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Town of Lexington
Noise Advisory Committee
Minutes of Meeting of June 28, 2018
A meeting of the Noise Advisory Committee was held on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at
7:00 pm in the Reed Room at the Town Offices. A quorum of three members was
present.
Members Present: Nick Afshartous, Mark McConnell, Lee Minardi (Chair)
Members Absent: Richard Canale (liaison), David Pinsonneault (staff), Michelle Ciccolo
(Selectman)
Others present: Dan Koretz (resident), Rick Reibstein (resident, Sustainable Lexington)
The meeting acted on the following items:
1. Follow-up on action items from the April meeting regarding research into the
experience of some local towns with specific leaf blower noise restrictions:
Nick:
o Spoke with Marie Krepelka in Arlington Selectman’s office. She said initially
there were complaints and once residents got use to the bylaws the complaints
went down and now “there are no complaints”. Arlington initially had a year-
round band and then later revised the bylaws that imposed restrictions.
o No response from email sent to LGWAC
o No response from email sent to Lexington Health Department
o Organized meeting with Quiet Communities (Jamie Banks). We learned
about other ways to educate residents and work with contractors, i.e. have a
list of approved quiet contractors.
Mark
o In Newton they are experiencing lots of by-law complaints and it is
burdensome for the police department. 320 complaints were registered after
the by-law went into effect in October 2017 with 15 persons making 42% of
the complaints.
o Two contractors installed solar panels on truck to generate electric power for
leaf-blowers.
o Newton has web page list of approved quiet contractors.
o Take away is to meet with chief of police and coordinate on enforcement
issues.
Lee
o Brookline has comprehensive leaf-blower by-laws. Equipment can be brought
in for certification/testing.
o No gas powered units in summer.
Noise Advisory Committee 2
o Brookline conducted an online poll with 1300 respondents. Most residents
not concerned with leaf-blowers during spring or fall cleanup. Majority
opposed year long ban of gas powered units or more restrictions.
o Homeowner pays fine if contractor violates restrictions.
o Spoke with Dave Pinsonneault at DPW. They are acquiring electric units and
are supportive of our efforts.
2. There was a consensus that the education of residents and lawn care companies of
best practices be a primary thrust of reducing noise levels with detailed bylaws
providing a reference for when enforcement is necessary.
3. Rick Reibstein of Sustainable Lexington:
o Discussed the idea of a complaint-based system for a health department
worker to be dispatched to help enforce bylaws and also ask contractor to
demonstrate how they can operate more quietly.
o Discussed the idea of a survey for contractors with questions about their
equipment. Survey responses would subsequently be made public.
o We could invite contractors to see what DPW has done with their equipment.
4. Lee will poll meeting attendees for suggestions for a first-draft of noise restriction
criteria that can be used as a base point to build upon.
5. Other:
o Discussed the idea of how to get low/zero interest loans for contractors to
upgrade to quieter electric equipment.
o Dan Koretz was invited to join the committee.
The next meeting is tentatively set for Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 7:00pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lee Minardi, Chair