HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-10-NAC-minNOISE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
January 10, Meeting
A duly posted meeting of the Noise Advisory Committee (NAC), held in the Legion
Room, Cary Hall, was called to order at 7:30 PM by Chairman Tony Galaitsis with
members Mary Hosmer - Fanucci, Bob Earsy, and Steve Kropper in attendance.
The NAC covered the topics as listed in the 12/12/11 agenda, namely:
Minutes of previous meeting (112/13/11)
The minutes of the December 13, 211 meeting were reviewed, revised and accepted
unanimously.
Discussion of proposed Noise -By -Law (NBL) Updates
Discussion ensued reviewing the Noise By -Law of the Town of Belmont in order to
determine whether Lexington's NBL warranted revision. Noise terms, definitions,
methods and limits employed in the Belmont NBL were discussed and compared to
those in the Lexington NBL in an effort to identify advantages and disadvantages.
Discussion ensued on the merits of absolute vs relative noise levels and of the time
period considered (instantaneous vs period averaged). The Belmont NBL offers two
options of assessing noise impacts: One part, using relative limits, is analogous to
the Lexington NBL (assessing impact by measuring noise above ambient) but with
different thresholds; and the other part assesses impact by comparing measured
noise to specified absolute limits.
Part of the discussion delved on the "construction noise" sections of the Belmont
NBL. Mr. Kropper noted high -level construction noise, which is not considered
burdensome over a short period may become onerous when it extends over many
years.
The NAC decided to include NBLs from additional towns. At a minimum, the NAC
will revisit the NBLs collected during the previous consideration of possible updates
to the Lexington NBL. Furthermore, the NAC members were also encouraged to
search for and bring forth any additional NBLs not previously considered.
Topics for Future Discussion
Ms. Hosmer - Fanucci inquired about examples of dB levels in everyday life to assist
to assist the discussion of noise topics with neighbors. Mr. Galaitsis provided a
review of the math of adding the noise of uncorrelated sources. A noise tutorial will
be planned for a future meeting.
The NAC meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM
Minutes prepared by Steve Kropper, Acting Secretary