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10 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, November 7, 2000 Halton Region initiates noise attenuation policy By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Residents hoping to reduce the racket of passing traffic may find salvation in HaIton's new noise attenuation policy. It's sim is bo cut through the din to improve the quality of lufe for Halton residents whose homea back on to traffOc-clogged Regional roads.. The policy to ereet noise walls in decibel-challenged neighbour- hoods over a 10-year period was approved by Regional Counicil Wednesday. They'd rise only in noise sensitive areas with no other viable options for dimming the din. Cost of the walls would be aplit, with 75 per cent covered on the general tait bill and 25 per cent by the affected residents. But Oskville resident Cheni Bain appeared before council to ask that taxpayers psy the fuît freight. "We'll be requesbing that the Region pay 100 per cent of the cost," she said. She asked that a 1 per cent tait increase be instated across the board to psy for the project. Once the walls are up, taxes could be reduced to their former level. "This isn't somebhing that will last forever," said Ms Bain. She also asked to speed up the pace of tbe policy. "We have a hard time ssking residents who have wsited 20 years toi wsit another 10 years," ssid Ms Bain. And Burlington resident.Jerry Horak asked council to consider putting s lid on noise in bis ares by decreasing the speed limit on Regional Road 5 (Dundas Street) from 80 kms to 60 kms. "'TraffOc has increased substantially since Wsterdown was buîlt up," hie said. "But there's notbing really mentidned about reduc- ing speed limita." Lowering speeds would motivabe loud trucks to use other roads, added Mr. Horak, substsnbislly decreasing the noise problem. But the request baffled Burlington Councillor Mike Wallace. "AMe you seriously asking us to reduce bbe speed fmom 80 kms to 60 kms," hie asked. 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COGECO satellite FEATURES Digital Cable TV TV Digital Picture & Sound se" " Commercial-freeDigitalMusic Channels &e a," Choice of package options SOI 5 TMN Channels/5 U.S. Superstations s-' Full customner service 24/7 sol- e"" Ail local & community channels " Easy installatione.' Fleet of local service vehicles ba- Warranty covers free equipment upgrade " Multiple outlets with no extra equipment e" (Up to 65 analogue channels) To learn more about Digital Cable TV S vîsît our website at WW.cogeco.ca/thetruth («I)))CQaGaECOI or cail us at 1-888-6-COGECO Not available in afl aras> soire resinlda, ,ay apply And shifting truck traffic elsewhere would only transfer the problemn, noted Halton's Planning commissioner Pat Murphy. "I don't think reducing truck trsflic on Regional Road 5 is a realistic option," hie said. "It bas toi go somewhere." Mr. Horak also asked for natural noise buffers in the formn of tree planting to be considered in place of wood or concrete barri- ers. Burlington Councillor Jack Dennison strongly objected to puttingý the lion's share of the costs on the regional tait base, ssy- ing residents knew what they were getting into when they bought their homes. "Those roads were always planned as major roads and the people who bought there bought for less," he said. 'Thirty years ago, anyone could bave seen that coming." But there' s no way people could have predicted the current vehicular onslaught, countered Burlington Councillor John Taylor. "Who could have anticipated 30 or 40 years ago when their homes were built that there would be Oive lanes of trafic and 35,000 vehicles a day," he asked. "We bave to, take action." Milton Mayor Gord Krantz worried that the policy could get out of hand without careful monitoring. But the policy will be restricted to Regional Roads and no indoor noise attenuation will be attempted, assured Mr. Murphy. "Once you get into the retrotit of the interior of homes, bbc costs are incalculable," he said. Though the total price tag will vary according to what type of barrier is erected, tbe cost is expected to be about $400,000 in the tirsb five years, and $425,000 for the final f ve years. /r ME LM IEI=I JIM TIMBERS COUNCILLOR WARD 2 A NEW VOICE FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM!