My letter to City Councilman Peter Cunningham - 03/19/2014
March 19, 2014 at 10:20pmPublicFriendsOnly MeCustomHoboken, New Jersey AreaGo BackMy letter to City Councilman Peter Cunningham -
Dear Councilman Cunningham:
Thank you so much for allowing me to speak openly about the noise issue at tonight's City Council meeting. I appreciate that you listened to my concerns and that you are willing to work with me towards a resolution. As I stated, I am NOT trying to shut down the construction. I understand the need for the remediation and I am fully in support of helping to improve this property…as long as all Hoboken Ordinances are obeyed…and all construction occurs between 8am and 6pm.
I believe PSE&G is BREAKING Hoboken's ordinance on NOISE.
My issue and my question that I raise is that -- if Hoboken is stringent on the construction times from 8am to 6pm (which I am in support of), why then is PSE&G allowed to run these massive AC units throughout the night? As I stated, since they started running the AC units overnight, I've been waking up each night anywhere from 2am to 4am and it's usually difficult for me to go back to sleep with the humming of what sounds like helicopters on my head.
In addition, it's still cold outside, SO, if I can hear the disturbing noise with my windows completely shut, can you imagine if I want to open the windows? And what about the weekends? I just don't understand and I don't think it's fair to the people that live in this area to have to deal with this noise pollution during non-construction hours for the next 2 years.
Currently, it's raining outside and the machines are twice as loud.
There is a massive tent between my apartment and the AC machines. This tent blocks a majority of the sound, but I can still hear the noise and it still affects my sleeping. What happens when they move the tent (we were told the tent would be moved 3 times). If the tent is moved from its current location, the AC machines would be directly in front of my windows with nothing to block out any of the sound…then, it will really cause a disturbance.
I moved out of NEW YORK CITY to get away from all the noise, clutter, and disturbances…and Hoboken was supposed to be that beautiful "suburban" feeling community. However, at times, I sometime wish I lived back in NYC. I'm not trying to be a pest -- I love Hoboken, I love living here, I love the community, the people, the small town feeling…I just want what's best for this community and I want what's best for the people in this community. And I fear that disturbances such as this will scare good citizens (such as myself) out of this thriving area.
If you could, please let me know if PSE&G has a variance to the noise ordinance. And I'd like to know how to proceed from here. I've reached out to a number of surrounding neighbors in my building as well as other buildings and I've asked their opinions. With every single person I've spoken to, they have raised the same concerns and questions and they have thanked me for taking a stand against this noise.
In fact, I've started a Facebook page for people to gain information on the construction noise...and if they agree with my opinion, they have the ability to "LIKE" my page. I hope you will take a moment and visit the page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catch-Citizens-Against-The-Construction-noise-in-Hoboken/369286519880932
So far, I have 18 "LIKES" and 22 supporters including Mayor Zimmer.
Please let me know what's best in terms of contacting you. I can be reached on my cell phone at 310-709-3204 or via this email address. If you have "office hours," I can meet you in person then. I'm willing to work in order to make Hoboken a better community to live in.
Again, thank you -- I really appreciate your assistance with this issue.
1200 Grand Street resident
