[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6384439,"mediaKeyId","2122627-9aa614567e836330e6280810ce51cd9f","parentId",2122627,"title","Residents press city leaders over constant droning and proposed biomedical-waste incineration at ReWorld/Covanta facility","audioSeconds",1270,"startMs",906000,"endMs",2176000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122627-9aa614567e836330e6280810ce51cd9f&start=906&end=2176","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122627-9aa614567e836330e6280810ce51cd9f/thumbnail_906000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6384439/Bristol-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Residents-press-city-leaders-over-constant-droning-and-proposed-biomedical-waste-incineration-at-ReWorldCovanta-facility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384439-12a3494005d22ea3177d30e79f36b57c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199927&Signature=VUXanwZ~~O-lnEVnQHOT5sJJLrjjoLGW3zs97~X6Miu2irsenG5RTJesFWfV3Ynx3uuWwQ1~hXdwlsZFiXJIupf7SJZlU9aLEI6gnpJS9RLaepdyj7Jkub1qBqe~54lhZBz2H~Gm8ncql01Oh3wVSJolx3P1F7Quj3a9r9gUnXV8LZiwj5wsbworgyWnXjHzku4RMkyfr4REMmdr-VRhQA72qLbADdq2WIOMhyYajh~jEZxtt65-Lgi8MR7PwZPM3u03ayesFNc7lup0TfBFZGcSGLHuLmyOF2SuNwSBIanbqXnnsHOleW0mVhp1WpcqKRdgX-xdJsmteiQVIQiWbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bristol, CT","date","2025-01-17T00:19:49.447Z","article","Residents from Bristol and nearby Southington and Plainville used the City Council public-comments period to urge local and state officials to act on persistent low-frequency noise coming from the ReWorld (Covanta) facility and to oppose pending permits to burn biomedical waste there.

Scores of speakers described a steady, “droning” noise that they say has disrupted sleep and daily life. “This noise is not just an occasional disturbance. It's a constant unrelenting droning that makes it impossible to relax, focus, or sleep,” said Justine McGowan, a mental-health provider and Bristol resident. David James of Plainville told the council the noise has affected his young son’s sleep and that his family is considering moving.

Why it matters: Residents said the conditions are creating chronic sleep disruption and stress for households near the plant and asked city leaders to help. Speakers referenced public-health research and advocacy groups to underline the severity of chronic noise exposure.

Council context and city response
Mayor (unnamed in the record) told speakers the Bristol-Burlington Health District (BBHD) is leading the noise investigation and that a court case and state-level reviews are underway. The mayor also said ReWorld — which the record alternately refers to as “re world” and “Covanta” — has acknowledged there is a noise issue, has completed an initial mitigation round and has committed an additional $1.5 million for further fixes. The mayor said the attorney general is involved in ongoing litigation and that the BBHD and state processes are the primary mechanisms for enforcement.

Speakers urged more active municipal engagement. Diane Koses of Southington submitted three written items for the record — including a November 2024 letter from Quiet Communities and a same‑week letter from state representative Rebecca Martinez — and handed them to the clerk. The mayor confirmed the documents were accepted for the record.

Health and legal claims raised by speakers
Multiple speakers cited the BBHD’s investigation and state noise law; Francis Pickering referenced Connecticut General Statutes 22a-73 during his remarks, saying municipal ordinances must be “at least as stringent as any state noise control plan.” Speakers also read or referenced published health summaries (for example, an advocacy report and a European Environment Agency estimate cited by a speaker) to stress possible health risks from chronic noise exposure. Several residents said they have purchased sound meters and recorded continuous noise they attribute to the plant.

On biomedical-waste burning, speakers opposed any permit allowing ReWorld to combust medical waste, arguing that the company has not demonstrated it can control emissions or even the existing noise problem. Several residents described respiratory or unexplained health problems among family members they believe could be related to emissions; they asked state regulators and legislators to block permits.

What the city did and did not decide
No City Council votes or ordinance changes were taken on the topic at this meeting. The mayor stated the BBHD is handling noise enforcement, that a court case is active, and that the attorney general’s office is involved. Council staff accepted written materials from residents for the record.

What comes next
Speakers said state representative Rebecca Martinez had introduced two bills related to the matter (described by a speaker as submitted the same week). The mayor said residents should expect the BBHD and state agencies to continue their processes and noted the ongoing litigation. Residents asked for continued updates from the city and for help coordinating with state regulators.

Ending
Residents who addressed the council requested additional enforcement and community outreach; the council did not take policy action at the meeting but acknowledged the health-district investigation, the state processes and ongoing litigation and recorded the written submissions residents provided.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bristol City Council Meeting - 01/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","Residents from Bristol, Southington and Plainville urged the City Council to act on persistent low-frequency noise and to oppose proposed biomedical-waste burning at the ReWorld/Covanta facility, saying the noise is disrupting sleep and harming quality of life.","taxTitle","Bristol City, Hartford County, Connecticut","taxId",12635,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6384431,"Council approves series of budget transfers and grant matches; comptroller reports clean audit and $326,000 general-fund surplus",6088,106000,6194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122627-9aa614567e836330e6280810ce51cd9f&start=106&end=6194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122627-9aa614567e836330e6280810ce51cd9f/thumbnail_106000.jpg","/articles/6384431/Bristol-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Council-approves-series-of-budget-transfers-and-grant-matches-comptroller-reports-clean-audit-and-326000-general-fund-surplus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384431-0e9a5d8e512c8ea9e228142915200745/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199927&Signature=ShsvTI1Seouw4g2I6v2BG8zC3zQBQ7VCBWIFfmGskgh3dIxX1MTICAMIogWhVZQS5BNv8oHOmLqlcCvjiSPQjad8sVxoYq0SAwvZBhidTmbauWcDewaCtKsgxmHxVQxpJxnPzukyl7-cvOGS8E85KL-2yTpHFZVA~N92IuPdAbWA2KgHGXOVrnW3KXCCaZ8SBJr~rQwDl24NfR649YyeRLAecg9hwpMRkh6j9UZ1jkhvRgbbyaC5ODlAPCRwlRIFfEVZBvPTBYdx~QUaeLha3HAtWlHv-yFWDUNdEFmraf8XZHBwEFDj0~exwsweHmILfS1RWlOVO3T8GWLZTgZSqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a package of routine budget transfers, grant matches and appropriations meant to reconcile year-end accounts and support ongoing projects, while the comptroller briefed the board on tax collections, the audit and a debt-refinancing that produced long-term savings.

Key approvals at the meeting
- Transfer and match for NVCOG EPA assessment grant: council approved transferring $65,100 from the general-fund contingency for the city match and an additional appropriation of $71,500 in the special grants and donations fund for the NVCOG EPA assessment grant award.
- Equipment/building sinking-fund and Board of Education (BOE) adjustments: council approved transferring $1,250,000 from the equipment building sinking fund contingency account and an additional appropriation of $1,250,000 within the BOE budget to address a prior noncompliance (discussed on the record as evening up that account). Another transfer and appropriation related to the equipment building sinking fund and capital projects fund, $53,847, was also approved.
- General fund and ARPA items: council approved a $122,811 transfer from the general-fund contingency account and rescinded a $500,000 appropriation in the Capital Projects Fund for the Center Square parking garage. Council approved administrative reconciliation actions for coronavirus recovery (ARPA) funds.

Comptroller presentation
Diane (surname in record: Kosas) delivered the monthly finance report. She said tax collections were running as expected, with real-estate receipts at about 65.8% on the chart and 69% collected through mid-January; motor-vehicle supplement billing totaled $2,376,000 against a budget of $1,500,000 and is expected to produce a surplus when collections complete. Investment earnings were already above budget at about $1,290,000 (budgeted at $1.1 million).

Audit and refunding
The comptroller said the city received a “clean opinion” on the audit and reported a $326,000 general-fund surplus for the fiscal year, leaving a $31.4 million fund balance — about 12% of budgeted expenditures (the Board of Finance targets 12–15%). She also reported a bond refunding completed that is projected to save $879,000 over the life of the refunded bonds; the refunded series totaled a bit over $23 million in sale proceeds and the savings are expected to help in fiscal years 2028–29.

Other administrative actions
Council accepted a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure for a tax-delinquent property (Gaskis Realty, 125 Frederick Street) and referred it to corporation counsel for documents and execution. The council authorized use of the Salvation Army facility for cold-weather emergency shelter operations and approved municipal participation in an Internet Crimes Against Children task-force agreement. The council also directed Public Works to cease maintenance of an accessway identified as Peter Court effective Jan. 17, 2025.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded at the meeting)
- Approval of minutes from Dec. 10, 2024 — motion approved (voice votes; no roll call recorded).
- Consent agenda (items a–h) — approved (voice votes).
- NVCOG EPA assessment grant match: transfer $65,100 and appropriation $71,500 — approved.
- Transfer $1,250,000 to BOE budget and related equipment/building sinking fund transfer — approved.
- Transfer $122,811 from general-fund contingency — approved.
- Rescind $500,000 Capital Projects appropriation for Center Square parking garage — approved.
- Additional equipment/building transfer and appropriation $53,847 — approved.
- Deed-in-lieu acceptance for 125 Frederick Street — approved; referred to corporation counsel.
- Salvation Army use for cold-weather shelter — approved; certificate of insurance to be provided.
- Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force agreement — approved.
- Peter Court access-way maintenance cessation effective Jan. 17, 2025 — approved.

What it means
The approved transfers were presented as year-end housekeeping and to bring BOE and other accounts into compliance after prior adjustments. The comptroller’s report of a clean audit and the refunding savings were presented as positive fiscal news; the fund balance remains near the Board of Finance’s lower target of 12 percent of expenditures.

Ending
Councilors insisted the transfers were routine reconciliations and thanked comptroller staff for completing the year-end audit quickly. No additional budget votes were taken beyond the items listed above.","City approved multiple transfers and appropriations to close prior-year items, matched an EPA assessment grant, moved funds to the Board of Education and adjusted sinking-fund accounts; the comptroller reported a clean audit, a $326,000 surplus and a $31.4 million fund balance (12% of expenditures).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6384436,"Bristol council hears strong public split on red-light and speed cameras; measure sent to ordinance committee",2089,2231000,4320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122627-9aa614567e836330e6280810ce51cd9f&start=2231&end=4320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122627-9aa614567e836330e6280810ce51cd9f/thumbnail_2231000.jpg","/articles/6384436/Bristol-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Bristol-council-hears-strong-public-split-on-red-light-and-speed-cameras-measure-sent-to-ordinance-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384436-7e159ff914863780c0062faf111a5093/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199927&Signature=VVLC74WNfMBSmxoufyRA5cIRUudkDSE4eGzm7Usl0WfeyUwEdW~LC~on9~Audk2s0Kbo4ucXwRReFUGkoZIGtPAf3WzjxjJaPO~F-u7fqsyOjNQ2oVdh5hvnJ6I88B~zD4nheJJFtG7OHKfN1mBBJ~gWl3DepPra4DbykYUtGdzyXWdBvu1e3j9jkp0MI2V~TsyLyWONKjcuKYoV1YvU3MMkPDWzsvU3~Kazhs2jmilGDWhEEcBRtVfKgJJBa6B3VQCwook2JpnpEiqizseqYsXbuaenFYJCvy9Tt4IwPw6X1tJk1QOjbecesobvqN3kgVpZYBkRuayrOovXXiNDEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A heated public-comment segment and council discussion focused on a proposed program to place red‑light and speed cameras at high-crash locations around Bristol.

Opponents and supporters gave sharply different accounts of the likely effect. Julie Erwin, a property owner who said she manages rental housing in Bristol, told the council she “adamantly oppose[d] adding cameras in this city,” calling them government overreach and urging support for policing rather than automated enforcement. Jeremy (last name not given), who operates local tow companies, warned cameras would penalize businesses that rotate drivers and could unfairly fine vehicle owners when the actual driver differs.

Supporters said cameras can reduce deadly crashes. Daniel Bailey, a resident who said he has lost friends to traffic crashes, recounted pedestrian fatalities and close calls and said “we need to do better.” Several speakers urged data-driven site selection and stronger pedestrian protections.

Council process and next steps
Councilor Sebastian Pena said the issue has been referred to the ordinance committee for consideration; Mayor (unnamed in the record) explained the multi-step process: ordinance language must be drafted, public hearings held, the police commission would review the ordinance and, if approved, the city would issue an RFP to choose a vendor. The mayor also said the state must approve each camera location before operation and that, based on state data, the city currently has “at most, 20 spaces where there’s been enough crash data collected by the state to allow a camera.” The mayor gave the ordinance committee’s next meeting date as Feb. 4, 2025.

Why it matters
Speakers described pedestrian deaths and near-misses and framed the debate as one between automated enforcement and traditional policing and constitutional concerns. Opponents cited legal and privacy objections (including that citations fall to vehicle owners), and supporters cited crash‑reduction goals. Several speakers asked for more crash data to guide decisions.

No final action taken
No ordinance or enforcement policy was approved at the meeting. The council recorded public comment, clarified the referral to the ordinance committee, and advised residents that the process will include additional committee review, public hearings and police‑commission consideration before any cameras could be activated.

Ending
The city council encouraged continued public engagement and noted the matter will return through the ordinance committee, the police commission and potential public hearings before any local program could be authorized.","Residents and business owners sharply debated proposed camera enforcement; council said the matter was referred to the ordinance committee and outlined a multi-step review process including state approval for specific sites.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press city leaders over constant droning and proposed biomedical-waste incineration at ReWorld/Covanta facility

Council approves series of budget transfers and grant matches; comptroller reports clean audit and $326,000 general-fund surplus

Bristol council hears strong public split on red-light and speed cameras; measure sent to ordinance committee