Neighbors Hope to Muffle Horn-Tootin' Locomotives
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NORTH ADAMS — Residents of the historic Blackinton neighborhood sick of being startled awake at night by loud train whistles may soon have relief.
Members of the Blackinton Neighbors will be sending a letter to the mayor within the next few weeks requesting that he aid the neighborhood group in setting a partial quiet zone between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
"The trains come through late at night, early in the morning and you can hear them all the way through the neighborhood," said Kathy Keeser, a program director for Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, who coordinates neighborhood meetings.
Mandated by federal law to blow the whistle at crossings for safety reasons, the trains sound two long, one short, and one long horn until the crossing is cleared. With two public crossings in the Blackinton neighborhood, it isn't uncommon for residents to hear trains at all hours of the night and early morning.
Over the last month, Rick Moon, a member of the neighborhood group, has helped to collect signatures from citizens who are looking for the city's support in establishing a quiet zone.
"We made sure we had the whole span from Galvin Road to Protection Avenue," said Moon at a Monday meeting of the Blackinton Neighbors, noting that legislation that passed in 2005 allows municipalities to seek quiet zones as long as other safety precautions are put in place.
Twenty-two towns in the state have railroad quiet zones but only one (Concord) has had its zone enacted since the 2005 ruling. All of the others — none of which are in Berkshire County — qualified for a "pre-rule" quiet zone, meaning the zones had existed prior to Oct. 9, 1996.
Mayor John Barrett III, who had yet to receive the paperwork from the Blackinton Neighbors on Tuesday, said he was supportive of the initiative.
"I agree with them wholeheartedly and we will do everything we can to assist them," Barrett said.
The "Final Rule on the Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings" is issued by the Federal Railroad Association and the trains that pass through town are operated by Pan Am Railways, formerly called Guilford Rail System.
Also at the meeting, held at Blackinton Union Church, residents discussed creating a neighborhood crime watch. Keeser said citizens can work in collaboration with city police officers to discourage criminals by being observant and reporting suspicious behavior.
Paul Macionus, who owns the Blackinton Manor with his wife, Laura, said general discretion is just as important as being watchful.
"Just be smart. Make sure your residences are locked. Ask for identification when people come to your door," he said. "This is a wonderful neighborhood and we've never had a problem."
