Newton North Construction Site Could Get Noisy This Week

Neighbors of the old Newton North construction site may notice a bit more noise pollution this week.

According to an email sent to the Newton North Liaison Committee from Newton Chief Operating Officer Bob Rooney, construction crews have requested a noise waiver for the evening of Tuesday, July 5 to the morning Friday, July 8 in order to run a generator on the site. 

The generator, which must run in 24-hour periods, is needed to pump out water in a hole where the old high school's oil tanks used to rest. 

"Every effort will be made to reduce the impact of any noise from the generator," Rooney said in the email, adding that he is going to check the noise level during a test run Tuesday during the day. If the generator creates too much noise, Rooney says the permit will be rescinded and the city will look at other options to drain the hole. 

Rooney explained that the 30-foot by 10-foot-deep hole that used to house the oil tanks is full of water due to high groundwater. The hole must be drained before it is filled with solid material.

In addition, Rooney said the water must be filtered before it is discharged due to oil residue left from the tanks. Running the pump for 24-hours is necessary otherwise the hole will fill up again overnight, bringing the project back to where it started.

The process may take just one or two nights, however, Rooney noted in the email that it could last until Friday morning. 

At a School Committee meeting last month, Vice Chair Reenie Murphy noted that demolition . Once the area is cleared, parking lots and additional athletic fields will be installed for the next door.