March 19, 2025 By Carol Britton Meyer
A citizen’s petition submitted by Crow Point resident Michael Kranzley and others seeking to amend the town’s noise control bylaw related to the hours of operation of tools and equipment used in construction, demolition, or commercial landscaping work in a residential district was withdrawn during last night’s select board meeting, pending further study.
The citizen’s petition would have asked voters at the upcoming Town Meeting to amend the bylaw to change the hours allowed for such activities to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (from the current 7 p.m.), none on Sundays (from the current 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and national holidays, and to remain the same Monday through Friday (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
The citizen’s petition was initially submitted in response to “nearly constant landscaping and construction noise for years due to tremendous growth in our neighborhood, with 650 families directly impacted by construction projects — including removing ledge, which is the noise equivalent of a jet taking off,” he said when presenting the petition to the select board in early March.
Next steps
Following the meeting, Kranzley shared his thoughts and next steps with the Hingham Anchor.
“The submission of what became Warrant Article Y initiated a series of thoughtful conversations about noise in our community, involving neighbors and town officials,” he explained. “It became evident that, after 10 years, the Noise Ordinance was not adequately addressing the needs of our residential neighborhoods.”
Additionally, the proposed solution of “simply designating one quiet day a week for families to enjoy their yards did not tackle the larger underlying issues,” he said.
As a result, the proposed warrant Article Y and the support behind it prompted a discussion at last night’s meeting for a thorough review of the Noise Ordinance by a study group to be formed by the select board.
“The goal is to develop a comprehensive solution to the noise problem for the town to discuss at the 2026 Town Meeting,” Kranzley said. “I believe this is the right approach.”
He would like for the study group to include members of various town committees, town officials, community members at large, and residents engaged in the construction and landscaping businesses — “vital contributors to our local economy,” Kranzley said.
“This conversation is essential in addressing the need for peace and quiet in our neighborhoods while promoting sensible growth and beautification of our wonderful town.”
Actions residents can take
In the meantime, Kranzley outlined actions that residents can take to bring about improvements to the noise issue.
“When public hearings regarding construction occur in their neighborhoods, I encourage residents to participate and make their voices heard,” he said. “The planning board and zoning board of appeals value citizens’ input and dedicate countless hours to making Hingham a better place to live.”
Kranzley also suggests that residents speak with their landscapers and urge them to use their gas-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers — “significant sources of air and noise pollution” — “thoughtfully and sparingly” and to request that they refrain from working on Sundays and conclude work earlier on Saturdays “so we can all enjoy precious time together without the constant din of equipment.”
In urging residents to take an active role in shaping the community’s future, Kranzley encourages their participation in the upcoming public hearings related to reviewing the Noise Ordinance and for them to voice their concerns and “work together toward a peaceful, harmonious living environment.”