Millville, Noise, A School & Politics

17 October 2009 @ 12:25 | Posted in » Education, New Jersey, Politics

As if Millville didn’t already have enough political strife, there’s another issue that is rumbling through town. The location of the new high school Millville Public Schools wants is beginning to be the NIMBY issue du jour.

I sympathize. Two of the preferred sites are near me, one even within walking distance. Just last week I spoke with someone nearby about the project. Our area hasn’t organized anything.

The Smith Road residents, on the other hand, have become vocal. Interestingly, Commissioner Derella is in that neighborhood as is Millville Parks and Public Property Superintendent Liz Nicke. Derella has stated he is “adamantly against” the Smith Road location. It sounds as though the state really likes the area as there is room for growth and the area is projected for commercial growth. The current problem, notwithstanding the vocal “prominent” residents, is that there is not adequate sewer and water connections at the site. The state does not pay for the infrastructure for new schools. The City Commission has vowed not to pay a dime extra for the cost of the school. I do applaud the tenacity.

So other sites are being looked at.

Commissioner Derella shared last month that a new site was found by some guy sitting in the parking lot of the Wawa on Wade Boulevard. Many like this location as it is already in a traficked area, near the current high school, and back away from residents as the entry to the professional park. The problem with the site is that there is a rail line nearby and hazardous materials are transported along that line.

That brings us to the two on Cedar Road. One is the farm across from the airport. I believe this is Ingraldi’s property, but am not certain. I walk by here frequently on my geogolf courses. According to Jason Laday’s article in The News:

A downside there includes added construction costs toward soundproofing against noise from the municipal airport and the New Jersey Motorsports Park.

Huh?

The state thinks it’s too noisy at this location for a regular school. If it were to build a school there, it would have to invest in soundproofing materials. The reasons cited are the airport and the motorsports park.

Millville passed a noise ordinance prior to the construction of the motorsports park. To be in violation, sounds at 80db or higher need to be sustained for 20 minutes, otherwise life is peaceful. The City Commission has stated the readings have never reached 80db for 20 minutes.

So, if life is so peaceful along Cedar Road, why would the state need to soundproof a building it is considering building?

If the school requires soundproofing, then how can the City Commission deny there is a noise problem? Note that Commissioner Finch as well as Mayor Shannon are members of the Green Flag Committee at the racetrack.

The Green Flag Committee works to inform the general public of the features and benefits of NJMP and related Millville Airport tourism centers as anchor projects for revenue enhanced tourism, and to provide operational support for NJMP charitable events and related social and public affairs. In addition, the Green Flag Committee works in close partnership with regional non-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, and public schools.

According to some, the noise is only on the weekends in the afternoon. School is not in session at that time. Why would the soundproofing be needed then?

Up until now those who have voiced concerns about the noise have been told they are complainers. Read the comments to this post of Mark Krull’s. Here is Carl Johnson’s take on those who are bothered by the noise.

I wonder if these folks, and the others who populate The Daily Journal’s site, will stand up to the state. Will the commissioners share NJMP’s report that there are no noise violations at the site? Will someone remind the state that Millville’s noise ordinance is illegal, and the state has exempted racetracks from any noise violations?

Hmmm . . .

I cannot see how the state can soundproof a school here and have the Millville City Commission deny there is a noise problem. Of course, we’re dealing with government so anything’s possible.