LETTER: Expect To Revise The Noise Ordinance In Windsor Locks

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — In case you missed it…

On Tuesday, October 12, 7:30pm, a Windsor Locks Town Meeting was convened for the purpose of introducing, discussing, and acting upon four ordinances. The first two (Blight and Streets and Sidewalk Maintenance) were to revise, the second two (Litter and Noise) were to adopt.
Ordinances are to improve the well-being of the Town as well as every resident. Interestingly, on the fourth and final ordinance, the First Selectman handed the Noise Ordinance to Selectman Harrington to read it. Huh. Why’s that? Read on.

For over two years and several Board of Selectmen Meetings, I’ve listened as fellow residents have spoken time and again for a Noise Ordinance. Selectmen Harrington and Storms campaigned on a Noise Ordinance. Selectman Storms wrote it and re-wrote it, all the while studying and gleaning parts from other Connecticut Town Noise Ordinances. Selectmen Harrington and Storms requested that the ordinance be sent for the required review by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP CT). Once the review was complete, the Noise Ordinance would be ready, if approved by our citizens at the Town Meeting, for implementation. Selectmen Harrington and Storms would find out that the First Selectman had never forwarded the Ordinance to DEEP CT for that necessary review. Huh.

An impassioned plea by resident Alan Stegman, along with several residents in attendance, related the history and hours and hours spent trying to get something passed over more than two years. (Note: Several of these same residents had brought forward time and again concerns about the Travelodge. Parties until 5am, roads blocked, and so on.) Alan was ping ponged by the First Selectman. He told him to go to the Police Commission, go to P & Z, no wait, he asked why he went to P & Z. To make a long story short, Alan then received an email from Selectman Kervick telling him that due to his perceived opposition to the All Sports Village, Chris would not move on the Noise Ordinance. Alan also related to the crowd that he was told that First Selectman Kervick had sent out an email asking folks to come and defeat the Ordinance. Huh.

A number of folks summoned by email to attend and defeat the noise ordinance, instead, to their credit, stayed, listened, and except for the employee and one stalwart, voted to approve the Noise Ordinance for the benefit of the Town and their fellow citizens. As Selectman Storms said, “yes it’s clumsy, but we need to start somewhere”. Yes, as the first two ordinances were revised on Tuesday, we can expect to revise the Noise Ordinance.

Funny, it never went to DEEP despite a request by the Board of Selectmen, Harrington and Storms. A resident, at the Town meeting, asked why it hadn’t gone to DEEP? No answer. Evidently, the First Selectman decided not to forward it. So, his admonishments to the Board of Finance about citizens making decisions during our Town Meeting form of government is insincere. Only citizens who agree with First Selectman Kervick may express their voice. Elections have consequences.

At the next BOS Meeting, let’s confirm that the ordinance is on its way to DEEP. Thank you to Alan, Gail, Kitty, other residents, and Selectmen Harrington and Storms. “Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent” said Cal.

It was a good night. Walk around the rake Chris, walk around it.

Lacinda van Gieson
Windsor Locks

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