Belmont Joins Communities Seeking To Bring Quiet to Town Skies

It starts early and ends late.

The whine of jet engines or the buzz of turbo prop (propellor) can be heard over Belmont as early as 5:30 a.m. And the sound of aircraft from Logan International Airport will continue throughout the day and into the night.

Welcome to the new normal.

Residents are correct who believe that the number of commercial flights traveling above the "Town of Homes" is more than any other time in memory. According to a February article in Belmont Patch, most town residents are subjected to direct passenger jet noise of between 45 to 65 decibels under a Federal Aviation Administration plan that altered the routes taken by aircraft departing Logan.

But residents will get a chance to voice their displeasure with the decision as Belmont has joined a group of more than 30 cities and towns under Logan's noise umbrella seeking a way to turn down the level and amount of unwanted aircraft sound.

Two months ago, the Belmont Board of Selectmen voted in favor of joining the Logan Airport Community Advisory Committee, a group of nearly three dozen communities within a 20 nautical mile radius of Logan International Airport with a primary focus on reducing the noise pollution from aircraft arriving or departing the airport. 

Myron Kassaraba has been appointed by the Selectmen as the town's CAC representative and he will be working with Belmont employee Bob Reardon, Jr. as the own liaison. They are gathering information to actively participate in an upcoming review of the realignment program, and intend to make a presentation at the Oct. 28 Selectmen’s meeting. 

An informational page and FAQ are now available on the town’s website with information for citizens interested in learning more about the changes.