$6.7M sought for airport.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Nick Kotsopoulos

WORCESTER - The City Council has authorized the city administration to apply for $6.7 million in federal and state grants for runway and airfield improvements at Worcester Regional Airport. City Manager Michael V. O'Brien has assured councilors the grants will not be deducted from the fair-market value set for the facility, and will not reduce its eventual sale price.

Some city councilors Tuesday night expressed concerns, especially given the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates the airport for the city, is supposed to acquire the facility by June 30.

Mr. O'Brien said negotiations with Massport are going well and he fully expects the two parties to meet the June 30 deadline set by the Legislature.

"These grants will not be taken off the transaction price," Mr. O'Brien said.

Councilor-at-Large William J. Eddy raised questions about seeking and accepting the grants before the negotiations to transfer ownership of the airport to...