Massport extends chief's contract through 2012

Massachusetts Port Authority chief executive Craig P. Coy is now poised to serve in his post through April 2012 and become Massport's longest continuous-serving leader in the agency's 47-year history.

Massport's board unanimously voted yesterday to extend Coy's employment contract, which was to expire in April 2007, by five years. Coy will also begin in July getting a 2 percent annual increase in his $250,000 base salary, which has not been increased since the former Coast Guard helicopter officer and businessman was hired in April 2002.

Although Massport historically had tense relations with city and neighborhood leaders, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino said yesterday he is pleased Coy's term is being extended.

''He's been a good partner for our city," Menino said. ''He's been a breath of fresh air when it comes to the management of the airport."

But John A. Vitagliano, a former member of Massport's board who lives in Winthrop and has battled airport expansion for three decades, said he is ''really disappointed. From the standpoint of a long-suffering community activist, Craig Coy has not been good about reaching out to affected communities in a sensitive way."

Vitagliano and other residents of areas near Logan International Airport contend a $100 million ''centerfield taxiway" project Coy and airlines are pushing to reduce congestion at the airport will bring noise and pollution far closer to East Boston and Winthrop residents.

Massport chairman John A. Quelch, a Harvard Business School professor and dean, said in an interview after the vote the board felt Coy had brought ''professionalism and leadership capability" to running an agency long dogged by a reputation for political patronage. All four of Coy's predecessors came to the agency after long stints in politics or as top aides to governors.

Coy said he is grateful to the board for ''a vote of confidence, not just for me but for the whole management team."

With Massport close to wrapping up a decade-plus, $4.4 billion reconstruction of Logan, Coy said he is eager to focus more attention on upgrading Massport-operated container ship and cruise ship terminals on Boston Harbor, while continuing to improve service and security at Logan.

If he serves all 10 years, Coy would exceed the 1964-73 term of Edward J. King, who went on to become Massachusetts governor from 1979-83. David W. Davis served between 1975 and 1990 but was briefly ousted by King allies in 1982.

Peter J. Howe can be reached at howe@globe.com.