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MINUTES
NOISE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
25 JANUARY 2005 MEETING
LEXINGTON TOWN OFFICES
NAC Members present:
Anthony Galaitsis, Chair; Julian Bussgang; Myla Kabat-Zinn; Ted
Page; Martha Wood
Liaison persons present:
Lt.Mark Corr (Police Department); Richard Pagett (Selectmen)
AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED
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1. Minutes of the September 30 meeting
The minutes were reviewed and accepted as corrected (typos). They will be filed with the
Town Clerk.
2. Hanscom Aviation Noise Monitor – Recommendation for relocation
Hanscom Field is currently reviewing all its noise monitoring sites since it is planning to
install new monitors. Currently one of the Hanscom Aviation Noise Monitor’s is located on
Preston Road at the highest point of the hill overlooking I95/Rte. 125. (This is the only site
within Lexington.) Mr. Galaitsis and Mr. Bussgang have taken noise level readings at the
site indicating the monitor is picking up a high background noise from the highway. They
also took readings at a possible site at the end of Ballard Terrace that is still in the Hanscom
flight line but below the ridge of the hill and therefore protected from the highway noise.
The Advisory Committee voted to support a recommendation to the Selectmen to ask
Hanscom to:
- Consider relocating the Lexington noise monitor
- Measure the background noise levels at both the Preston Road and Ballard Road sites to
confirm Mr. Galaitsis’ and Mr. Bussgang’s findings
3. Noise Measurement Procedure
Mr. Galaitsis explained the correct procedures that should be used to measure the noise of
“Operating Stationary Equipment” noise as set forth in a memo dated 12/28/05.
Lt. Corr pointed out that two of the three police sergeants trained to use the Town’s monitor
have retired. In addition, the monitor is needed so rarely those trained to use it frequently
have to refer to the manuals. Mr. Galaitsis volunteered to run a training session for the police
staff once new sergeants have been designated.
4. Review of Noise Complaints on file with the Police Department
Lt. Corr distributed location information on the 152 noise complaints filed with the Police
Department in 2004. Of these, 91 occurred between the hours of midnight and 8 am when
the background noise is the lowest. There were 12 complaints from 8 am-4 pm and 49 from
4 pm until midnight. They ranged from noisy air conditioners or loud music to construction
and lawn care crews beginning work before 7 am. Almost all were handled with one visit
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from a police representative. None required ticketing. There was no pattern to the
complaints either by type or locale.
[Note: Barking dog complaints are filed as dog complaints, not noise complaints, and loud
fights, etc. are filed as disturbance of the peace as they complaints are actionable under other
Town By-Laws.]
5. Special Permit Application Form
Lexington’s Noise By-Law, Chapter 80, Section 8a, stipulates that a person seeking a Special
Permit for any activity otherwise forbidden by the provisions of this By-Law make a written
application to the Board of Selectmen, or designee, on the appropriate form. Presently, there is
no such form available. Mr. Galaitsis distributed a draft form based on that used by the Board
of Appeals. It would be completed and submitted to the Town by any applicant requesting a
noise-related special permit. Since the hour was late and there were many questions and
discussion, it was decided that the form would be e-mailed to members for suggestions.
Suggestions should be returned to Mr. Galaitsis who will compile the suggestions and
distribute the revision for discuss at the next meeting.
7. Next Meeting
The next meeting of NAC will be determined later.
[Minutes approved during the 1/17/06 meeting of the Noise Advisory Committee
E-mailed by: Tony Galaitsis ]
2005-01-25-NAC-min