New group starts talking about noise

Police chief tells noise study group that noise convictions aren’t easy

BRISTOL – Bristol’s newest effort to quiet things down took its first steps Tuesday night, as Noise Study Committee members elected officers and discussed what they hope to accomplish.

The 16 members of the committee elected Councilor David Barboza to serve as their chairman. Blithewold Executive Director Karen Binder was elected vice chairwoman, and Church Street resident Christy Nadalin was elected secretary.

Council President Kenneth Marshall, who is not on the committee, addressed members and gave his thoughts on what they should strive for.

“As population increases, residential zones encroach upon industrial zones, and industrial zones encroach upon residential zones,” Mr. Marshall said. “It’s only going to get worse unless we put something together that we can utilize as a baseline.”

The committee is made up of a diverse cross-section of the town, including councilors Mr. Barboza and Raymond Cordeiro, Bristol Police Chief Josue Canario and Lt. Steven Contente, zoning officer Ed Tanner, planning board member Nathan Calouro; Peter B. Wilbur, director of planning and project management for Roger Williams University; Joseph Antinucci, 90 Van Wickle Lane; Thomas Pasqual Jr., 37 Prospect St.; David Raposa, 6 Rego Ave.; Gillary’s owner Michael Ferreira, 47 Viking Drive; Stephen Barker, 68 Constitution St.; Anthony Buono, 52 Constitution St.; and former council member Richard Ruggiero, 21 Kingswood Road.

Chief Canario discussed some of the difficulties of enforcing noise complaints. He said since there is no state standard for noise violations, many of the complaints that make it to court are thrown out by judges because the regulations are too inconsistent between communities. The process wastes time and money for the department, which sends officers to court.

Instead of focusing on violations for noise, Chief Canario said, the department looks for other charges that will stick in court and not be thrown out.

Chief Canario said since September, 35 people have been charged for underage drinking and five people have been arrested for furnishing alcohol to minors stemming from complaints of loud house parties.

“We’re looking for the recipe to bake this cake very favorable for all of us,” Chief Canario said. “My philosophy is we pick and choose battles, but we win the war.”

Issues surrounding motorcycle noise were the primary focus during the first meeting.

In the last year, Chief Canario said, the department has cited 53 motorcyclists for driving with inappropriate equipment during random traffic stops in town. He said many motorcyclists who drive illegal vehicles got the word that the Bristol Police were on the lookout for violations and avoided town.

Mr. Baker said he has heard anecdotes that the priest at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church has to stop services at times during the summer when groups of motorcycles go by because he cannot hear.

Mr. Barboza said not all motorcyclists are driving loud bikes, but the “testosterone level” of some riders is the problem; they like to hear their bikes vibrate off buildings in town.

“It’s a small percentage, but it’s a small percentage that’s contributing to a large percentage of the noise problems,” Mr. Barboza said.

The next Noise Study Committee meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5., at Town Hall.

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