HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-12-NAC-min Town of Lexington
Noise Advisory Committee
Minutes of Meeting of April 12, 2018
A meeting of the Noise Advisory Committee was held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at
7:00 pm in the Parker Room at the Town Offices. A quorum of three was present.
Members Present: Nick Afshartous, Mark McConnell, Lee Minardi (Chair)
Members Absent: Richard Canale (liaison), David Pinsonneault(staff)
The meeting acted on the following items:
• The sole purpose of the meeting was to determine if the committee should
proceed in an effort to create a draft to enhance town bylaws with the goal of
reducing noise and air pollution created by leaf blowers. The vote of the
committee members present was in favor of drafting such bylaws.
• The following assumptions will drive this activity:
1. The committee will focus on leaf blower noise alone. Other noise pollution
issues can be addressed in the future.
2. Leaf blower noise is a problem in Lexington.
3. Leaf blowers do cause noise pollution.
4. Current Lexington bylaws are inadequate in providing guidelines and
restrictions on leaf blower use.
5. Leaf blowers can be an effective tool for professional lawn care companies
and residents. Their needs should be addressed.
6. Any bylaw created in this effort should be as easy as possible to be enforced.
• The process will be to:
1. Review current Lexington bylaws.
2. Research and assess what other nearby town have implemented.
3. Meet with representative of other towns, lawn care company owners, police,
to determine what works and what doesn't for mitigating leaf blower noise in
their communities.
4. Meet with representatives of Lexington stakeholders and concerned groups
including: DPW, Board of Health, Sustainable Lexington, and Lexington
Global Warming Action Committee.
5. Hold open public meetings to get input and inform committee progress (fall
2018).
2018-04-12-NAC-min.l.d ocx
Noise Advisory Committee 2
6. Draft leaf blower noise bylaws by December 2018 and present them to the
public.
7. Bring to Town Meeting for vote in March, 2019.
• A review of area town leaf blower restrictions was made (see attachment).
• Committee members were assigned to research leaf blower bylaws for Arlington,
Brookline, and Newton.
• Committee members were assigned to contact representatives of the groups listed
in item 4 above.
• The next meeting is tentatively set for Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at 7:00pm.
The following documents/exhibits used at the meeting are attached:
• Noise Bylaw Highlights for Nearby Towns
Respectfully Submitted,
Lee Minardi, Chair