Lenox Street Neighborhood Residents Air Grievances Over Commercial Noise and Heavy Traffic-October 10, 1985

Roughly 15 residents from the Lenox Street neighborhood brought their frustrations directly to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night, complaining that nearby commercial and industrial operations are severely disrupting their quality of life with loud nighttime activity and heavy daytime traffic congestion.

“People have a right to sleep,” Selectmen Chairman John Kinnaly stated during the session. “It’s causing a public nuisance.”

In response to the complaints, selectmen agreed to invite local business owners to a joint public meeting with neighborhood residents to negotiate practical solutions.

Residents Cite Noise and Safety Hazards

Homeowners outlined a series of specific grievances regarding commercial properties in and around their neighborhood:

• Mt. Blue News Agency: Located on Broadway, the newspaper distribution company’s frequent nighttime truck deliveries were singled out for regularly waking residents in the middle of the night.
• Kline’s Department Store: Situated on Washington Street, operations here were cited for contributing to local noise and traffic congestion.
• Norwood Stamping & Lindberg Heat Treating Co.: Both industrial facilities located directly on Lenox Street were also included in the residents’ complaints regarding operational disturbances.

Residents emphasized that the day-to-day conditions have become untenable. Rose Fruci of Lenox Avenue pointed out that heavy commercial traffic poses a severe safety hazard for drivers and pedestrians alike, noting, “You can’t even let a kid play around in the front yard.”

Joseph Nardelli, a 26-year resident of Lenox Street, reflected on how the character of his neighborhood has drastically shifted over the decades. Once a peaceful residential area coexisting alongside light industry, Nardelli remarked, “That whole area has gotten saturated with industry.”

Town Officials Point to Zoning Complexities

Town Manager John Carroll acknowledged the gravity of the situation, explaining that the conflict is deeply rooted in historical town planning.

“It’s a complicated problem and it’s all related to zoning,” Carroll said, pointing out the inherent friction of having a residential community situated directly across the street from heavy industrial zones. As a permanent remedy, he suggested that town officials explore comprehensive rezoning options for the district.

Additionally, Carroll announced he would direct the police safety officer to conduct an immediate review of the neighborhood’s pressing traffic complaints.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger