HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-20-NAC-minNOISE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
20 March 2012
A duly posted meeting of the Noise Advisory Committee (NAC), held in Legion Room, Cary
Hall, was called to order at 7:30 pm by Chairman Tony Galaitsis with members Bob Earsy and
Mary Hosmer Fanucci, and Planning Board liaison Richard Canale present. Also present in the
audience were: Mr. Mike Bowers, representative of Boston Properties, 191 Spring St, Lexington;
and citizen Mr. Phil Jackson.
Minutes of previous meeting (1/23/2012)
On a motion duly made and seconded, the NAC approved the minutes unanimously.
Discussion of proposed Nighttime roofing work at 191 Spring St.
Speaking on behalf of Boston Properties Inc., Mr. Bowers discussed the proposed night -time
roofing project to be conducted at 191 Spring St, and asked for an exemption from
Lexington's Noise By -Law, Section 804A, which states that "Motorized devices and
equipment engaged in construction shall be prohibited from use between the hours of 8:00
pm and 7.00 am...".
The proposed operations will involve the use of circular masonry- cutting saws for the
removal of the old waterproof asphalt layer from the existing roof. The cutting would begin
around 4:00 or 5:00 am and would end around 7:00 or 8:00 am, and followed by quieter
activities. The project is expected to last approximately 60 days after allowing for the
possibility of a few rainy evenings, when no work would be done. The stated justification for
the petition was that the noise generated by the asphalt cutting noise would disturb daytime
employees in the building and especially the executive personnel at the top floor.
Highlights from the subsequent discussion include the following:
• All agreed that daytime construction noise, especially from the cutting saws, could be
disruptive to building occupants
• All agreed that such daytime disruption for building occupants should not be traded for
nighttime sleep disruption, if any, of Lexington residents
• NAC members thought that the construction noise transmitted to nearby residences might
be sufficiently mitigated by a) the intervening hill to Old Spring St area, and b) the large
2,500+ ft distance to Shade St area. However, the NAC also felt there should be some
conditions, in the event of resident sleep disruptions complaints
• The NAC also remarked that the Noise By -Law Special Permit Forms require individual
abutter notification, which was not conducted
• Mr. Bower stated that a) His organization might accept a conditional permit that would
shift the construction to regular daytime hours in the event of sleep disruption complaints,
and b) He would be happy to conduct the abutter notification, and revisit the NAC in the
next meeting. The NAC accepted the offer stating that the notification may be limited to
the Old Spring St residents only
The NAC decided to continue the hearing and issue its recommendation during the 4/10/12
meeting after receiving feedback, if any, from nearby residents.
Discussion of proposed Noise -By -Law (NBL) Updates
Further discussion of this subject was deferred to next meeting. It was agreed that Noise By-
Law updates also include review and update, as needed, of the Application Forms for a
Special Permit under the Noise By -Law.
Other
Mr. Phil Jackson expressed interest in an NAC member appointment. Mr. Galaitsis will
explore with the Selectmen the possibility of amending the maximum NAC membership,
which is currently limited to 5.
The meeting was adjourned at about 8:45 pm.
Minutes submitted by Tony Galaitsis,