Neighbors press Wissahickon board over persistent middle school chiller noise; consultant report timing questioned

Neighbors and parents told the Wissahickon School Board on Oct. 6 that ongoing noise from the middle school chiller disrupted neighborhoods and student activities and asked whether the district had received a consultant's post-installation noise report.

"Given the preeminent position of 'safe' in your goals, I trust that my comments and those of my neighbors will be taken seriously," said James Jack, who described the September 15 noise testing and asked whether the consultant's report had been delivered to the district and, if not, what deadline the district set for its completion.

The complaints centered on the timing and conditions of the district's testing. Speakers said the most recent noise test was performed at about 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which residents said does not reflect summer conditions when the chiller ran amid repeated heat waves.

"He tested the noise of the air conditioning chiller at 60 degrees. What relevance does that have to a summer full of 80-plus degree days?" Jack asked. Irene Lewis, a Lower Gwynedd resident, said neighborhood residents and summer campers endured a "relentless groaning sound" on weekdays from about 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. before the district installed an acoustic fence in September.

Lewis asked the board whether temporary measures are sustainable and whether the district has designated a staff member to update neighbors. She also asked whether the board had considered seeking advice from an ear, nose and throat specialist to evaluate health risks.

Superintendent Dr. DeJuan said the district would share the consultant report timeline with the board and community. A board member noted that while the testing day temperature was not at summer highs, the testing protocol had included running the equipment at maximum capacity to simulate heavier loads; the member said they would ask Tim Bricker to provide an update on the assessment's timeline.

The public comments followed a recurring line on the agenda tied to the district goal to "foster safe and supportive school environments." Neighbors pressed the board for clearer communication, for deadlines on consultant deliverables and for consideration of medical review or further testing under summertime operating conditions.

Board members did not adopt a new formal motion on the chiller at the Oct. 6 meeting; they said they would request and circulate the consultant's report and timeline for next steps.

The board's next facilities committee meeting was listed on the district calendar and may consider follow-up materials from the testing consultant.