DEC and Harvard neighbors continue discussion of Evergreen noise into April

After hearing proposals from Harvard neighbors and their experts last month for a change to its protocol for regulating Evergreen factory noise, the Devens Enterprise Commission (DEC) resumed discussion of the protocol at an early morning meeting this Tuesday. At the end of two hours, the DEC agreed to continue the conversation at its April 8 meeting.

“We are listening,” said Peter Lowitt, DEC’s chief administrator. The DEC staff, he said, wants to be sure that the DEC commissioners fully understand the issues the neighbors have raised about Evergreen noise and the protocol the DEC uses to determine compliance.

The public meetings are being held at the request of the Harvard selectmen, who complained last year that the DEC had rushed approval of its protocol without allowing adequate time for Harvard residents and their experts to present their case in public. The discussion may or may not lead to changes in the protocol.

Meanwhile, the current protocol, which the DEC adopted in December, remains in effect, with both DEC and Evergreen consultants tracking noise levels daily at two plant locations. Though Evergreen noise occasionally spikes above protocol limits, said DEC Staff Planner Neal Angus this week, these incidents have been due to construction and other intermittent sounds, which are permitted under DEC regulations. At all other times, data gathered daily from plant monitors show Evergreen operating well within protocol limits. The neighbors argue that these limits are too high and that they continue to be bothered by noise from the plant. The DEC received two formal complaints from Harvard residents in February.

Ultimately, says Lowitt, his staff will suggest options to the commissioners, but not before everyone is satisfied that all sides have had their say.

—John Osborn