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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-20-NAC-min Town of Lexington Noise Advisory Committee(NAC) Minutes of Meeting April 20,2021 A meeting of the Noise Advisory Committee ("NAC") was held via Zoom videoconference on Tuesday April 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM. A quorum of four members was present. NAC Members Present: Dan Koretz (Chair),Vicki Blier, Nick Afshartous, Stewart Smith, April Wang 1. Approval of Minutes The Committee reviewed the minutes from the NAC meetings held on April 8th and April 20, 2021. Dan moved that both sets of minutes as posted on Slack be approved.The motion was seconded by Nick and carried unanimously. 2. Review of Landscaper Meeting Talking Points Dan presented a draft of talking points to be used by NAC during the public landscaper meetings which are scheduled for April 27th and May Stn After reviewing the draft,the Committee discussed the content and several revisions were incorporated into the document.The Committee also discussed scenarios during the Landscaper meetings which included expected attendance by landscapers and a potential situation where one landscaper purports to speak for a group. It was agreed that any landscaper was entitled to three minutes of speaking time and that groups would have to have their members speak individually. After discussion, it was agreed that Dan would reach out via email to certain self-identified groups (based on previous interaction with NAC) to advise on the application of the three minute rule to groups. Dan moved that the Talking Points be approved as amended.The motion was seconded by Stewart and approved unanimously. 3. Other Business Dan noted that a practice session with Town staff utilizing the Town's webinar meeting format was scheduled for Wednesday April 21"at 9:OOam. Dan, Nick and Stewart will attend the practice session. Nick updated the Committee on his ongoing work to explore bulk purchases of green landscaping equipment for Lexington landscapers. He indicated that he had met with Stella Carr and Rick Reibstein. Stella advised that although the Town would likely be supportive, it would be reluctant to become directly involved in procurement efforts. Continued discussion will take place on this matter. Nick also wrote to State Rep. Michelle Ciccolo regarding state procurement activities and referenced Michelle's Bill which has not reached the Committee stage. It was noted that Michelle was beginning to speak about the Bill which, if passed, would potentially provide State resources to switch from gas-powered to green equipment.Vicki observed that it would be helpful if landscapers would support the Bill as it moves forward. The Committee concluded that progress was being made on the bulk purchase initiative and that information on this issue should be shared with local landscapers. Other items discussed related to the mechanics of the landscaper meetings. A question was also raised about how many times the email to landscapers advising of the planned meetings would be sent out. Dan agreed to discuss this matter with Town staff(i.e. whether a second and/or third email could be sent ahead of the meetings). Next meeting The next meeting of NAC will be on April 27, 2021 at 7:OOpm. Adjournment There being no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 7:50pm. Action Items Person Responsible Due Date 1. Review and update our list of towns that have Dan/Nick Ongoing regulated lawn equipment. Make calls to find success stories that can be presented to the Select Board and TM. 2. Reorganize and consolidate the information we have Stewart Complete collected over time on health effects, etc. 3. Craft one or more short blurbs and slide presentations Dan Complete based on#2,for use in approaching the groups noted below. 4. Contact the Board of Health to ask for support. We Nick (with Complete should do this ASAP as soon as we have#2 done (as we assistance from should reference specific studies on health effects in Mark S.) approaching Wendy Heiger-Bernays. 5. Request opportunities to present to Lexington civic Throughout groups, including: October and a. Sustainable Lexington a. Mark S November b. Lex GWAC b. Judith C. Citizens for Lexington Conservation c. Judith d. League of Women Voters d. Judith e. Lexington Mavens e. April f. Mothers Out Front f. Judith g. Lexington Green Teams (Cindy Arens) g. Judith 6. Create and distribute survey to collect usable data on Mark M In Progress GLB public opinion April 7. Decide whether to contact people who participated in Dan Pending earlier threads. Note that this is easier if we have something like a survey, which gives us a reason to contact them. 8. Obtain MA Medical Association resolution on leaf Stewart Completed blowers(Wendy Alker?) 9. Plan one or two virtual public meetings. Deferred Pending 10. Plan contact with TM members Deferred Pending 11. Do additional social-media work(not entirely specified Stella to assist Pending yet).