 a.m. June 12

» Where: Carroll government offices, 225 N. Center St., Westminster

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com