It’s not an unfamiliar story. Just a few weeks ago, the residents of Windsor Locks, a town in Connecticut, gathered at a local high school for a town meeting. While there, more than 100 residents voiced concerns about noise created by the nearby Bradley International Airport.
As of right now, due to recent map updates, only one area home actually qualifies for soundproofing paid for by the airport. In general, homes in areas where the sound reaches 65 decibels or more often receive federal funding for soundproofing. There are, however, many homes who live on the “fringe” of these areas, experiencing higher than normal levels of noise on a daily basis.
The real problem in Windsor Locks isn’t necessarily the denial of funds, but the fact that many homes were once promised funds and have now been removed from the list. They have bypassed opportunities to soundproof their homes or install new windows and doors, believing assistance was on the way. Now it’s not.
What would you do if you were a resident of Windsor Locks? What would you do to convince the FAA to change its mind and expanding the map of homes eligible for relief? Would you soundproof your own home, or would you give up and move? Sound off…