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West Haven council approves $16,000 for independent acoustical study after residents report persistent ‘hum’
Summary
After a year of resident complaints about a low‑frequency vibration, the City Council approved a $16,000 transfer to the Human Resources department to hire a third‑party acoustical firm for one week of field testing and a 30‑day report. Residents described sleep, health and pet impacts during public comment.
The West Haven City Council on Jan. 12, 2026 approved a $16,000 transfer from unallocated contingency to the Department of Human Resources to hire an independent acoustical firm to investigate a persistent low‑frequency hum reported by residents.
Commissioner John Carano told the council the city has been investigating complaints about a “rumble” and vibration for more than a year. He said field decibel readings taken at multiple sites, including Bailey Drive, Donna Lane and locations along Heffernan Drive, did not exceed the city or state decibel limits but did show a persistent low‑frequency tone that is difficult to measure and isolate. “We have completed all testing possible within the capabilities of our equipment,” Carano said, and recommended hiring an “independent certified” acoustical firm to supply instrumentation, conduct an airborne noise test, analyze results and prepare a report.
Carano explained that proving a prominent, discrete tone requires a 1/3‑octave band analysis; if a tone is confirmed, statutory thresholds can be reduced (for example, an industrial 70 dB standard could be treated as 65 dB for a prominent tone). He said the expertise and instrumentation proposed would deploy four monitoring devices (one at Caligari Drive, three at residential sites), require a one‑week testing window when wind and foliage conditions are favorable, and produce a report in about 30 days. The cost estimate from the recommended consultant was in the $15,000–$16,000 range.
Mayor Dorinda Borer supported the study and asked the council to approve the fund transfer on the agenda. “This acoustical study is really the logical next step,” the mayor said, noting the firm comes recommended by Bristol and that references were positive.
Councilman Ronald Quagliani moved to approve the mayor’s communication to transfer $16,000 from unallocated contingency to Human Resources for the sound testing; Councilman Gary Donovan seconded. The clerk recorded roll‑call votes in favor from Councilmen Peter Rivera, Gary Donovan, Edward McMillan, David Beaton, Ronald Quagliani and Chairman Christopher Vargo and Councilwomen Anne Heffernan, Nancy Tagliatelle, Sarah Akberelli and Dawn Callahan; the motion passed.
More than a dozen residents spoke during the public comment period, describing sleep disturbance, stress, effects on pets and health concerns. Kimberly Nunes, who identified herself as the organizer of the petition about the noise, said it has “dated back for more than 4 years” and that the petition has more than 130 signatures. “Everyone deserves to have peace in their homes and this issue affects the entire household and pets,” Nunes said.
John Clancy, who said he has kept a daily log of the noise, told council members he is familiar with a private company’s sound study and said he believed one nearby business’s owner acknowledged the noise arose from manufacturing an edible glitter product. Clancy offered to provide a recording and his log to Commissioner Carano.
Zena Rotolo and other speakers described severe personal and health impacts; an emailed statement read into the record by the clerk from Michelle Douglas described recurring low‑frequency pulses and symptoms she said include dizziness and severe fatigue.
Commissioner Carano said city staff have coordinated with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and sought legal interpretation; he also said federal agencies such as EPA and DEEP told him they no longer enforce or investigate this type of complaint. He told the council that, once testing confirms a source, the city will consult with the city attorney about potential enforcement or remediation.
Next steps set by staff call for selecting a week with favorable weather (low wind, no rain) for one week of instrumented testing, followed by analysis and a report. Commissioner Carano offered to meet with residents after the presentation and invited interested residents to a third‑floor conference room to review more detailed data.
The council’s approval authorizes the department to proceed with contracting for independent testing; the testing timeline depends on weather windows and consultant availability.
