MINOT – Hemond’s Moto-X Park appears to be in violation of the town’s noise ordinance, according to a noise study commissioned by neighbors of the Woodman Hill Road facility.

Steve Ambrose told the Planning Board Tuesday night that initial noise readings that he took during July 6 races were under 55 decibels; but when a north wind came up, he found results ranging toward 60 decibels.

The town’s ordinance limits noise levels at property boundaries to 55 decibels.

The readings were taken on Woodman Hill Road (Route 119) and, while the Hemond’s own 500 acres, the track is only about 300 feet from Woodman Hill Road, according to Donald Hemond.

Tom Lovett, who did a noise study at the track in early May, found that the results of Ambrose’s study were not too far out of line with the results he found with the exception that Lovett claimed that the ambient noise levels were considerably higher than the ones Ambrose reported.

Planning Board Chairman John Geismar, indicating the board’s willingness to work with both the Hemond’s and the neighbors toward an accommodation, asked how the noise might be reduced.

Ambrose said that the only really effective way would be to reduce the noise the dirt bikes make. “You’ve got to quiet the source, that’s the most powerful means (adequate mufflers) would penalize all riders equally,” said Ambrose.

Serae Hemond said that she has been working to reduce the noise problem at the track. She pointed out that they have hired a referee who visually checks to see if the dirt bikes have AMA legal exhausts. Hemond noted that, this year, they’ve told three bikers to leave the track for violations.

Sue Champagne, a neighbor who lives at Center Minot Hill Road, said that she had noticed some improvement but that didn’t change the fact that the track was in clear violation of noise limits.

“People have to leave their houses on weekends,” said Champagne.

Lovett said he was highly confident that the track can meet the requirements of the noise ordinance, given time to educate riders.

Ken Champagne questioned Serae Hemond’s suggestion that motor bikes of the future will be quieter noting that, in 2007, noisy four-stroke engines will become the norm as the quieter two-stroke engines are phased out.

Both Lovett and Ambrose noted that technological changes should reduce the size of four-stroke engines so they won’t sound anything like the current four-stroke 450cc engines. Lovett added that, no matter what new technologies might bring in the long term, the challenge for the Hemonds now is to work with the racers to reduce noise levels.

Board member John Gould, noting that the board had no authority to pull a permit, suggested that the board table action until its November meeting and continue working with the Hemonds to see that they come in compliance with the ordinance.

In other business, the board gave final approval for a site plan allowing AT&T Wireless Services to erect a 190-foot pole off West Minot Road; gave final approval to the three-lot Pottle Hill Estates Subdivision; and accepted as complete an application for the four-lot Simion Road Subdivision. The board agreed to hold a site walk at 6 p.m. Aug. 19 to view the land in question and consider the plans at a public hearing on Sept 3.

Copy the Story Link