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Resident urges township to address early-morning refrigeration truck noise at shopping center
Summary
Longtime Middletown resident Bob Feather told the board his neighborhood is disturbed by refrigeration trucks idling early and for hours at a nearby shopping center; he cited decibel readings averaging 82 dB and asked the township to act. Township staff said prior sound studies found no noise-ordinance violation but agreed to reengage the property manager and suggested targeted testing.
At the Board of Supervisors' public-comment segment on May 15, longtime Middletown resident Bob Feather described ongoing quality-of-life problems from trucks at a nearby shopping center, saying prior written complaints to township staff have not produced results.
"I've taken readings myself when the trucks are sitting there in the loading base, 30 feet away, and they average 82 decibels," Feather said, and added that refrigeration trucks sometimes arrive at about 5:30 a.m., run for hours and leave residents unable to open windows or enjoy their yards.
Township officials responded that staff have met on site with shopping-center management and that the township's engineer has run decibel tests at different times without identifying a violation of local noise standards. A manager noted the township does not have jurisdiction over air quality and encouraged residents to continue communication with the property manager; staff said they would re-engage the management company and will consider targeted decibel readings during delivery windows.
Board members suggested using a liaison or arranging scheduled checks when deliveries occur. Feather asked about enforcement of state idling rules for heavy trucks; staff noted enforcement limitations but said they would contact the store (Redner's Market) directly and encouraged residents to document incidents and coordinate with staff for follow-up testing.
No formal board action was taken at the meeting beyond the commitment to re-contact the shopping-center management and to pursue additional on-site noise checks.
