Policy Order O-12

WHEREAS: Air traffic over Cambridge has increased considerably in recent months; and

WHEREAS: Noise associated with new air traffic patterns from Logan International Airport, smaller airplanes, and helicopters can be as high as 75 decibels or more on the ground at various hours of the day; and

WHEREAS: There is an ongoing discussion about the noise impacts of these new patterns; and

WHEREAS: Cambridge could better participate in these discussions if it had relevant data about the decibel levels and times associated with overhead planes; and

WHEREAS: Equipment exists to provide ongoing noise measurement for relatively low cost; now be it therefore

ORDERED: That the Council go on record expressing concern about the increased noise in Cambridge due to new airplane patterns and the lack of solid data about the level and times of these noise disturbances; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with relevant City staff to design, fund and implement an ongoing noise measurement program in the current budget year that utilizes sufficient equipment to measure ongoing noise issues; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.