[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6559046,"mediaKeyId","3219636-31d462f43d4834141fb8ac8fa1549438","parentId",3219636,"title","Residents press town to tighten outdoor‑entertainment rules and measurement methods after repeated noise complaints","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5138000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3219636-31d462f43d4834141fb8ac8fa1549438&start=5138&end=5138","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3219636-31d462f43d4834141fb8ac8fa1549438/thumbnail_5138000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6559046/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Residents-press-town-to-tighten-outdoorentertainment-rules-and-measurement-methods-after-repeated-noise-complaints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559046-c3478b7c668e5a3d24fa60b4709409e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770960521&Signature=hvAEFjL4qsY3ZH-dlw5xKM~0djQgMkwP3yTE-zem05qUUneH0p2LVEu2Ja1wef7ntSZK264D~yTHwcTzxSNiANAODlMbm0n5HUm8cP95tMvWsVmeypuZzYa~thbffLaWFvWUnPpOAchbF-vhlaoP7eOFaRB-v5GsT7pE58zboIUQe3rtw30cX~Tv3SOmNQ4KD-DE-6DtT2pUfb3LjnhV3UYBVbyXJzx7-jYlR9rWbf09eshQzyCHAwrpoHPhLXTUnUXgeXJnAni9ZJ2w7ypUDj20GZpN3I-joMevuUJ~QHtFNXK~GYk5JPFFcclsGg3Ex3tTvOOxuIWPOe4Mz6tUyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of New Shoreham","date","2025-05-08T10:32:04Z","article","Residents, business owners and town officials spent an extended portion of the work session discussing noise from downtown venues and outdoor entertainment, focusing on reports that low‑frequency bass and vibration travel farther and cause substantial disturbance even when traditional decibel readings fall within the existing ordinance limits.

Police leadership said the town will have at least one certified operator and certified equipment available this summer. “I read through the ordinance about 14 different times, and there's nothing in it that said that you need to have a certified operator,” the department head said, and added that he will obtain certification and train additional operators so the town can use measurement tools consistently.

Why it matters: Several residents described repeated sleep disruption, business impacts and vibrations that felt like physical shaking. Speakers and outside experts referenced in the meeting said A‑weighted decibel measurements alone do not capture low‑frequency energy (bass) and vibration; they recommended C‑weighted measurements and additional mitigation measures.

Main points of the discussion and proposed changes

- Measurement method and location: Residents and experts urged measuring at a fixed public location (for example, the sidewalk or property line nearest the venue) rather than only at the complainant’s interior property line, and using both A‑weighted and C‑weighted readings to capture subwoofer and bass energy.

- Equipment certification and third‑party testing: The police chief said the town’s meter was recertified and that staff will take a Rutgers training course; residents proposed requiring periodic third‑party acoustical inspections for venues and adopting a requirement that venues install approved, house‑calibrated sound systems set by an acoustical engineer.

- Restrictions on bass and speaker types: Multiple residents asked the town to prohibit or limit subwoofers and omnidirectional “pool‑noodle” style speakers and to require directional (box) speakers oriented toward the building. In other jurisdictions discussed, towns set limits on low‑frequency content and required house audio systems tuned by a certified engineer.

- Licensing, limits and enforcement: Speakers proposed reducing permitted hours for outdoor amplified entertainment, limiting the number of active outdoor entertainment licenses in concentrated downtown areas, implementing a graduated penalty system (written warning, suspension, revocation), and requiring businesses to demonstrate mitigation (speaker types, orientation, acoustic treatment) as part of licensing.

- Technical and legal follow up: Residents cited research and examples from other Rhode Island towns (East Greenwich, Narragansett) and urged the council to commission legal and acoustical review before changing the ordinance. Several residents recommended using the town’s public‑entertainment license process to add technical requirements and to schedule a follow‑up work session focused on ordinance revisions.

Quotes and clarifications

Cindy (resident) said, describing measured examples and personal experience, that some nights produce readings at her house but that readings do not capture the subjective vibration and wakefulness residents report. “It's really loud. It's really annoying,” she said.

Professor and consultant names were referenced as experts in other towns’ processes; residents asked the town to consult acoustical engineers experienced in low‑frequency issues when drafting changes.

Next steps

Town leadership proposed returning this topic to a dedicated work session within the next few weeks to review specific ordinance changes, measurement protocols (measurement location, A vs. C weighting), and potential pilot programs (house‑system calibration, third‑party inspections). The police department said it will have certified equipment and an operator available during the summer and will train additional staff to use the meter consistently.

Ending note: Participants urged a stakeholder approach that includes venue owners and acoustical experts so the town can adopt enforceable, evidence‑based changes without prolonged litigation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council 5/7/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents and councilors urged New Shoreham leaders to revise the town’s noise and outdoor‑entertainment rules, citing persistent low‑frequency bass and vibration problems that standard A‑weighted decibel readings miss. Police and officials said they will pursue certified meters and further study ordinance changes.","taxTitle","New Shoreham, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79696,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6559050,"Fire chief warns tight laneways and brush risk emergency response delays; town planning and outreach proposed",1188,3114000,4302000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3219636-31d462f43d4834141fb8ac8fa1549438&start=3114&end=4302","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3219636-31d462f43d4834141fb8ac8fa1549438/thumbnail_3114000.jpg","/articles/6559050/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Fire-chief-warns-tight-laneways-and-brush-risk-emergency-response-delays-town-planning-and-outreach-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559050-211e54e0490c648f6dda76f5b5e904c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770960521&Signature=EPPd585h79sZV7CnslhBn3by2X9gh8qqH4Y9hacTn98xPrEKBfWU1XhO3Li0HM1ce~oQvhUZ9pb4ou92ZtpV9rbiSAQh0-Em5yJz8Ci-d7JE64ap4qZxqMbclVvbS3rr29IPBHi2hOfvdbkgZudTy3jQ4HHhw5eFr8CzQ9RwQuftxwuXEMrxyblYrMOs7ivmxqUx5BO81ctfJ2D22mFezkrt1WCi~I64AwipFsIStNZGqx5ss7VUzhL3vAYFwh7MYzYLBbuzN-NAN-iAbQlU~SspKU1SiEvGXRv17Bb9iAzdDW-VvCOMhIrHgMqbJYjIQkb9b7kxhuNUGj0FaYsnuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Block Island Fire Chief (identified in the meeting as Chief Obi) told the New Shoreham work session he has “deep concerns” about narrow laneways, private driveways and accumulated brush that limit emergency access and increase wildfire risk.

“There are some lane ways and driveways… we can’t get in there with an emergency vehicle, an ambulance, fire trucks, etcetera,” Chief Obi said. He asked the town to consider targeted outreach and education to property owners and the rental community and proposed ways to identify and prioritize the worst access locations.

Why it matters: Chief and other participants said limited access could slow firefighting and rescue responses, damage emergency vehicles and increase the chance of property loss in wildland or structural fires. They discussed options to increase resident awareness, protect renters and link clearance requirements to municipal processes.

Proposals discussed

Speakers offered several practical steps: a mailed informational insert with tax bills explaining clearance expectations; distributing flyers and postcards through rental agencies and the town’s short‑term rental database; asking delivery drivers and other commercial visitors to flag problematic driveways; and using town staff to inventory and prioritize trouble spots.

Town staff and residents suggested a phased approach: first a sustained education campaign and a low‑cost reporting mechanism (drivers or town staff mark problem spots), then, after a year of notification and outreach, consider regulatory steps such as requiring proof of cleared access for building permits or short‑term rental licenses.

Technical details and clarifications

Fire personnel suggested a 14-by-14-foot cleared passage as a commonly referenced target for vehicle access; Chief Obi and several speakers acknowledged that older lanes and private rights-of-way may predate those standards and present enforcement challenges. Discussion also noted insurer guidance — reported in the meeting as some companies seeking as much as a 100-foot cleared area around houses in high-risk regions — and that controlled burns are a historical practice but are not a DIY recommendation.

Next steps

Council members and staff proposed placing the laneway/access issue on an upcoming agenda, convening stakeholders (fire, rescue, roads, rental agencies, realtors) and using a mix of postcards, short‑term rental notices and face‑to‑face outreach. Staff also discussed the limits of municipal enforcement on private ways and the need to balance education with any future regulatory approach.

Ending note: Fire officials stressed the problem is long-standing and called for sustained town effort to identify priority locations, notify property owners and build a durable outreach and inspection program rather than a one‑off campaign.","Block Island’s fire chief urged the town to identify narrow private laneways and notify owners, citing several locations where emergency vehicles cannot access homes and urging education, postcards and use of the short-term rental database for outreach.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6559055,"Block Island compost pilot reaches about 20 tons; Conservancy urges transfer-station redesign and funding",2336,269000,2605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3219636-31d462f43d4834141fb8ac8fa1549438&start=269&end=2605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3219636-31d462f43d4834141fb8ac8fa1549438/thumbnail_269000.jpg","/articles/6559055/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Block-Island-compost-pilot-reaches-about-20-tons-Conservancy-urges-transfer-station-redesign-and-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559055-4edaee2ffa5ec4887b16bf9f1588ea31/orig.mp4?Expires=1770960521&Signature=WGoPzcrTGBSleMVbDdR9-mdNeteeGs0~llNFcbxMaFfnc2-eSiscVd8fs8mcbgjclJY5K1AiU4g7pYd92UPSrEQHagqgzKcXU~pIWS2FTzpoUpXh4J2c9ezOKCTy-N7YK2cXABzTyFQVI3FOReildgX-Q3JcWMHdiojBiotrV8elrRkqdwxb9bJtDh7Xqm7p2~6TOYYmlsbhwGr7KsOhLi-x0UhUis6-BdjXglG7XjnOFwhAUvrky0vWB0ZAwTSdqtOxbDhDzQ8inFR20mLwerFFW3l7QMOv2T2S~xRzM-x7N9Xp6hh3F4T3vNEWs1Afri~HIQFLPSadE8Lngks3rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dory Napoleoni, board president of the Block Island Conservancy, told the Town of New Shoreham work session that a year-long compost pilot has processed roughly 18 to 20 tons of food scraps and enrolled more than 250 households and businesses.

“The program, at least I feel it has been very successful and that is largely due to the collaboration between Block Island Conservancy, Block Island Recycling Management, the town, and the community,” Napoleoni said. She described the pilot’s central piece of equipment — an EcoDrum purchased by the conservancy and delivered to the transfer station — and said food-scrap collection began in early June and ramped through the summer.

Why it matters: Pilot organizers said composting locally reduces the number of food-waste trips off-island to the Johnston landfill, lowers greenhouse-gas emissions from long-haul transport and creates a local soil amendment that would otherwise be imported. Organizers and town staff said the pilot’s successes point to the need for a transfer-station redesign that explicitly plans for an expanded compost facility.

What the pilot did and learned

The conservancy applied to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for a permit sized as a medium compost facility; that application was approved in the first quarter of 2024, Napoleoni said. The EcoDrum, a rotating in-vessel unit the conservancy purchased, can accept mixed food waste — including meat, dairy and seafood — which organizers said simplifies participation for households and businesses.

Organizers recorded every pound that went into the drum, mixed food with carbon sources (wood chips or pine shavings) and sent finished material to an accredited lab. Napoleoni said samples were tested at Woodend Laboratory in Maine and that the conservancy will continue periodic lab testing to confirm the compost is safe for soil use.

Operational constraints and fixes

Presenters listed recurring operational issues and near-term fixes: the self-tipping hoppers used for deposit were prone to overfilling and contributed to complaints about flies and odors; the conservancy purchased standard trash cans with fixed lids and a mechanical ‘‘dumper/tipper’’ to replace hoppers and reduce reliance on transfer-station heavy equipment for daily loading. Napoleoni said a small screening shaker has been ordered to speed manual screening and a biofilter is under consideration to reduce odors inside the building.

“We are going to be replacing the hoppers with trash cans with fixed lids…we recently purchased it just arrived last week,” Napoleoni said of the dumper/tipper device intended to let staff load the drum when the transfer station is open rather than only after closing.

Capacity, product and costs

Presentations cited the on‑site EcoDrum’s indicated throughput at roughly 500–600 pounds of food scraps per day when operating at target temperature ranges. Organizers reported filling the drum over the summer and generating finished compost giveaways to program participants; the conservancy covered drop‑off costs for participants during the pilot. Funding so far has come from Block Island Conservancy resources, small contributions from transfer‑station staff, and a grant from the RUSA Foundation.

Expansion and transfer-station planning

Speakers said scaling beyond the pilot raises logistics questions: how to collect food waste from rental properties and restaurants that do not bring trash to the station, where to site additional drums or buildings, and how to incorporate composting into any larger transfer‑station redevelopment so temporary infrastructure (slabs, quonset huts) would not be wasted if the site is redesigned.

Town staff and conservancy members urged the town to start engineering and site‑planning work so a blueprint exists for future development, noting there is $50,000 identified in the upcoming capital budget cycle to begin planning for transfer‑station redevelopment. Conservancy organizers said they would seek grant opportunities and partnerships but that municipal application requirements for many compost grants mean the town’s involvement will be necessary for larger funding.

Next steps and outstanding questions

Organizers recommended continuing the pilot while implementing the hopper-to-trash-can swap, completing the screening equipment purchase, continuing lab testing, and developing a site plan for an expanded compost facility that could be incorporated into a broader transfer‑station redesign. They also identified the absence of a widespread curbside pickup system for rentals and restaurants as a key logistical gap that would require either a new local business or a municipal service to close.

Ending note: The conservancy framed the pilot as a community-driven start that demonstrates local viability but requires municipal planning and funding to scale and be integrated into long-term transfer‑station improvements.","A Block Island Conservancy-led pilot using an EcoDrum processed roughly 18–20 tons of food scraps and signed up more than 250 participants. Presenters told New Shoreham officials the program is operational but needs equipment changes, routing solutions for rental properties and restaurants, and space planning tied to a transfer-station redesign.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press town to tighten outdoor‑entertainment rules and measurement methods after repeated noise complaints

Fire chief warns tight laneways and brush risk emergency response delays; town planning and outreach proposed

Block Island compost pilot reaches about 20 tons; Conservancy urges transfer-station redesign and funding