Residents of Warwick expressed significant concerns during a recent government meeting regarding a proposed construction project near their neighborhood, citing potential health risks and environmental impacts.

Several community members reported smelling kerosene in the area, which they described as \"highly toxic.\" This alarming observation prompted calls for the council to reconsider the approval of the project, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the environmental implications.

Michelle Comar, a Warwick resident, raised specific questions about the project's environmental assessment, particularly regarding a proposed noise-reducing berm. Dawn Minneker, acting senior vice president of infrastructure for the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, clarified that the berm is intended to serve as a noise barrier and visual screen. According to the environmental assessment, the berm and an accompanying wall are expected to reduce noise levels by 1 to 4 decibels on average, with reductions from single noise events ranging from 1 to 13 decibels.

However, Minneker noted that the berm was not designed to address air quality issues, and no studies were conducted to assess its potential benefits in that regard. Funding for the berm construction will come from the airport corporation, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) did not find the project warranted federal funding based on their noise analysis.

The meeting underscored the community's apprehension about the project's potential impact on health and the environment, highlighting the need for thorough assessments and transparency in the decision-making process.