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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