15 ROPES STREET LETTER-NOISE LEVEL AT CAR WASH RECEIVE®
02/27/2023
MAR 0 2 2023
CITY OF SALEM
BOARD OF HEALTH
Att:Jeremy Schiller, MD,Chair
Salem Health Dept.
Salem City Hall Annex
98 Washington St,Salem, MA 01970
(978) 741-1800
Dear Mr. Shiller
On Saturday the 181h of February I called the police to put them on notice of the noise coming from the
tunnel at the Salem car wash. Police responded and brought to my attention they couldn't do anything!
I have also left messages this week once again with Health Dept. and have spoken to one of the agents
Jeffery. He told me that he will contact the owner and bring this to his attention. It is now Sat the 18th
one whole week has passed and we are still putting up with the noise.As of now the noise is so loud our
first floor tenant had moved out spring of last year as this blower would be increased and decreased
depending on what the car wash could get away with. Windows can't be opened as the noise just
magnifies into tenants space whom are paying for a space that is supposed to be home. In our office we
constantly have a loud noise even with doors and windows closed. At the top of the stairweli the
decibel noise level has been recorded at 81-83 decibels. Corner of 1513opes Street the decibel reading
has been recorded at 84-89 and my meter will not read above. In the front pavement location the noise
decibel reading has been 81-89. We can't even talk and here conversation at front of building location
starting at 7am. All of these locations are more than 100 yards from the end door of the Salern Car wash
tunnel. We have put on notice Health department, Building Dept. of Salem MA multiple time along with
the Police for over a year. At one time the noise level was reduced only for a very short time. You can
always tell when noise level has been adjusted,or reduced because cars can't dry off fully as they need
to turn down the blowers. This issue needs to be resolved this is a Residential Neighborhood and the
decibel reading way exceeds the limit. If action is taking in other towns and cities around us with similar
fines and disciplines it needs to be enforced equally. Ranging from 30-40dollars per day and up to
$7500.00 per incident. I am concerned about hearing damage and the wellbeing of my tenants,
employees and my staff. We will be forced to shut down as we have been occupying this location over
40years with special variance. I expect to hear from someone as soon as possible. I have spoken to the
staff at the car wash and they stated they are waiting for the supervisor to adjust the blowers. This has
been going on for more than a month. Operating a power washer from 6-8pm with no exhaust to clean
is unacceptable also. Now with extended long hours the car wash tunnel is open 7-830pm, never the
case previous and now should not be the case or allowed unless approved by the board as result of the
intense noise created.
We are unable, along with tenants and workers to sit outside as a result of the noise coming from the
blowers at the end of the Salem car Wash tunnel. Our noise is so loud that it is hindering on she
production and work of our staff in the office. We can't rent the first floor of our property because of
this noise. As a landlord and owner of 15ropes Salem MA. Our third floor tenant has been with us for
more than 38years. My second floor tenant has been here more than 12 years.We have owned the
property more than 40 years plan on staying another 40 and we have never had to endure this
constantan noise strain for all the years here previous. If this can't be rectified in smooth quick fashion I
will have to take other steps in the process involving the City and the owner of the car wash. I can be
contacted at 978-740-1007 or 781-953-4910
Patrick Osgood
cc. Acting Mayor Robert McCarthy,Ward 5 Councilor Jeff Cohen, City Engineer David Knowton PE,
Building Commissioner,Thomas St. Pierre, cc DDSK Law