The Yonkers City Council has voted to make Yonkers radically noisier.   They raised daytime noise levels to 85 decibels - loud enough to cause hearing damage - and nighttime levels to 65 decibels, far exceeding health guidelines.

Unbelievably, the  council later doubled down on high noise limits. With no public notice, the council voted in June, 4-2, to affirm their discredited noise policy.

To make matters worse, the City for months ignored Freedom of Information requests and appeals. We were forced to initiate litigation, which remains unsettled. However, with court dates looming, the city finally began to release documents. They have revealed that the noise ordinance was initiated by an ethically challenged Council Member to reward a major campaign donor.

We, your constituents, demand the Council reverse its reckless and uninformed votes to make the city noisier. It would be a first step toward a more transparent, accountable government. Initiate the noise policy study you've promise to undertake. Craft a policy that promotes a healthy environment and preserves the quality of life in our neighborhoods

We thank former Council Member Merante and Council Member Breen who voted against the ordinance.  We thank Council Member Pineda Isaac who has shown the courage to reconsider her vote and also thank Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, who has also come out publicly for a new look at the ordinance.

The health impact of noise is well-documented. Excessive noise:

• Damages hearing and increases risk of heart disease
• Impairs children's learning and cognitive development
• Disrupts sleep and mental health
• Hits hardest in our most vulnerable communities

The Council is capable of better decision making.  In 2005, when the previous noise ordinance was instituted, the Council worked with leading noise experts to create well thought out noise policies (see here for more).

For more information and research on urban noise impacts, visit www.quieteryonkers.org 

For more perspective on this series of bungled Council votes, we recommend this Aug. 5 piece by Phil Zisman in the Yonkers Ledger.