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NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk.DailyVoice.com accepts signed, original letters to the editor. Letters may be emailed to letters@dailyvoice.com.
To the Editor,
One of the challenges of creating mixed-use areas, such as Washington Street in SoNo, is that the neighborly issues such as noise can sometimes get out of hand. With the SoNo Arts Celebration taking over the street, there were outdoor stages that contributed great music to the ambiance of the street. Unfortunately, one of the bars chose to open their doors and flood the street with some excellent DJ music. The unfortunate result was a lot of sound and noise echoing through the street.
Fortunately, Officer Daniel Fitzmaurice, once alerted to the issue, quickly resolved the complaint – congratulations to the Norwalk Police Department for responding promptly and in a measured way.
As we build more residential units in our downtowns, the co-operation of all city services can go a long way to keeping things running smoothly. Norwalk has a rich history of hosting large-scale events, and over the years sound complaints have gotten a bit more contentious as the ability of creating powerful soundscapes has become easier and cheaper due to advances in technology. The flip side is that managing soundscapes, including directing sound waves, can keep sounds from escaping from venues.
Norwalkers should embrace the programs and activities that bring visitors and patrons to our city, knowing that solutions to managing conflicts can be successfully mitigated.
Jackie Lightfield is the former chairperson of the Norwalk Zoning Commission and a current board member of Norwalk 2.0.
Comments (2)
All the noise of the gun shots and people screaming in fear fom the out of control crime is a lot of noise.
Maybe the city should adopt the rules in place already around Anne St we would all be better off.
Woodward ave at three in the morning windows open we all get the dumpster music by city carting something maybe zoning could of helped the residents here with quality of life.(complaints on file for years)
Maybe just bring the fest down to Woodward ave then police protection and noise would be better matched.
Sound suppression just didn't become an issue in Sono and adding bushes and trees to breed more crime and homeless hangouts doesn't always work so well,there are those things called volume control switches that work well when intstructions and rules are given.
Some of those who complain are what housing residents living in privately owned buildings some even maintained by Norwalks own city concerns?
No doubt Norwalk has history,the few developers have Rich as a member and things will only get worse until Norwalk takes back its city,leasing and subbing it to others have only proven unwise.
When most of the decent family businesses have left Sono and given way for more drinkers and the court news is filled with out of town arrests generated by drinking establishments maybe its time to embrace residential than what is planned for Sono.
Granted the fests add to the history of Norwalk but so don't the bars,adding more bars adds more trouble.
Lets thank God those two pitbulls didn't go roaming for some great food during the fest Norwalk once again would of lived up to yet another managing conflict on how it runs the city.The pitbulls I mention made national news today,a shame Norwalks history couldn't of done the same.
The police department did an outstanding job saving a life yesterday its Norwalkers job to save Sono.Making the city safe will bring more people into Norwalk and having more officers like Daniel would be a start I agree.
Noise seems to be one of the least problematic issues Norwalk has.
co-operation of all city services I agree is needed they need to tell the taxpayers as the city grows the departments need to grow the money we were to see from new construction that never transpired needs to come from within.
Your post was great you are correct in what you said our police officers are some of the hardest working men and women in CT and deserve to be thanked daily.