Trentonian Article

Noise study makes noise at QW city council
Posted By Ersnt Kuglin and Barry Ellsworth – QMI Agency

Sound levels exploded when Mayor John Williams lost his temper, verbally attacking a constituent in a loud voice and slammed his open palm on the table during a meeting called to discuss a study about noise emenating from CB Freezers.

The normally affable Williams became incensed after goading Cliff White, a neighbour who lives just east of the Hwy. 33 plant, into admitting that after three years of battling to have the excessive noise levels controlled by the city, he no longer believed the mayor and city hall.

"You don't trust us?" Williams said in a loud voice, and he threatened to end the meeting, attended by about 30 people last week at city hall.

White, saying he was a taxpayer who deserved better treatment, stormed out of the room.

It was an explosive conclusion to the hour-long meeting, which broke up a few minutes after White's departure, with the promise that neighbours and CB Freezer management would meet in a few weeks time to further discuss the findings of the $18,000 noise study.

The meeting was not publicized by the city. In fact, it was White that notified The Trentonian the meeting was taking place at city hall.

"We didn't invite the world,'' said Williams in another exchange with White.

Williams has admitted to becoming "frustrated" in his bid to appease neighbours angry over the noise from a cooling tower and reefers running in transports to keep meat frozen at CB Freezers, located in the old FBI plant just west of the city limits in Murray ward, while trying to placate company management which is in the throes of expansion and has about 140 employees.

Neighours have complained bitterly that the mayor and city hall are putting jobs ahead of the quality of life for area residents, some of whom have put blankets over their windows to try to deaden the sound.

And the eight-page noise study, completed by J.E. Coulter Associates Ltd. of Toronto, proved the neighbours right — the sound is at times 60-to-80 per cent over the acceptable level of noise.

Coulter likened the sound, when it is at its peak from reefers, the loading dock and the cooling tower, to that of a Hercules aircraft flying over your house. But while the airplane noise lasts for a short time, the CB Freezer clamour can last hours.

"It's not gutwrenching (noise)," Coulter told the roomful of neighours, plant management owner Dale Willard and others, "(but) we found more noise than there should be."

The study contained three recommendations to bring the noise under regulation levels established by the Ministry of the Environment, including installation of silencers on the cooling tower, changing the parked and loaded trucks to face north, and perhaps build a noise barrier seven metres high (22 feet) high along the front property line of the plant. The last recommendation, Coulter conceded, would have to be more fully investigated because it could cause traffic problems for trucks entering and leaving the property on Highway 33.

Willard, who has built the company from two employees to a $70-million operation buying and selling meat on a global scale, said he was willing to be a "good corporate neighbour" and would take measures to control the noise.

"I think maybe there are some things we can do," he said. "We are not here to piss people off."

But the neighbours wonder why, then, have their complaints fallen on deaf ears for so long -- three families have sold their homes and moved after having their peace of mind, to say nothing of sleep, disrupted for years.

It appears the Ministry of the Environment will be called in since the noise levels are higher than the ministry's guidelines.

Williams said he was determined to fix the problem to the satisfaction of neighbours and the company.

On Monday, city CAO Gary Dyke, said the next step is to put a plan together in order to implement recommendations in the study.

"The process has already started,'' said Dyke.

But it's not known how much the noise abatement measures will cost CB Freezers. There's also growing speculation the city may share in the cost.

Mayor John Williams could not be reached for comment.

Resident Update Submitted August 5th

*NOTE: This submission is addressed to "John", Mayor of Quinte West, John Williams. Resident names have been removed*

John

Another beautiful evening, but I'm sure you're not putting up with the noise in the Oak Hills that we are putting up with on the Carrying Place Road. Two reefers running on high, sitting at the front of the factory making it impossible to enjoy the night.

When are we getting some results regarding the noise study?

As for the Ministry of the Environment and Lou Rinaldi, I have kept emails from both of you telling us that we do not have to put up with the noise and that no one can take away the enjoyment of our homes. Well, if you think any of us are enjoying this, think again. All Can is now running reefers and both of these factories are sitting in the middle of a residential area, regardless of how you have zoned it.

The XXXXX's, the XXXXX's and others to the east of us are complaining as well. How many home owners do you need to either move or put their homes up for sale. As a show of support I think all of us should put For Sale signs on our homes . It will bring the attention of the public to our situation. This has been going on for three years now and looking back on some of the correspondence I have had I actually have to laugh. The double talk and false promises are becoming too much.

Resident Update Submitted Friday July 23rd

Tonight, as my husband and I walked our dog we were absolutely stunned at the amount of noise coming from CB Freezers. The people that live along Mack Road are being subjected to an unbelievable amount of noise, making it nearly impossible to live there. The word is out and the sound study is in. Apparently CB Freezers is not making to much noise. This is from a counsellor who got the low down from the CAO. The Mayor being out of town, has not released the findings. Upon finding this out I had to make a call to the sound people. This, apparently is not the whole story. There were recommendations made and we are now left to wonder whether or not the whole story will come out when there is a meeting of the residents held. My only hope is that we now have the support of a few counsellors and we can get this looked after. Can anyone be trusted? Let's hope they step up to the plate and speak up and call it as they see it.
The Emperor has no clothes!

Resident Submission Sent May 30, 2010

As our sound study is nearing completion I would like to make mention of noise that I have never heard before.

Apparently All Can has installed a compressor or something of the sort. There is the same type of noise, and I don't think it comes from reefers, coming from the south east corner of their building. There has never been that noise until the noise study began. I go to work at the same place for the last 25 years and I'm pretty sure I would have picked up on it by now. If this is an attempt to derail the noise study then I would say it probably will succeed.

We hear very little from City Hall or Lou Rinaldi regarding what is going on but they were front and center for their photo opportunity at the expansion announcement for CB Freezers. These are our tax dollars that are going to support this expansion and the promise of jobs just doesn't cut it for me. We also pay taxes and when it comes to big business they seem to forget that. They have managed to escape the union by not rebuilding in Wellington. Adecco is supplying the manpower and all that means is the employees will be making low wages and really not helping our community at all. They will be able to survive but that is about it. After all they should be thankful to have a job or so I've heard.

This is an election year and all I can say is to make your disappointment known with your vote.

Resident Update Submitted May 15th, 2010

Another night of reefer noise. I am not sure how the residents at the west end of the plant are making out but we have had a very loud reefer parked outside of our bedroom window that has been running since 5 p.m. Friday evening. I woke up several times during the night, hoping that someone would pick it up and drive away but no such luck.

I spoke with Paul and Nicki after they had moved to their new home and Capital Movers commented that they knew about the noise issue as they have already moved another person from the road due to noise. Is that what is going to happen now, people are just going to move in and move out as they realize how noisy this plant is allowed to be?

What are they doing on the old rail bed in behind our properties. Is this going to increase truck traffic are they putting a road back there? Why now after the birds have become to nest and is that area nto parkland? How does this affect Hannah Park? We used to walk on that rail bed as I am sure lots of people with children and dogs do.

We need some answers. Once again I am trying to go to my own business and I haven't slept for most of the night.

Resident Update Submitted May 10, 2010

Although the residents on the Carrying Place Road have embraced the fact that the city was willing to do a noise study I am wondering how much noise we will begin to experience after the study has been done.

I believe that CB Freezers are doing things in order to mislead this investigation. For one thing, I have never heard continuous reefer noise coming from All Can directly across the road from Andjareenas Place, but in the last couple of weeks I have begun noticing a definate increase in noise. On Friday morning I left for work shortly after 5 a.m. and there were reefers running and the noise was definately coming from there. This week I also observed a reefer parked in the parking lot at the front of All Can parallel with hwy 33 and I haven't seen a reefer parked there in I don't know how long. Maybe years. The fact that these things are going on now that the noise study has begun makes me very concerned. Yes, we have our noise study but is it just smoke and mirrors?

I do not require an answer from you Mr. Mayor just keeping you up to date on what is going on.

Resident Update Submitted May 7, 2010

I find it unconscionable that the City of Qunite West would allow any more reefers or "cold storage facilities" within their city limits. If ALLCAN is refrigerating cheese....it's only a matter of time before they will be refrigerating other products .......which equals REEFERS!!! And lots of them!

How is it ....I need a building permit to build a 10x12 shed or a 8x8 ft deck on my house, but these guys are allowed to build a "Cold Storage Facility" without approval by city council? Surely Gary Dyke must know something about this....he can't be that clueless or underhanded ......can he?

Resident Update No. 3 Submitted May 6, 2010

I too noticed the reefers at ALLCAN over the past couple of weeks. I guarantee CB Freezers are up to "no good". How do they go from having 8-9 reefers running all week/weekend to 1 or 2? CB has always done this. Anytime there is any sort of study or investigation....they go into "silent mode". They play dirty and always have. There is no way, we're going to get a fair and accurate measure of the intense noise emanating from CB unless it is a surprise or covert investigation. Why does The City of Quinte West always have this overwhelming urge to inform CB before they are being investigated? Could you imagine if the police or RCMP did this before investigating a criminal?

Just my opinion

Resident Update No. 2 Submitted May 6, 2010

Yes. My husband was riding on the trail that leads behind AllCan last week and said that there were 5 reefers over there, three of them were running. I walk down that trail quite a bit and have never seen that before. I've seen trucks pull in, I've seen them parked there, but I've never seen them lined up and running. Sure enough, when I took a walk down there the other say I saw that there were several reefers lined up with at least one of them running.


Considering that the sound engineers have been taking ambient noise levels this week I find this very suspicious. If base readings were taken near the AllCan factory wouldn't this increase our ambient noise levels, making the noise contamination from CB Freezers seem less severe? I certainly hope that residents in whatever area they have done the ambient sound readings in have been canvassed to see if there has been any unusual activity.

Resident Update Submitted May 6

I'm not sure what's going on , but on the eve of our noise study we now have new reefer noise. The All Can Warehouse across the road from Andjareenas Place has reefers running and they are loud. This hasn't occurred in years and it makes me wonder,(call me paranoid) why they are doing this now. Is it a show of force or solidarity?

This morning at 6:15 a.m. when I opened my kitchen windows I noticed that they have a reefer parked in the front parking lot, parallel with the highway. Again, it has been a very long time since they have done something like this.

Makes me wonder what's in it for them.

Resident Update 04/21/10

I am tired of spending my weekends angry as a result of the lack of consideration from CB Freezers. They load up on Friday night and turn their reefers on and away they go and the rest of us living in the area have to just put up with it. I like to think I am a professional person, after all we do have two businesses in town but I find myself becoming irrational when it comes to this plant. They had at least six reefers cycling on and off at the west end of the plant all weekend with two in front of the loading docks facing the highway and homes and two at the east end of the lot. They are loud and intrusive. Imagine the drone of a parked truck running outside your door nonstop. This truck does not pull away for 3 days. Working in your yard is not the enjoyable task it should be. Instead of opening our door and hearing the birds in the morning the first thing we hear is the trucks. I have lived in this house for 26 years and am depressed at the thought of perhaps having to sell but that is our plan. I emailed our Mayor on the weekend and he promptly returned the email stating that we had decided for the noise study to begin in May and did I want that changed. We are 10 days away and it is not for me to decide as I am only one voice. My biggest fear is that the noise study will not succeed in making life any more pleasant for us. I wonder how the Mayor will explain the number of moves from the Carrying Place Road to his constituents when he is running? It can't always be about business. We were here first and although our tax bill is not nearly as high as the one at CB Freezers, it is a tax bill we have paid for 26 years. Disappointment in our Mayor and council is an understatement but I must say be careful what you wish for Mr. Mayor. Although you have succeeded in possibly driving two of us from the neighbourhood and perhaps even one business you may have people that are more driven and more determined replace us.

Resident Update Submitted 04/09/2010

It does not appear as though CB Freezers is making any attempts at mitigating the noise. Leaving refrigerated trailers to cycle on and off all weekend long, loading and moving trucks and trailers, disrupting the peace within our house, does not demonstrate any measure of respect for the residents who share this neighbourhood. Although we have been assured by the office of the Minister of the Environment that CB Freezers, and the City of Quinte West, are working to resolve the noise issue, our weekend was disrupted once again.

John Williams has decided to run for mayor of Quinte West once again. I understand that Mr. Williams campaign is based on attracting new employers to the Quinte West area. I wish Mr. Williams would place as much emphasis on the people who live here. Jobs are important, but what about the workers? I am a worker. My husband is a worker. What good are we when we are so tired, stressed and worn that we cannot function properly? I have asked Mayor Williams for help, I have begged, my health has been affected as a direct
result of the noise issue, yet the bombardment continues.

I sincerely hope that the sound assessment done in May will result in positive action for the other residents here. I hope that everyone keeps their word and that this issue will be resolved. For us, it's too little too late and although it may not be much, we're taking our tax dollars elsewhere.

Resident Update Submitted April 11, 2010

Another weekend of noise and disruption thanks to the folks at CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics. Despite assurances from everyone from Mayor of Quinte West, John Williams, to the owner of CB Freezers, Scott Willard, reefers continue to be left running in the front loading area for hours on end. Again, our entire weekend has been disrupted by the droning noise of those monsters left in the front loading area of the building.

Resident Update April 5, 2010

On Good Friday I was woken up at 7am to find that a street sweeper was cleaning the parking lot.

A reefer was left to run continuously in the front loading area of CB Freezers for approximately 18 hours.

Multiple reefers were left in the front loading area to cycle on and off, to disrupt our family dinners, to disturb our sleep for the entire weekend.

Our Easter weekend has been filled with noise and torment and it continues still.

This past Easter weekend CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics have demonstrated the level of their commitment to mitigating the noise from their facility by disrupting the entire Easter weekend. With total disregard for us, their neighbors, they left reefers running in the front loading area for the entire weekend. Despite the fact that I took prescription medication in order to deal with the noise, in order to sleep in my own home, I was still woken up repeatedly by the noise coming from Chill Chain Logistics reefers left to drone in the front loading area of CB Freezers.

Resident Update April 3, 2010

Easter Weekend and thankfully we have been away, although before we left the noise was unreal. We have just arrived home at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and all you can hear outside is CB Freezers.

My real fear is that if we have any change in government, both local and provincial, we will be starting all over again.

I'm sure they would embrace the change. It would allow them to continue to disrupt our lives.

Resident Update April 1, 2010

Another week of noise. What I have difficulty understanding is why this bunch need to be loading in the middle of the night. Three nights this week I was awake at 2:30 in the morning. Not a nice way to live. I think I'll visit my doctor this week and see if I can get something to knock me out so that I can sleep in my own home. Isnt' that something? Like I'm not taking enough medication already.

Depression and desperation begin to become a regular way of life after awhile. I need to sleep for my health.

Resident Update Submitted March 27, 2010

I happened upon an article in the EMC newspaper on Thursday March 25th regarding concerns over property owned by William Hitchon Pumps and Sprouts Landscaping. The neighbours are worried about expansion and about the size of the piles of soil and dust blowing into their homes. In the article "site plan control would look at fencing, berms and vegetation plantings", Pordham said. Terry Cassidy (councillor) suggested staff meet with the appricant and Ron Hamilton said withthe wind blowing here is a concern of dust flying into neighbours homes.

Are you kidding me? Dust? We, on the Carrying Place Road have been sucking up the dust from CB Freezers for 3 years now with the promise that they are going to pave. Not going to happen! We have not been able to sleep at night or open our windows due to he noise and in the article they mention a noise bylaw from 7 p.m.to 7 a.m. Are they not part of Quinte West or are the Sidney Township laws not the same as ours?

Resident Update Submitted March 26

It has been extremely noisy of late. We have had to be up at 4:30 in the a.m. in order to pick up our son who was returning from Elliot Lake. The noise at that hour of the day was unbelievable. Our neighbours have sold their home unfortunately for the rest of us in the neighbourhood but we wish them well and understand that seven months of that was more than anyone else could endure. Reefers running at all hours, loading of trucks as well as the jet that seems to be taking off on a regular basis from the back of that building. I stepped outside at 7 a.m. to put my dog out and there was dead silence. I haven't heard that in a very long time. I'm hoping that I will be able to enjoy our yard this summer but I won't count on it. The wheels of justice turn slowly and sometimes simply grind to a halt.

I entertained the thought of holding outdoor events at my own business down the road but after being outside yesterday and hearing the drone of noise even that far away I can't see any of them being interested in coming as most of them are environmentalists and would simply not enjoy the experience. I do have to chuckle a bit when I read the City's website. There is nothing friendly about it and wouldn't encourage anyone to move here. Thank goodness I am a destination store and my customers come from out of town.

Resident Update Submitted 03/08/2010

Sunday we went for a walk along the old railbed to get a birds eye view of what was making the noise. There is a large unit off the back of CB Freezers that cuts in and really does sound like a jet taking off. They have been relatively quiet of late, just a few occasional blips but true to form they couldn't keep it up. Last night it was noisy enough to wake me up and there was a certain vibration. Not sure what that was all about. I did hear the incoming aircraft but that is not unusual and not what normally wakes me up. I did manage to get back to sleep but when I put the dog out this morning the unit was running loudly. What I dont understand is why they were allowed to put that unit there in the first place. Pillsbury had a similiar unit but had to put it inside the building or deal with the neighbourhood! My fear is that when spring and summer arrive we won't be able to spend any quality time in our yard. Oh well we can put the hacienda up for sale. I wonder how city hall will feel as the for sale signs go up or if they just don't give a shit.

A Resident Update

Submitted Saturday February 27th

"The noise this past week at night is unbelievable. Although the windows are closed when you step out on the back porch of our house it really does sound like a jet taking off. Although that noise does not affect us inside the house as the direction it is facing is north, I can hardly wait for summer when we try to spend time outdoors. I figure it will be unbearable
We'll see."

An Update

From Knickertwist...

An amazing little drama unfolded a few weeks ago and I stepped back from the upkeep of this blog. Truth be told I considered taking the whole thing down but someone came forward and said it should remain. Long story short, updates and information can now be sent to citizen@socialtech.ca who will anonymously post on behalf of affected residents.

Anyway, enough time has passed to warrant an update so here it is...

We have received a letter written on behalf of John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment. The letter states:

"... ministry staff from the Peterborough District office have been communicating with you about Canadian Blast Freezers (CBF) and are actively working to ensure the City of Quinte West and CBF resolve this noise issue."

"I can assure you that the ministry will continue to work, along with the city, to ensure that CBF undertakes the appropriate actions to mitigate the noise from their facility."

Holy mother of Saltine crackers! It only took six months and about a zillion messages to be assured that action of some sort will be taken.

For those of you who attended the meeting at Quinte West city hall, the document that the acoustic engineer said applied to this particular case is NPC-205, Sound Level Limits for Stationary Sources in Class 1 & 2 Areas (Urban) Of particular interest in this document is that aircraft noise is excluded when measuring background noise levels. This may be something to bring up with the engineer when the assessment is done.

Another update comes from the Midtown Meats union web page:

"Although we had requested to be allowed to visit the Trenton facility to ensure the Midtown Meats Ltd. Collective Agreement is not being violated, Mr. Willard has denied the request."

Hmmm.

Last, but not least, despite the fact that the Ministry of the Environment has sent assurances that the noise issue will be dealt with, and the city has hired an acoustic engineer to assess the situation, we've had enough. This entire ordeal has left us tired, miserable and worn. And so, we're putting this joint up for sale and starting the search for a house that we can make a home.

Oh, in case you were wondering, we will be voluntarily disclosing the noise issue to potential buyers.

The Meeting

I'm so proud to live in this neighbourhood. Truly. The people here are fantastic and they care deeply about this place. There were about 20 residents who attended tonight's meeting. A couple said that the noise didn't bother them personally but that they were there to show their support for neighbours who were affected by the noise. Many were kind enough to share their own experiences.

One of the things that we were asked this evening was the times/days that the noise takes place. Here's the thing, there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to when the noise occurs. Late at night, early evening, mid-morning, late afternoon... it's all over the place. What days? Again, there's no clear pattern that we can make out.

Today there was quite a bit of banging this morning, a bit of reefer noise, tomorrow there could be nothing at all, the next day reefers may run for hours on end. Some noise we don't hear at all but our neighbours will say they are disrupted. There are times we're faced with a great deal of noise that they can't hear. It really is difficult to pinpoint times and dates.

This blog expresses my personal experience with the noise bombardment from CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics. I don't expect it to make one bit of difference to the actual sound assessment. Residents know full well that CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics are the source of the noise issues in this neighbourhood and that activities at the facility exceed all other neighbourhood noise. We welcome an honest, unbiased study. All we're hoping for is the truth to be revealed, and some sort of resolution.

Meeting Day

The noise stopped at around 9:30pm on Friday... it had been going for at least two continuous hours. The noise has just this moment started up again. I'm hoping that it won't last for hours but who can tell.

I went to pay for my groceries yesterday and the transaction was declined, my account had been robbed. Given a short while to get over the initial shock of it, it really didn't bother me too much. What really blows me away is that my bank was notified that my account could be compromised and the issue was resolved fairly quickly. This noise issue, which is affecting the quality of life and well being of the people who live here, has been allowed to continue for over 2 years. I really feel that the noise bombardment from CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics is a far greater violation.

Today is the day we meet with the sound engineer. I wish I could be optimistic but our hopes for resolution have been dashed so many times before. I've become so accustomed to hearing "Sorry, nothing we can do about it" that I'm starting to expect it.

Thankfully that little round of noise has ended. Only a few minutes this time. Let's see how the rest of the day pans out.

And it continues...

still going strong.

Noise, noise, noise

I spent much of the afternoon in my basement... I could STILL hear the noise from across the street.

When we left the house just before 5pm the noise had been rumbling on for hours. We've just arrived back home and it continues.

Today I got an email from Dalton McGuinty's office. They replied to let me know that they've asked John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment, or a member of his staff, to respond to my concerns directly.

My concerns? I've been told by the Ministry of the Environment that under section 9 of the EPA Chill Chain Logistics/CB Freezers does not require any approval from MOE. I do not understand why section 14 does not apply to them.

Here's what I'm talking about...

Prohibition, discharge of contaminant 14. (1) Subject to subsection (2) but despite any other provision of this Act or the regulations, a person shall not discharge a contaminant or cause or permit the discharge of a contaminant into the natural environment, if the discharge causes or may cause an adverse effect. 2005, c. 12, s. 1 (5).

“contaminant” means any solid, liquid, gas, odour, heat, sound, vibration, radiation or combination of any of them resulting directly or indirectly from human activities that causes or may cause an adverse effect;

1. (1) In this Act, “adverse effect” means one or more of, (a) impairment of the quality of the natural environment for any use that can be made of it,(b) injury or damage to property or to plant or animal life,(c) harm or material discomfort to any person,(d) an adverse effect on the health of any person,(e) impairment of the safety of any person,(f) rendering any property or plant or animal life unfit for human use,(g) loss of enjoyment of normal use of property, and (h) interference with the normal conduct of business;

CB Freezers, Chill Chain Logistics have caused just about every 'adverse effect' on that list so why are they STILL allowed to continue. I'm looking forward to hearing what Mr. Gerretsen's office has to say about it.

And off.

Are you kidding me? It only took 4 hours!

What would you do if someone was tormenting you for 4 hours? I don't think that I could listen to something I liked for 4 hours... nevermind this sort of assault.

And here we go again.

So, we really were lucky last night as the reefer in the front loading area was moved just after 11 pm.

This morning however reefers have been running continuously since at least 5:30 am. It's now 9:30. That's 4 hours of continuous noise from CB Freezers, noise coming from the Chill Chain Logistics refrigerated trailer units. When one turns off it only lessens the noise slightly because there are three of the things parked there and turned on.

As soon as I finish up some work I'm spending the day in the basement in the hopes of escaping this bombardment.

Our Lucky Day

The rumble has stopped after only an hour+.

I guess we won't have a repeat of the 10 hour marathon.

I won't be holding my breath that the silence will last.

One Hour

One continuous hour of noise from our neighbours at CB Freezers. One hour of continuous noise from a reefer that is parked at the front loading area but should be parked in the West lot (not that that does any good to the people in the west).

I listened to hours upon hours of banging today. Banging so loud it sounded like road construction when they break up the old paving. Now the drone of a Chill Chain Logistics reefer.

It used to be that at least there was some peace during the day. Not any more.

Just in time...

Just as I'm about to put my child to bed the rumble starts again.

They've been banging about the entire day and now the night will be marked by the noise from the reefer that is parked in the front loading area of CB Freezers.

Sweet dreams indeed.

Death as an option.

As expected the noise from CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics continued from Saturday afternoon and ran well into Monday.

Monday afternoon brought a city representative to my door. She was dropping off a notice to residents about the meeting with the sound engineer on Monday the 25th. I asked her what we were to do in the meantime. She replied "I'm just the messenger."

She asked if I was the one with the blog and if I could really hear the noise from inside my house. I answered 'yes' and got upset. I'm not really a crier but I find I can't control it anymore. The tears automatically begin to flow because I'm so tired and frustrated and no one seems to give a shit that we are suffering.

"This is really affecting you huh?" she asks. I assume she doesn't know that I've asked the Ministry of the Environment if someone needs to cause themselves bodily harm in order for someone to take action... I'm certain she doesn't know that a resident has offered to do it.

New neighbours should be talking about the weather, not about death as an option for dealing with noise contamination. The thing is that my neighbour is not alone. I've been in my home, listening to the droning noise coming from CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics and thought "If I were dead I wouldn't have to listen to this anymore." But here's the thing... I don't want to die, I love life, I love my family, I love making the most out of what I have... it's an uncontrollable thought that pops into my head because there is no other choice. They will not stop and no one will stop them.

CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics does not make medicine, they do not ship organs for transplant, they are not feeding starving masses, their businesses do not better the world. We are suffering because of frozen meat meant to be shipped to China and Russia. We are suffering so that they can make money at the expense of our health, sanity and quality of life.

Have a nice weekend...

CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics have been much noisier during the day than usual this past week. On Monday I was provided with hours upon hours of banging and rest of the week gave way to greatly increased reefer and truck traffic. This in addition to nighttime noise. At least we could look forward to the weekend and perhaps a little break from the noise... nope.

On Saturday at 3:30 in the afternoon a reefer was parked in the front docking bay, directly across from our house, and left running. Despite assurances that the reefers would be kept in the West lot, there are also four reefers in the East lot... two of those have been left on.

My husband has been awake since 3:30 a.m. because of this noise. This noise is directly caused by CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics. CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics has disrupted normal family activities in our home. The actions of CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics has disrupted our sleep, has been the direct cause of health issues, has been the direct cause of mood changes, has been the direct cause of stress of such levels that I was placed on sick leave from work, it is the direct cause of being medicated for these stress and sleep issues.

I need to be medicated so that I can live in my own home because of CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics.

We are not the only household in this neighbourhood requiring 'aids' in order to sleep in our own homes and keep our sanity intact. I personally know of two other households using aids in order to sleep because of the problems brought on by CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics.

We are not the only household whose health and quality of life are diminished as a direct cause of Chill Chain Logistics/CB Freezers. Representatives from any of the Willard family companies can tell me whatever they like but many people in this community feel that CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics are directly responsible for their health and quality of life issues.

And yet our 'good neighbours' continue to bombard us with noise. CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics and the Willard family companies, continue to disrupt our lives and our sleep and effect our health. Do they really care about this neighbourhood? I don't believe they do for a second.

A not so quiet Sunday dinner.

Yesterday evening a reefer was placed in the front loading area of CB Freezers. It was left there running. Initially it ran for a continuous hour disrupting our Sunday dinner, then intermittently throughout the night, waking us up.

I know that CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logisitics keeps doling out the 'we want to be good neighbours' thing but really... if I woke my neighbours up and was this disruptive to other peoples lives you can be certain that someone would put a stop to the un-neighbourly behaviour.

My husband spoke with Gary Dyke, Chief Administrative Officer of Quinte West, this morning and we have an update:

"... the City has engaged Coulter and Associates to conduct an engineering study with respect to the issues raised regarding CB Freezers.

A date has been arranged whereby John Coulter will meet with the concerned residents to receive their input directly. The meeting will be held on Monday January 25th at 6:00 pm in the Multi-purpose Room (downstairs to the left of the stairs) at City Hall. If you could forward this information to the rest of the neighbours who attended the earlier meeting with Councillor Alyea, it would be greatly appreciated."

We'll be there with bells on.

Here we go again.

CB Freezers/Chill Chain Logistics, parked a truck with a running reefer in the East lot and woke my husband and I up early this morning.

We've been told that the running reefers would be kept in the West lot... obviously this did not happen last night.

As I mentioned in my last post, the company claims they want to be good neighbours... this obviously didn't happen last night either.