ALLIANCE FOR A LIVABLE NEWPORT

1
ALLIANCE FOR A LIVABLE NEWPORT

• Neighborhood Associations Represented
• Off Broadway
• Bellevue Ave/Ochre Point 
• Castle Hill
• Historic Hill
• Kerry Hill
• The Point
• Top Of The Hill.  

2
ALN PUBLIC FORUMS

• Sept. 23rd 2009 City Budget Review
• October 23rd 2008 Ballot initiatives
• Oct. 28th - School Committee Candidates
• Oct. 30th - City Council Candidates
• Time 700 PM
• Place City Hall Council Chambers

3
AGENDA

• Overview of Newports Noise Abatement Ordinance
• How noise is measured
• How to report a violation
• Following up to ensure resolution

4

• Department of Planning and Zoning - Paige Bronk
• Zoning Officer Dennis Sullivan
• Zoning Officer Dan Titus
• Community Policing Officers Lt. Fitzgerald
• CPO Anthony Piermont
• CPO James Winters
• CPO Jonathan Cortes
• CPO Kevin Parsonage
• Salve Regina University
• Gerald L. Willis, Ed. D Associate Dean of
  Students

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ORDINANCE - PUBLIC POLICY

• excessively loud, or disturbing noise is a
  serious hazard to the public health and welfare
  and the quality of life in a densely populated
  city.
• Solutions to excessive noise can be found
• but may require cooperation among various
  interest groups

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IS EXCESSIVE NOISE A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE?

• Some people feel they have the absolute right to
  make all the noise they want in public and on
  their own property
• Some people are less sensitive to sound than
  others, possibly caused by hearing damage
• Some people dont experience the nuisance of
  offensive noise in their own environment and have
  no interest in the issue.

7
IS EXCESSIVE NOISE A HEALTH ISSUE?

• EPA - yes, exposure to daily levels of noise
  pollution causes hearing loss, hypertension,
  increased blood pressure and headaches
• Excessive noise causes depression in many people
  and can lead to loss of productivity and even
  violence
• When people lose sleep at night, it affects their
  day

8
EPA STANDARDSCOUNTING DECIBELS (DBA)

• Boom Car / Motorcycle 140 dBA
• Jet Takeoff at 100 ft. 140
• PAIN THRESHOLD 125
• Leaf Blower 100
• HEARING LOSS RISK 100
• Gas Powered Lawn Mower 90
• VERY ANNOYING 90
• Traffic Noise 80
• COMFORTABLE 60
• Conversation 50

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NPT ORDINANCE SOUND LEVELS

• Residential
• 700 a.m. to 1000 p.m. 65dBA
• 1000 p.m. to 700 a.m. 55 dBA
• General Business
• 700 a.m. to 100 a.m. 75 dBA
• 100 a.m. to 700 a.m. 55 dBA

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EXEMPTIONS

• emergency work (fire, police or emergency street
  repairs)
• military operations
• licensed fireworks displays
• construction between 7 AM and 9 PM
• The City Council can grant variances

11
ENFORCEMENT

• Any city department
• designated by the City Manager
• can administer and enforce the law

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SPECIFIC TYPES OF NOISE

• Bars and restaurants any cited?
• Motor Vehicles under 35 Mph 76 88 dBA
• Domestic power tools 55 75 dBA
• Disorderly Houses - a residence with at least one
  noise disturbance conviction within a three-year
  period owner or person in control is
  responsible