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Committee recommends renewal of Sullivan scrap license after councilors press owner on repeated early-morning noise complaints
Summary
The committee recommended renewal of William F. Sullivan & Company's junk dealer license at 107 Appleton Street but pressed owner Brian Powell and the business to address multiple resident complaints about machinery noise and intermittent smoke before 7 a.m.; councilors asked staff, police and Board of Health to enforce ordinance and consider conditions on future renewals.
The Development & Government Relations Committee voted to recommend renewal of the junk dealer's license for William F. Sullivan & Company at 107 Appleton Street while expressing serious concern about neighborhood noise and air-quality complaints.
Brian Powell, representing William F. Sullivan & Company, told the committee the firm had made operational changes after a 2024 complaint and had not recently been advised of continuing violations. Residents and several councilors said they have received video and repeated emails documenting machinery in operation at 5:15 a.m. or earlier and raised worries about noise, occasional smoke and proximity to a nearby school. One councilor relayed that constituent emails included video evidence dating back to 2022.
Councilors and staff described the city's existing noise ordinance, which prohibits loud and excessive noise before 7 a.m. on weekdays, and noted that the law department had mailed a warning in June 2024. Members discussed enforcement options including code enforcement, police response to individual incidents, and Board of Health involvement for potential air-quality concerns. One councilor proposed adding a condition that repeated complaints could trigger license revocation or suspension; legal feasibility was discussed and staff suggested seeking a law-department opinion and cross-referencing complaints with board-of-health evidence.
Powell said he welcomes direct feedback, offered to provide a contact number and committed to reviewing the videos and working with staff. Several councilors urged residents to file formal complaints with the appropriate enforcement body so staff can act.
The committee voted to recommend renewal and to document the neighborhood complaints and suggested enforcement follow-up; the license will proceed to the full city council for final action.
