By Guy Page
Senate Transportation Thursday morning took testimony pro and con on S. 66, which creates fines and a ‘citizen reporting system’ by which truck engines and brakes emitting noise above permitted decibel levels can be reported to law enforcement for violations punishable by fines.
Critics of the bill say the violation would be determined by decibel levels, the law raises the possibility of citizens standing on roadsides with decibel meters, visible to truckers, who then would be motivated to go light on the brakes – even in potentially unsafe situations.
A spokesman for the Massachusetts not-for-profit Quiet Communities said noise can lead to diabetes and even death. Also, Greensboro resident Nancy Sullivan complained of the ‘piercing noise’ that makes conversation outdoors impossible.
One former Barre resident said she moved to a quiet part of Berlin because of the occasional procession of touring Harley Davidson motorcyles past her house. “I’m still traumatized by it,” Susan Britto said with tears. “It became unbearable with constant road noise.”
She noted that in other communities, collected fines pay for the enforcement of anti-noise ordinances.
Spokespersons for the trucking industry and businesses reliant on trucks – such as the grocery industry – expressed concern about how the proposed noise restrictions on brakes could limit safety.
Eric Wyson of Wyson Trucking, a Massachusetts firm making deliveries in Vermont, said “I believe the S66 bill would have unintended consequences.” Vermont has a lot of steep hills and limiting the use of brakes could be dangerous, he said.
Jim Kurrle of Bourne’s Energy (heating fuel distributors) said “safe brakes are an essential safety tool” and that “limiting or penalizing their use without considering safety is dangerous…. We should not impose unnecessary regulations that could limit safety.”
Kurrle also advanced concerns about the cumulative impact of over-regulation. “Is Vermont creating another barrier to business that might make them want to operate elsewhere?” Kurrle asked.
The bill’s critics added that the brake inspections required in the bill are redundant (already handled in annual inspections) and also problematic as they require the inspections be performed by techs working for a company’s competitors.
Testifying in opposition were Rob Kidd of the Sierra Club and Karen Akins of Stowe, producer of an anti-noise pollution film called “The Quietest Year.”
No decision was made. “We will be having a discussion in committee,” Sen. Richard Westman (R-Lamoille) said.
Generous heating fuel dealers – the Vermont Fuel Dealers ‘Split the Ticket’ program has delivered 125,000 gallons of fuel at no cost to needy customers since the program’s inception over a decade ago. The heating fuel is delivered as available and as needed on a case-by-case basis, with the VFDA and individual dealers splitting the cost. VFDA funding is derived from donors who want to provide tangible help to needy neighbors at risk.
Rare Disease Advisory Council proposed – A large coalition of Vermont’s health-related advocacy groups are calling on the Legislature to pass H.46, sponsored by Rep. Mary Katherine Stone (D-Burlington), to establish a Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC).
A rare disease, as defined by the federal Orphan Drug Act, is any condiction affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans, which collectively afflict an estimated one in 10 Americans, the National Organization for Rare Disorders states. Currently 30 states have enacted an RDAC.