Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 Silencing the Sound WIN Waste Innovations offi cial credits a $2.39 B new silencer system with keeping the noise level down in recent turbine shutdown By Mark E. Vogler oard of Health members are happy about what they are hearing – or not hearing – this summer related to the noise emanating from the WIN Waste Innovations trash-to-energy plant on Route 107 in Saugus. Usually in the past, the board would field numerous neighborhood complaints about disruptive noise every time a turbine tripped and had to be shut down for maintenance at the former Wheelabrator plant. But things have been quiet so far this summer – even after the recent tripping of a turbine at the plant – an incident that would draw numerous neighborhood complaints in recent years. The installation of the new silencer at a cost of $750,000 is responsible for the lack of noise from the plant and the absence of complaints from the neighborhood, according to WIN Waste Innovations VP Peter DiCecco. “The newly installed silencer worked very well – worked like a charm,” DiCecco told the Board of Health during a Wednesday night (July 14) meeting conducted virtually via Zoom videoconferencing. DiCecco told the board that there were “no audible sounds from that silencer.” “It’s good seeing the investment there coming to fruition and doing its job,” DiCecco said. “Probably a year ago, you would probably be talking about it right now,” he added. Board of Health Chair William Heffernan was pleased with the progress the company has made in drastically reducing the sound. “Kudos to your team,” Heff ernan told DiCecco. “I heard about it,” he said of the recent turbine shutdown. “I did not receive any phone calls, which is odd when the turbine seems to go down,” Heff ernan said. “I just want to say ‘thank you’ to you and your entire team. That was a worthwhile investment and it seems to be paying off already. So, thank you very much,” he said. A consultant hired by WIN Waste Innovations determined that the new silencer installed at the plant this past spring could reduce the noise level from 96 decibels to 70 decibels – roughly the diff erence between the sound of a power mower and a vacuum cleaner. WIN Waste Innovations learned of the less-noisy alternative as a result of an ongoing consultant’s engineering study being performed as a condition of a state Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) consent order in response to numerous citizen noise complaints and enforcement action initiated by the Saugus Board of Health about two years ago. The noise emanating from the plant generated frequent complaints from Saugus, Revere and Lynn. But the Board of Health received no recent complaints from people in the three communities who were irked by the noise in the past, according to Heff ernan. In his briefing of Board of Health members, DiCecco noted other improvements at the plant, including a new fi re alarm system call box that has been programmed and is scheduled to be tested next week by the Saugus Fire Department. Heff ernan asked DiCecco for the company’s explanation of another recent instance of a company hauling low level radioactive wastes to the Saugus plant. DiCecco deferred to Plant Manager Chris Bourque for an explanation. Bourque told the Board of Health that censors at the plant detected the presence of a radioactive material – probably iodine – and the material was removed from the truck and processed. “I’ve seen two of these incidents in the last six months,” Heffernan said. “The censors worked as necessary,” he said. “It’s nice to know that when something gets in there before it gets into the plant, that you are able to fl ag it,” he said. Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Announces Vaccine Mandate for All Employees C Banking with a hometown touch. Open a free checking account with no monthly fees, and get access to Mobile Banking, Bill Pay and other features. Because no matter where you go, we’re right by you. Call or visit us to sign up. 419 BROADWAY, EVERETT MA 02149 61 7-38 7 - 1 1 10 7 7 1 SALEM ST, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 781-7 76- 4444 WWW.EVERET TBANK . COM HESLEA AND PEABODY, MA (July 2021) – Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, a highly respected leader in healthcare with campuses in Chelsea and Peabody, announced today that it will require all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Chelsea Jewish Lifecare is a founding member of Legacy Lifecare, a network of not-forprofit organizations that also includes JGS Lifecare VACCINE | SEE PAGE 12 Adam Berman President/CEO of Legacy Lifecare THIS WEEK ON SAUGUS TV Sunday, July 18 from 9 to 11:00 p.m. on Channel 8 – “Sunday Night Stooges” (The Three Stooges). Monday, July 19 all day on Channel 8 – “Movie Monday” (classic movies). Tuesday, July 20 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – Planning Board Meeting from July 15. Wednesday, July 21 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – Board of Health Meeting from July 14. Thursday, July 22 at 7 p.m. on Channel 9 – Board of Appeals Meeting ***live***. Friday, July 23 at 6 p.m. on Channel 8 – In the Beginning with John Gouvalaris. Saturday, July 24 at 1:30 p.m. on Channel 8 – MBTA Bus Right by you. Member FDIC Member DIF Network Redesign Meeting. Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8, 9 & 22. For complete schedules, please visit www.saugustv.org. ***programming may be subject to change without notice***
3 Publizr Home