The Noise Review Board will report on their work exploring technological solutions for nighttime garbage collection noise as directed by City Council in 2001.  The final report from the Noise Review Board was completed on September 8, 2004.  This report was presented to City Council on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 1221 SW 4th Ave., Portland.

 

The work was completed with the assistance of a subcommittee on nighttime recycling and garbage collection, which included two members of the Noise Review Board, four hauler representatives, and a representative appointed by the NW District Association.  The subcommittee came up with a set of recommendations at its March 24, 2004 meeting (see link to subcommittee work below).

 

A public hearing to collect citizen comments on the subcommittee work was held on May 3, 2004.  The Board received comments both in writing and orally at the hearing (see link to the public meeting minutes and citizens written comments below).  There were also two independent engineering reports completed as part of the research into possible noise mitigation solutions (both engineering reports can be reached at the links below).

 

The subcommittee decided that a few solutions should be applied to all haulers and other solutions would be administered only when complaints were received.  Additionally, there were solutions that may relate to improvements in garbage and recycling collection equipment that may not be readily available or may be in early stages of development at this time.  These potential future improvements should continue to be further explored and researched as time goes by.

 

The executive summary in the attached report of the Noise Review Board offers a brief overview of their findings.  Please call the Noise Control Office at 503-823-7350 with any questions you might have on the report.