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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-27-NAC-min Town of Lexington Noise Advisory Committee(NAC) Minutes of Meeting April 27,2021 A meeting of the Noise Advisory Committee ("NAC")was held via Zoom videoconference on Tuesday April 27, 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 Others Present: Mark Sandeen, local landscapers, other individuals. 1. Public Meeting with Landscapers—Introductory Remarks Stewart acted as moderator of the meeting which took place virtually on Zoom via the Town webinar meeting format currently utilized by the Town's Select Board. All participants were welcomed. He outlined how the meeting would take place and referred to the rules of conduct and decorum for all participants and noted that, initially, each participant would be allocated three (3) minutes to make comments and/or suggestions related to the draft bylaw which proposes a regulation of landscaping noise in Lexington. He advised that the meeting was scheduled for two hours and that an additional meeting using the same format would take place on May 5'. He then introduced the Committee chair Dan to make opening remarks. Dan noted that meeting materials, including an email cover letter and fact sheet setting forth details of the proposed regulation, had been distributed by the Town to 57 landscaping businesses operating locally.The list had been compiled using a variety of means including the telephone book and other lists of known local landscapers. He further advised that during this and the upcoming May 5, 2021 meeting, the Committee was seeking input directly from landscapers on the proposed bylaw. 2. Landscaper Statement 19 landscapers participated by attending the webinar meeting. In total 10 landscaping businesses made statements. Dan and other Committee members responded to questions and provided further information concerning the proposals.All participants were encouraged to share their opinions and suggested changes to the substance of the draft proposal. In summary, a number of issues were raised to the Committee including: • Several Landscapers complained about the process used by the Committee in developing the proposed noise regulation bylaw. • Many landscapers expressed concern that the Committee's request for input comes at a bad time (in the middle of a busy clean-up season), particularly since some issues require that they do some research, e.g., on equipment. • Given the volume of work during a short season and the environmental conditions (e.g., wet and heavy leaf fall) many landscapers stated that they have to be efficient and, among choices of powered clean-up equipment, there is presently no viable alternative to GLBs. • One landscaper said there is a viable alternative to GLBs. He noted that he left a GLB-focused company to set up a landscaping company that uses only electric equipment. Manufacturer Greenworks gives him a price break. • Several landscapers noted that some seasonal restrictions might be reasonable because there is no need for powerful blowers to move grass clippings and sediment during summer months. • Several Landscapers expressed concern about the upfront costs of conversion from GLBs to battery powered leaf blowers. • Landscapers also noted that there are complaints that Cambridge dropped its restrictions into place without warning and that this should not happen in Lexington • Other landscapers noted that proposed seasonal limits are not set at the right dates; e.g., some years it may be necessary to work on Fall clean-up until Xmas if there is an early snow. • Several landscapers expressed a desire to delay the proposal. Many said they needed time to research the matter to provide substantive feedback. • A concern was expressed that the committee is providing free advertising for electric landscapers. • Many expressed the view that the proposal should be revised based on more input from landscapers and others. • One landscaper stated that he considers the seasonal restriction dates to be impractical. Generally, participants were asked if they had any substantial or other suggested changes to the proposed draft bylaw. It was also noted a further meeting would take place to entertain further comments and suggestions on May 5t". Additionally, written comments and suggestions(addressed through the Town's webpage) were also encouraged. It was brought to the attention of the Committee during the meeting that a number of landscapers were inadvertently removed from the meeting following the completion of their statements (versus being returned to the participant category). Dan apologized on behalf of the Committee and noted that this had been an administrative mistake due to the Committee's unfamiliarity with the webinar technology. He noted that he would attempt to make full recordings of the entire meeting available on the Town's website.The Committee also encouraged all landscapers to attend the May 5th meeting in the event they had further comments or feedback Following the conclusion of the statements Dan made some further remarks and summarized some of the issues from the statements and discussion. Landscapers were thanked for their participation. 3. Other Business It was agreed that a further meeting NAC take place at 7:15 pm on May 3, 2021 ahead of the scheduled meeting on May 5th 4. Adjournment There being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 pm.