Aircraft noise from Logan Airport has long been a challenge for Chelsea’s leadership as they work to secure assistance from state and federal authorities in reducing the impact of jet traffic over the city.
At Monday’s meeting, District 6 City Councillor Giovanni Recupero brought forward an order directing City Manager Tom Ambrosino to explore renegotiating an agreement with Massport to restore the window and soundproofing initiative that previously served residents.
“People deserve a little more consideration
than they have been given,” Recupero stated.
Recupero expressed his desire for Massport to resume providing soundproof windows to residents experiencing severe noise disruption from aircraft, a service the authority had previously offered.
“I’d like to get them back to the table and
figure out a way to help with the problem,” Recupero added.
Councillor-At-Large Roy Avellaneda acknowledged Recupero’s push to bring Massport back into negotiations regarding noise reduction measures, though he expressed skepticism about the likelihood of success.
“Whenever the City Manager has approached
Massport, the answer has been that it is a nonstarter; they have done their
program,” Avellaneda remarked.
Avellaneda explained that he has been collaborating with City Manager Tom Ambrosino to identify a qualified firm to conduct an independent noise assessment of airport operations. He noted, however, that locating such a company has proven challenging.
Should an appropriate firm be identified to perform an independent sound study, Avellaneda indicated he would seek backing from the council.
Avellaneda highlighted a recent development, noting his attendance at a Massport gathering with airport-affected communities where officials announced that a new Massport sound study is in progress. According to Avellaneda, this study will examine factors overlooked in the 2017 study, including how terrain affects sound propagation and aircraft noise resonance.
The 2017 study was completed by the Center for Research on Environmental and Social Stressors in Housing Across the Life Course (CRESSH), an arm of the BU School of Public Health.
The 2017 report documented that flight activity over Chelsea nearly doubled from 2011 to 2015 and indicated that Chelsea residents face elevated health risks linked to aircraft noise.
Persuading Massport to fund further noise mitigation measures has remained difficult.
“Confronted with the increase in air
traffic, their response has been, ‘But our planes are quieter,’” Avellaneda noted.
Since the 2017 airport noise study was released, Avellaneda has been advocating for the independent noise study.
“We (can) do a real noise study with proper
equipment and prepare to say we have proof that our community is impacted and
possibly prepare to embark on a lawsuit against MassPort and the FAA,” he remarked at that time.
•The Council voted unanimously to send a home rule petition to the state legislature enabling construction of the new Innes Housing Development.
•Recupero introduced an order requesting that the City Manager consider hiring an additional animal control officer to enforce penalties against residents who fail to pick up after their pets.
•Councillor-At-Large Leo Robinson submitted orders seeking updates from the City Manager regarding the city’s master plan and the status of the Salvation Army building on Broadway. In 2017, the Council approved acquiring the building through eminent domain.
•District 1 Councillor Robert Bishop did not attend Monday’s meeting due to a special occasion—he was marking his 35th wedding anniversary with his wife. Congratulations to the Bishops on this milestone.