First, we would like to thank Troy, Michigan for finally responding to our request for the actual decibel level of noise allowed at 600 W Maple, 65 decibels when no traffic noise. It only took eight months!
Code 39.12.06 is what you are required to enforce, we expect this now more than ever.
It is this simple to us, no traffic noise over 65 decibels means no noise over 65 decibels from 600 W Maple at or past the property boundary. It is surprising to most how few cars are on W Maple at night, almost none in fact.
The Troy, Michigan city attorney wrote a letter. In this dismissive, yet threatening letter it listed no dates, times or levels of sound readings. The letter did not include any actual results at all. Only a statement saying their results clearly establish that our complaint is unfounded. These results were admittedly taken in the middle of winter yet they are in regards to a complaint against refrigerator units on trucks in a parking lot running loud due to the heat. Does this study sound conclusive to anyone at all? She is claiming this study is the reason we should stop complaining. This ignorance, whether willful or not, seems to be the core flaw with most Troy, Michigan officials. This should concern residents of Troy, Michigan and the surrounding areas.
Also cited in the letter was a noise ordinance but some of it has been removed. We thought we should post the old part recently and conveniently removed. The part in bold was recently changed/removed.
As originally taken from website in August 2011
“39.90.08
Noise:
The emission of measurable noises from the premises shall not exceed sixty-five (65) decibels as measured at the boundary property line, except that where normal street traffic noises exceed sixty-five (65) decibels during such periods, the measurable noise emanating from premises may equal, but not exceed such traffic noises. Within M-1 districts sound levels not exceeding seventy (70) decibels may be permitted. In addition, objectionable sounds of an intermittent nature, or characterized by high frequencies even if falling below the aforementioned decibel readings shall be controlled so as not to become a nuisance to adjacent uses.”
What this means is that when traffic is loud, the trucks can be as loud but when the traffic is not loud, they cannot exceed 65 decibels. It also used to go on to clarify that if any objectionable sounds are a nuisance to the adjacent uses, they need to be controlled. Our living space is most certainly an adjacent use and we most certainly objected on record since July 2011. Asking for code enforcement and abatement is a method of control.
Pinpointing the noise ordinance actually empowered us. Also knowing there is no time limitations and this health crime needs to be controlled to below 65 decibels anytime the traffic is quiet will be a refreshing and peaceful change this summer. Well that is, if it is finally enforced.
The letter certainly did the opposite of intimidation. With it you have helped us, even if it was unintentional.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
–Mohandas Gandhi
Glad to see you are reading this!
Now let’s hope you can improve, as we all want to live peacefully. We should express compassion and understanding to all human beings, even the misguided authorities.
But…
STOP BEING BULLIES, WE DO NOT ACCEPT THAT!
It’s working and they are listening! Keep up the good work and thank you to all the supporters, your encouraging words and actions are great!
As for the Nestle trucking issue, we find it strange that they take sound readings when the trailers’ refrigerated units are off or the trucks are not even there at the time of monitoring. We do hope they are taking decibel readings WHILE the generators are running and the diesel trucks are there, especially the tanker truck that fills them with gas every night. The nuisance problem occurs every night, but the disturbance is intermittent, especially in the cold due to the thermostats turning the compressors and generators off and on.
It is time for concern. Troy, Michigan has some very serious health and social problems right now. From the top down the city seems out-of-touch with reality, but it is much worse than that. The city of Troy, especially it’s politicians and police, show they are ignorant to civil liberties, seemingly unwilling to uphold their oath and threatening to peaceful, compatible living as reaffirmed by the Bill of Rights.
Their mission statement is, “The mission of the City of Troy Police Department is the protection of life, property and human rights, through law enforcement service.”
I say BULL! They don’t express like they even know what human rights and equality ARE, let alone how to protect them! Their mission statement should be “Revenue through the myth of law and order.” They seem to only care about revenue! They do not seem to be protectors of freedom but mere sales agents of the city or state that collect revenue anyway they can.
They MUST be held to a higher standard and be held accountable. Most cannot even hear properly from my experience with them. I have video proof of their lack of judgment and their inept senses and I will be sharing it all. As a matter of fact, they claim they can’t even hear this:
Here’s one of the trucks almost hitting a police car:
These refrigerated trucks are loud and the noise and vibration can be heard and felt over 1000 feet away. The trailers sit with the generators going full blast all evening and all night. They all leave between 5-7AM and the noise stops. They are quiet during business hours and VERY loud during sleep hours. Troy has noise laws written to protect from this kind of health risk but choose not to enforce them. This poor judgment should worry all of Troy, Michigan.
We have been trying to get them to address and abate a health crime at 600 W Maple for six months and they are “less than interested” in helping. They even insulted and attacked me verbally (also physically) as a means of trying to avoid actually doing work or investigating to resolve it. The business is the big corporation, Nestle, which explains the reason they really won’t do anything. The corporate $$$ again, and just like good salesmen they cannot hurt that revenue stream, even if the health crime hurts children. Doing the right thing just doesn’t pay the bills like Nestle Trucking does, eh rabbit?
Please let them know if these health crimes are affecting you in any way by writing or by calling the city of Troy if you choose. I would like to talk to them about it but they have requested an order to prevent me from verbally talking to the business and also to stop me from reporting the crime to them (one of their direct violations of the 1st amendment). This will not stop me from attempting to make my family safer! I will not stop telling EVERYONE else, instead. It would be irresponsible of me to not try to abate this health crime, so I must.
This will eventually get resolved and they will abate the health crime, we know it and they know it. Then, hopefully they will also apologize for their ignorant and dismissive approach.
Noise is not only pollution, but it is a real health risk that is being ignored or willfully let to continue. http://noiseoff.org has some great info on the health risks of low frequency noise and vibrations.
Please help make the city better and let them know how you feel, also share how you feel in the comments.
Together we can stop corporate over reach and the abuse of police immunity along with the ignorant intolerance almost the entire city administration seems to exhibit. We need to document each case of ignorance, intolerance, misuse and abuse to stop them before someone gets seriously hurt or killed.
I would like to also point out that the desk is staffed by both a very polite, well mannered person, but also the rudest young man I have ever met. Thank you to the nice man for his attempts at helping and explaining, and no thanks to the young smirking dismissive man (who knows who he is). We will pray for him. Please encourage training for the officers on how to talk to people, how to be aware and reaffirm their oath and include a constitutional and human rights review course please.
We would like to see a police review board made up of citizens created and soon. We see authority abuse far worse than this and it should be a warning of how far over the line they could possibly go. “A good cop” would want police review and it is a simple litmus test if they accept it or not as to the current level of possible system and city neglect and oppression. The desperate economy is making the city sell out some of our protections for a quick buck.
Cannot allow any ignorance, intolerance and abuse to go unnoticed.
Be watching and documenting. The light is shining on Troy, Michigan so please do better from now on and maybe you will be forgiven!
Start with a simple concept, doing your job and doing it with honor and truth instead of revenue and ignorance. Remind yourself that your “little” revenue are human beings that need respect (and sleep).
Nestle has many larger reasons to BOYCOTT. Check them out here.
BOYCOTT NESTLE
BOYCOTT TROY