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NFTA to discuss QuieterHome plan
By John J. Hopkins Times
Noise reduction solutions to area homes that sit within a highdecible area around Buffalo-Niagara International Airport will begin this year, and airport officials will meet with eligible homeowners next week to discuss the "QuieterHome" program.
The meeting is scheduled for June 27 from 7-8 p.m. at the Maryvale High School auditorium, 1050 Maryvale Drive.
Officials from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and the project's manager will be on hand to review upcoming plans for providing noise reduction solutions.
Topics expected to be covered include the QuieterHome program's background and goals, how homes will be assessed for noise reduction solutions and preliminary construction schedules.
The 10-year, $60 million program will be funded by the NFTA, Federal Aviation Administration and the New York State Department of Transportation.
Up to 1,740 homes are eligible for free noise reduction improvements such as additional insulation, central air conditioning and double windows. All work is voluntary on the homeowners' part.
"We've already started meeting with the homeowners to gauge their interest," said C. Douglas Hartmayer, director of public affairs for the NFTA.
The NFTA mailed letters in May to the first segment of homeowners who are included in the first round of mitigation.
Hartmayer said that eligible homeowners are not obligated to decide immediately if they want the work performed on their homes. For example, a homeowner who decides in 2007 not to have noise reduction solutions made to his home can still have the work done in 2012 if he changes his mind.
"They can say 'no' today, and come back during the scope of the program that they want to have the work done," Hartmayer explained. "It's not a 'you have to do it now, or it won't get done situation.'"
The qualifying homes were determined by an FAA "Part 150" noise compatibility study. All homes that sit within a 65-decible area on a noise contour map created from the study are eligible.
The NFTA anticipates 28 homes will be mitigated this year, although Hartmayer said that if additional money becomes available from the FAA, up to 50 homes could be completed by the end of the year.
Noise mitigation to an additional 95 homes plus Our Lady Help of Christians Church is expected to occur in 2008, and future plans call for up to 225 homes to be worked on annually.
"I'd like to see as much done in the next few years as possible," said Councilmember Thomas M. Johnson, who added the church will greatly benefit from noise insulation. "I've sat in that church during Mass when the priest has had to be totally silent for several moments because of aircraft overhead."
Johnson said that the aircraft noise in some homes, particularly along Cayuga Road, Chapel Avenue and adjoining streets, is "deafening."
NFTA officials are advising residents that the June 27 meeting is not a forum for questions or debate concerning non-eligible homeowners, noting that those questions were addressed during the Part 150 study.
Syracuse-based C&S Engineering is the project's contractor.
A preliminary list of eligible homes can be found online at http:// www.buffaloairport.com/ quieterhome.
Other information about the airport's noise mitigation plan is available online at http:// www.buffaloairport.com/misc/ noisemitigation.asp.
One of the Web pages includes frequently asked questions, such as "What is mitigation?," "Who is eligible?" and "How am I eligible?".
In another airport-related matter, the NFTA is expected to build eight wetlands over 10 acres that will be used to treat and contain the de-icing agent known as glycol.
The wetlands will contain a type of bacteria that is known for breaking down and removing glycol. The wetlands would be used in conjunction with other glycol-containing practices used at the airport.
The NFTA purchased a glycol "sweeper" in 2001 that removes runoff as airplanes are de-iced. Runoff that eludes the 500-gallon sweeper ends up in a storage tank system underneath the tarmac.
However, during periods of excessive precipitation, these containment systems are emptied into the town's sanitary sewer system.
Hartmayer said the NFTA has "gone to great lengths" to prevent glycol from entering areas it shouldn't reach.
Johnson said construction of the wetlands is "welcome news."
"It has still been a problem," Johnson said, "but the vacuuming has lessened the problem. These artificial wetlands will be a great benefit."
Construction of the wetlands is expected to take five to seven months.
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