Wissahickon board approves interim fence and sound blankets for middle-school chillers after years of neighbor complaints

The Wissahickon School Board on June 2 approved an interim mitigation plan for the Wissahickon Middle School chiller noise, voting to move forward with a fence and sound blankets intended to reduce the low-frequency vibration and audible disturbance that neighbors say has affected their yards and homes for years.

Residents who live near the middle school urged more extensive remediation and immediate summer relief. Several speakers asked the board to use administrative authority to limit chiller operation during the summer months while a permanent solution is studied. Board and facilities staff said the building serves summer programs and staff, and turning the chillers off could…