Lanesborough News: Complaints Continue at Motocross TrackBy Al Hartheimer
Lanesborough News
01:56PM / Sunday, July 06, 2008
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LANESBOROUGH — Motocross track owner Peter Beaudoin had until July 3 to pay fines related to noise complaints at the track, town Administrator Paul Boudreau told Selectmen at their meeting last week.
Despite a cease-and-desist order from the Board of Health, Beaudoin has apparently continued to use the track on his North Main Street property. Police reported a total of 19 complaints dating from June 3 through July 1, as of early last week. Beaudoin has been fined $850 for violations prior to June 3.
The Board of Health meets Monday, July 7. Beaudoin has asked that his family and friends be allowed to use the track; his neighbors have opposed any use of the track.
Al Hartheimer requested that the Selectmen reconsider the idea of getting sound-level readings at the track. Beaudoin has complained that no sound readings have been taken to determine the noise level.
Hartheimer said the cease-and-desist order was not based on sound levels, rather it was based on the fact that the noise from the track is a public nuisance regardless of the sound level. Also, if such readings were taken, they would satisfy no one, they would only be the starting point for further discussion and would not achieve the desired end, he said.
Boudreau reported that to take such readings would be quite expensive and that the town has no budget for them. The Selectmen decided to have further discussions with the Board of Health before deciding what action to take, if any. Boudreau said, that with reference to fines, if they are not paid they become a criminal offence. Mr. Prendergast asked why the Conservation Commission issues have not been addressed.
In other business:
- Al Terranova of Churchill Street asked when the Churchill Street drainage problems will be addressed. For that project, engineering work is complete and it is first on the list for 2009 he was told.
- Susan Bristol requested a 5 percent refund for the health insurance premiums paid by her mother, a town retiree, retroactive to July 1, 2006, as was agreed upon at town meeting. The Selectmen will have exact figures and will act on this request at the next meeting.
- Regarding the complaints about Zen's Dawg House, board members agreed there had been good progress. A new parking lot is under construction which should relieve the parking complaints. The owner is cooperating fully to relieve all complaints and the board urged patience.
- Boudreau reported that interviews for the position of highway laborer have been concluded, that references are being checked and that there will be a recommendation at the next meeting.
- Boudreau also reported that he has received a bid of $30,000 for painting Town Hall and that he will be advertising for further bids.
- The board voted unanimously to retire gas service at 5 Narragansett Ave. as requested by Berkshire Gas Co.
- The board voted unanimously to change the name of Mall Road to Route 7/8 Connector Road as requested by the Baker Hill Road District.
- Leon Lazarovich of 20 Bailey Road reported that as a result of the work to solve the drainage problem there, the road level over the culvert is 1 to 1 1/2 feet higher than the rest of the driveway and that has created a new drainage problem.
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