Nov.13.2009
12:40 pm
by Lisa
War of the Bells
If you reside within Southern Marine Park in the vicinity of Flatbush Avenue, chances are that you are cognizant of the bells being rung every hour, on the hour, by St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Although I live a few blocks away, I oftentimes hear the bells very clearly so one can imagine what they must sound like for residents adjacent to the church. One displeased resident on Coleman Street between Flatlands Avenue and Avenue P has chosen to voice his/her concern through artistic means for at least the past year, possibly two years. Reminiscent of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” the painting displayed in front of the house (in addition to the signage) clearly exhibits the owner’s sentiments toward the bells.
Can neighbors offer some further information concerning this? Has St. Thomas reached out to this owner? Since this signage is still up, it is probably safe to say that this problem has not been rectified and may not be for quite some while.
Filed in Homeowners, Oddities, Religious Institutions | 55 responses so far
I don’t think it’s St. Thomas’ bells you’re hearing every hour but the the bells at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Ave. R. If I’m not mistaken, the bells at St. Thomas are only rung for Mass and there are fewer and fewer of those.
There has been an ongoing discussion between the homeowner and the pastor but what can you say? If you buy a house on the block of a church, you’re likely to hear bells. I’ll bet those signs are doing a number on the people trying to sell their homes there.
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john Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
yes the bells go off every hr.& at 12 noon & 6 pm for 3 1/2 min.The pastor will not talk to us about it. & it is ST.THOMAS.Come knock on my door so we can talk about it.I’ll even give you a cup of coffee.
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LQuinlan Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
I live halfway between the two churches, probably closer to St. Thomas and I’ve never heard them unless I’m in church. I hear the ones from Ave. R easily.
The situation you describe sounds very difficult to live with and it seems that it could be easily remedied with the cooperation of the pastor. It’s a shame that a compromise can’t be reached.
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Elyse in Brooklyn Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I live around the corner, about 1/2 block from St. Thomas Aquinas, and I can assure you that these “bells” (I have been told that they are recordings of bells which are broadcast through the neighborhood via loudspeakers), are incredibly loud to those who live nearby. If I have company in my rear garden in the summer, all conversation must stop until the “bells” have ceased; and they do not permit me to sleep past 7:50 a.m. on Sunday mornings. My sympathies go to the people who live between Holy Trinity on Avenue R and St. Thomas Aquinas – they get it from both ends!!
These “bells” are sounded every hour on the hour, Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (and at other times – e.g., 5:20 p.m. on Saturdays), with hymns and other “music” played at noon and 6:00 p.m.. And if that wasn’t bad enough, on Sundays, the “bells” BEGIN at 7:50 a.m., and are repeated at around 10:10 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 12:20 p.m., etc., depending on when they have services (obviously they don’t want to disturb their own services).
Also, these “bells” began in November of 2006, after at least 40 years, according to the long time residents of the area, of silence. Neighbors of the Church, including myself, notified their offices soon after the commencement of the “ringing” – objecting to the timing, frequency and loudness of the bells. Upon meeting with several neighbors, including the person with the signage that is pictured on this site, a petition was drawn up, which was signed by almost 60 neighbors, stating our objections and requesting a meeting with Pastor Doyle. Doyle has never met with me, or the other neighbors active in this matter, despite our numerous requests to do so (a passing word to the neighbor with the signs does not equal a meeting on the subject). This issue was also raised in a letter to the Diocese of Brooklyn; the Diocese’s response was to back Doyle, without speaking to the community.
Unfortunately, dispite numerous complaints to the City, ECB has done nothing. And, from what I can tell, the ECB hearing officers misapply the City ordinance, which exempts schools and religious institutions’ use of instruments, such as bells, organs, etc., from the City noise pollution code, by applying it to RECORDINGS of such instruments which are broadcast through LOUDSPEAKERS. (The stated purpose of the noise code is to protect the City’s citizens health and ability to enjoy their property – how can any entity be exempted from this legitimate concern?)
Obviously, in addition to creating sleep issues for those who live nearby (and there are some people who work nights and must sleep during the day), and the diminishment of the enjoyment of our property, the value of the property and the ability to sell it will also be negatively impacted.
It still astounds me, but no longer surprises me, when one sees a “man of God” taking a dismissive attitude towards others. This is especially true in this case because Doyle was advised that his decision to install these “bells” has caused serious problems for his neighbors, but refuses to meet with these neighbors, or do anything to minimize its impact. Thus, the signs exhibited by our neighbors are rightfully aimed at Doyle, who apparently feels he need not consider his neighbors or his community.
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H Reply:
December 7th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Honestly, our real estate agent took us to see a home recently and it was right next to the home with all the signs and at no point were we able to take that showing seriously. My son went to the school across the street and my husband and I used to joke about what it must be like to have to live somewhere where either the bells are actually that horrible or the neighbors are that irritable. And that was before there was a camcorder mounted on a stake in the lawn. lol We don’t live there and aren’t considering it so I have no idea which one would be the one to get to us but one of the two would be bound to. Maybe he’s a great neighbor and the bells really are that bad. Or maybe they’re no worse than what I hear a few times a day while I walk around the area and he’s overreacting…I don’t know which it is and I don’t care to find out. So in response for LQuinlan- As someone looking to buy a home it’s absolutely something that people take into consideration…it was a total deal breaker for us. Would I love to walk my small children across the street to school and shopping? Absolutely. But not at the expense of my sanity. We’ll walk a few blocks and pay a bit more….
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Ringing the bells every hour is excessive, unnecessary and disrespectful to the Church’s neighbors. Sure, you buy a house next to a church so you should expect to hear the bells a couple of times on Sunday and maybe once a day during the week. But, all day long??? That’s not right. I grew up in this neighborhood and never remember the bells ringing at all hours. Hearing church bells from afar, as I do, is a beautiful thing but if your’re within a couple of blocks it just becomes a loud nuisance that is totally unnecessary and unfair to people who just want some peace and quiet.
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john Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING .
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I really like the art! So effective in its message.
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In my Neighborhood of Gerritsen Beach we have a church that rings the bells every hour on the hour and i find it peaceful cause at the end of the ringing there is a single ring for the hour in case you forget your watch
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Elyse, thank you for all the great information! You have certainly filled in some holes in my post so thanks for that! It is disheartening that this situation isn’t even being addressed by St. Thomas, despite all your efforts – petition, letter to the Diocese, contacting ECB. Perhaps involving local politicians?
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I visit the person who has the signs in front of his house on Coleman Street. If you are in front of the house when the recording of bells starts, the volume is excessive to say the least. You cannot talk to someone while the recording is going on and on and on because you can’t hear anything except the recording. I know the person who has the signs out, John, has tried to talk to people connected to the church, attended community meetings, given signed petitions to the church, contacted the Diocese, talked to local politicians, stories have appeared in neighborhood papers, he was interviewed by and a story was on the Brooklyn News Channel, to no avail. Having lived in his house for more than 30 years, to have this noise start two years ago and not go away is a shame–shame on you Father Doyle.
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LovetheBells Reply:
December 5th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
30 years is too long, change is good. Carol, make the real estate appt and go with John. Request a lovely home in the wide open fields of North Dakota.
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I have been a visitor to Coleman Street and have heard the infamous “bells” for myself for years. For those of you saying that “the neighborhood has changed, long live the Church” and other comments in favor of the bells… you are seriously misdirected. If you read or watched any of the press coverage, or have spoken to any of the neighbors, you would realize that they do not object to God, the Church or church bells. These people are not heathens despite what Fr. Doyle might have you think. What they DO object to is the extreme, ear-splitting VOLUME and FREQUENCY of the bells, which makes it miserable to live in a home you have lived in for 40 years or more. To add insult to injury, the residents were turned away and snubbed when they approached the Church, thinking “they must not realize how loud the bells are, surely they do not wish to annoy the community?” They are sent away, scoffed at as if they, their families, their quality of life is of no concern- the priest wishes to have no dialogue with his neighbors. If your neighbor asked you politely to turn the volume down on your stereo, wouldn’t you say, sure, SORRY I didn’t realize it was so loud… or would you stick your middle finger up at them?…well this is New York where we all have to live closer than we’d like so the only way to survive is to compromise and be courteous, isn’t it? well, Fr Doyle essentially tells them, his neighbors, community and fellow church members/ followers/supporters, that he DOESN’T GIVE A *!# what they think! He’s going to turn the volume up even higher for daring to complain, so there! He doesn’t care if he is annoying them – let’s face it, he is just pissed that someone dared to disagree with him and challenge him. Doesn’t he preach about common courtesy to your fellow man? Being caring of others? The “holier than Thou” dismissive attitude and the lack of total concern for others is much worse than the Bells themselves. These people have a right to be upset and I support them. Church bells are supposed to be WELCOMING, not blaring and obtrusive. Father Doyle – you are defeating the entire purpose of the bells simply by refusing to turn down the volume. Instead of the bells being a welcoming presence and symbol of God’s love and acceptance, you have made them into a symbol of how one person can antagonize a community by hiding behind religion. What a disgrace to OUR religion. Another example of rogue members of the church using God as their defense to do anything they wish. Instead of attracting more followers to the church, you are driving them all away. I guess you feel that you can do whatever you please because you are a priest. Don’t expect your community to just take that lying down. People are not stupid and they are not your doormats- they are not going to give you unearned respect while you dish out huge heapings of disrespect. GO NEIGHBORS! don’t cowtow to this hypocrite. keep up the fight.
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Anonymous Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I can’t believe the arrogance of this man of God! What happened to Love Thy Neighbor? Maybe John or some other neighbors should make some noise of their own, at a time when it would be inconvienient for the pastor, like when he is trying to sleep. I would watch for the lights to go out in the rectory and then turn on the ghetto blaster. See how he likes it. Good Luck in your fight.
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by the way did I mention the bells are not a soft, beautiful, clanging, actual church bell but a LOUDSPEAKER recording blaring at you!
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You can try clicking your rub red slippers three times but I doubt if even that will bring you back to the “good old days.” Saint Thomas also uses three huge load speakers mounted on the rectory roof. I guess the clergy can be just as inconsiderate, thoughtless and arrogant as the rest of us.
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Ringing bells that are not even bells but a recording for no reason other than because you can–to me that is not only inconsiderate of you neighbors, your community, your fellow human beings.
Just because you can do something, doesn’t always mean you should.
As a religious person, you would think that the pastor of the church would want to be seen as understanding, able to compromise, listen if someone has a complaint and trly to resolve an on-going issue reflecting on how the church is treating people in the community it is in.
Oh, well, another instance of someone with a little bit of power having to show how powerful they are, and the everyday people having to try to find a way to go on knowing that all they can do is try to make these people realize that being considerate–and not rude–is the right thing to do.
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I have a life, and had a very nice life as a Marine Park resident and St. Thomas parishioner for over 16 years. The volume of the bells are negatively impacting the quality of my life and that of my neighbors.
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I was here first, 30 years.MOVE———- how dare you————
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LovetheBells Reply:
December 5th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
whah whah whah, take your sanity and go. Ring—-ring—–ring—–
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“Anonymous”: Why should someone have to move if a situation like this occurs? I have noticed such an increased sense of insensitivity and rudeness between neighbors within the community. For instance, if I had a dollar for every time an inconsiderate person parked in my driveway, I would be very wealthy and living in the tropics somewhere. I have lived in the neighborhood my whole life and only within the past few years have I noticed such rudeness that really makes me say “I’d like to move.” But at the end of the day, I won’t move, at least not right now. John has every right to feel as he does and I completely support him. The Church is supposed to be a beacon of the community and is founded on charity, humility, and serving its parishioners. Doyle refusing to even meet with Mr. Russo and the Diocese ignoring him flat out is just a travesty.
- Lisa, MarineParker
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Elyse in Brooklyn Reply:
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Lisa, Thank you for starting this discussion on the web.
Based upon the responses you are getting, happily it seems clear that most people can empathize with the consequences of daily, hourly, loud “bells” which intrude into our homes. It is also equally clear that those who believe that people should move, (or use earplugs, as some woman told the Chanel 12 reporter) rather than the Church act reasonably, will never object to anything that this priest/Church, or perhaps any religious institution, does.
This all is particularly irksome since I have yet to hear any explanation, religious or otherwise, to justify hourlly broadcasts of recorded bells! We all have watches.
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It appears the “stop the bells” brigade is flooding this site. I live 2 blocks from Holy Trinity on 37th st and the chimes from this church every hour are beautiful. They are peaceful and are not a disturbance at all. I don’t hear the St. Thomas bells but will make a visit to that church to see for myself. The majority of the people near Holy Trinity love these bells and this article and recent publicity on John Russo will bring out the pro bell people. I will get involved in any campaign to keep these bells ringing at Holy Trinity and we will get more than 58 signatures to stop it. Maybe a nice peacefull protest in front of John Russo’s house with about 500 people.
Also why no complaints about the Friday sundown siren that is played twice to alert Jewish people to sundown. This siren is located on Ave N and Ocean Ave but it is so loud you hear it in Marine Park. It just started in the past 2 years. It sounds like an air raid.
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Beachwalker Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 10:11 am
OMG, is that what that is? We hear that siren in the afternoon and have wondered what it is. If I hear it loud where I am, it has to be awful at N and Ocean. I think there is a big difference between the bells at Holy Trinity and St. James in Gerrittsen, and this loud recording at St. Thomas. If the Pastor at St. Thomas would only meet with the people complaining and try to reach a compromise that all could live with…. It does seem excessive.
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Elyse in Brooklyn Reply:
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
To Tony —– Are you actually comparing the siren which is sounded two times (ten minutes apart?) to alert Orthodox Jews to the beginning of the Sabbath, which is only at sundown, ONCE A WEEK, to hourly ringing every single day, most of which is totally unrelated to any religious observance? And, although I dislike the siren even more than these “bells” (it really is quite unpleasant), I have no issue with a once a week annoyance. I do have a problem with an hourly annoyance which literally interferes with my life and enjoyment of my home. Increased distance from the bells seems to increase the pleasure they engender.
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Arthur B Reply:
November 22nd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
The Shabbos Siren plays whenever Shabbos or a Jewish Holiday begins at Sundown. I live 1 block away from where the siren sounds and it’s fracking LOUD.
But, I tolerate it because it doesn’t happen every day. I understand that it rings out once a week and on special occasions and I can accept that. It’s been ringing for more then 2 years by the way. I’ve been here for 6 years and its always played.
There is a major difference between a Bell that rings every day and a Siren that sounds once a week. If that Siren went off everyday I’d have filed a lawsuit a long time ago.
This demonic bell rings out every day and it has nothing to do with religion. It’s causing needless strife in the community. I’ve driven through Marine Park when that Bell goes off and It’s scared the frack out of me almost causing me to get into an accident.
DOWN WITH THE BELL. Nobody should have to move.
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john Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Thank you.
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It amazes me that people have such time to get so involved in this issue. There are so many real quality of life issues- traffic, speeding dollar vans, porno shops on Flatbush Avenue, garbage, etc, that I find it impossible that people are so caught up in bells that ring for about 1 minute every hour for 10 hours. And speaking of quality of life- why don’t we address Mr. Russo and his blaring car alarm, and air horns while services are going on. His signs are disgusting and I’m thankful I don’t live anyway near him- because his signs are out 24 hours a day. This portrays the neighborhood in a very poor light.
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john Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Chris ,glad you don’t live near me.
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Chris Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Maybe you should show a little more concern for your neighbors. If you are going to pontificate about the bells which obviously some people take offense at, but most do not, you should be more concerned with the public nuisance that your signs create. You’re not raising the property values on your block with those amateurish signs. They look like ransom notes. Also, personal attacks against Father Doyle are unnecessary and only reveal you to be a small vindictive person. Make sure you own up to your air horn, radio, and car alarm antics during your next interview.
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Tony Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
spot on chris !
Elyse / Arthur – I live 3 blocks from the bells and they don’t bother me at all. They are pleasant in my opinion. The siren doesnt bother me either but I believe an arguement can be made for these as well. I don’t consider either an annoyance.
Chris – I try to get involved in all issues that affect our neighborhood. All you points are valid issues. We should also address the graffitti in the area and what about these properties that start these major construction jobs only to realize they don’t have zoning or proper permits so they abadon these structures. Herrs and the house on Fillmore Ave and 35th st are example of these.
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Arthur B Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Tony you seem to be missing the point.
It doesn’t matter in the slightest that the Bell doesn’t bother you. If you’re able to live with it thats wonderful.
However, the bell is bothering SOME residents. Even if it was only a single resident (and its clearly not) the Church should still show some god damned respect at its neighborhoods and work out a compromise of some sort.
The Church has not done so, and local residents, yourself not included, are still having their lives impacted in a negative way. These people deserve to live their lives in their homes, without doing anything extra. That’s the right of every person, you can’t deny that.
When living together in a society we’re supposed to make compromises to get along together, especially when living in the close confines of a city. It’s just common sense and common decency. Do you get what i’m saying? Do you understand what the problem is here?
There are certainly other quality of life issues that need to be addressed but they deserve their own forum. It’s not fair to throw other issues in the face of this one. So long as a single resident has a problem the issue deserves equal time.
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Tony Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Arthur I get what you are saying. My issue and that of many people, is that there are many things that bother us or that impact our lives, and we cant go about changing all of these issues. If you live near a train station, the noise of the train may bother you. If you live near a school yard, the sound of children playing may annoy you as well. There are more people that live near the Church that are not bothered by the bells, than those that are. This guy in particular seems like a nut. If he wants to express is concern that is understood, but to sound his car alarm to disturb a religious ceremony or to blast an air horn to do the same, takes away his credibility. The stupid signs dont help either. The Pastor should meet with him and perhaps they can lower it a bit, but I dont believe that Mr.Russo cant conduct a conversation in his house or hear the TV when the bells ring. I went there and stood right next to the church across from Russo’s house and the bells were not that loud. If I went in my car and shut the windows they were even more muffled, so I would imagine that the sound from inside a house would be even less. Maybe the older you get the more things seem to annoy someone.
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Arthur B Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
The noise of the Train is unavoidable. It’s simply a part of living in the city.
However, the problem with the Church is. Especially if the Church is rebroadcasting the Bell over speakers, at which point it’s breaking the law.
The exception in the noise code for religious institutions goes too far.
I can’t speak to any of this nonsense about car alarms or air horns. If he’s blowing an Air-horn then he’s disrupting everyone in the community the same as the Church and he could/should be fined.
As for the signs, he has every right to post them on his property. If his neighbors are that worried about the signs then mayhap they should find a way to mediate the situation with the Church.
So long as he follows the law *shrug*.
Chris Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
The problem here is that we are talking about a small minority of people who seem to object to the bells. Since we live in a democracy you have to go with the majority. Not everyone is going to be happy. You can’t please all of the people all of the time. Regarding the air horn and the car alarm, amazingly not one of his supporters seem to be bothered by that. Regarding the signs- again this shows disrespect to his fellow neighbors. He is making the block a laughing stock.
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bagels Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
You’re right – only a small group of our neighbors are affected by the loud speakers. Those “bells” started “ringing” a few years ago and for what purpose? Do they really have to activate the recordings with such frequency? The answer is no. That small minority of people you mentioned pay the same bloated real estate tax bill as the rest of us so they are entitled to the same quality of life. Would you agree with this?
LovetheBells Reply:
December 5th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
The car horns bother me every day in front of my house….honk…honk…honk…honk…honk….why don’t you people stop honking your damn car horns….its for safety purposes only….stop already with the car horns….stop it john with your car horn, car alarm…stop it all already….
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This issue has certainly got a TON of press (first on MarineParker though!) and has sparked a lot of commentary throughout the community. It is CLEAR that there are many issues in the neighborhood that people would like to discuss/rant on/remedy.
I am thinking of holding “open forums” to debate issues that we all face – construction/traffic/annoying neighbors/parking issues/tons of crap left on our doors from advertisements, etc. Any thoughts/ideas on this? Would this be something you would be amenable to?
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Arthur B Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Is that not the very purpose of a Community Board?
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Please respect your neighbors, Father Doyle! I came from Philadelphia to see where my grandparents were married and was shocked that the church was being so disrespectful to the community.
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Tony Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Greg do you actually think the bells are so annoying and loud. Have you actually heard them. You also fail to express your shock that the people who dont like the bells sound their car alarms and blast air horns when mass is in session. Is this not disrespectul to the church and the community ?
I bet your grandparents loved those bells.
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john Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Tony, you just don’t get it.
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Tony Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I get and get it and the majority of us get it. You just don’t it.
Mr. Russo has added a new sign that says ” If my dogs were barking all day the polcie would be here”. He is comparing barking dogs to church bells!
Barking dogs are covered under the nuisance noise laws in NYC and are enforceable by law… church bells/chimes are not as you know so your sign makes no sense.
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john Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
You still don’t get it.
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Tony Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I get it. You are acting like an old, bitter person. We all get it except you. If getting it means agreeing to your point of you I hope I never get it.
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LovetheBells Reply:
December 5th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Right, time for the old folks home john.
Another case of a church deciding to install a roof-top speaker system and blaring computer-generated noise prompted this web site.
http://www.stopthebells.info/
The main site will be going live… soon. Meanwhile, there is just a temporary one-page site at that address.
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Tony Reply:
November 29th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Ths is obvious an atheist website. Jus like the atheist were successful in stopping the nativity and all holiday displays at the court house in washington state. The bells are not blaring or obnoxious. Their decibel from the inside of the house is lower than average conversation. An official sound test will soon be posted on this site and the media will have access to this as well. This will expose the real agenda of the “stop the bells campaign”. Below is the banner of the atheist website for stop the bells which clearly shows the true agenda. When the main goal is to “silence those obnoxious bells, chimes, musics, chants ….. from religious facilities.. etc…. The indication that religion is intrusive is the manfiesto of the atheist and communist. “A Friend”, you are no friend of the majority of people that read this website. So comrade I can ensure you that the site you reference will have more comments against the support of this issue.
Quote
The all-new Stop The Bells web site – intended to be a national resource for everyone who is looking for information, advice, and ideas to help silence those obnoxious bells, chimes, music, chants, and other intrusive noises from religious facilities, city hall, schools, and more.
This will be a repository of information culled from various places, advice, commentary, a forum with a section for each of the 50 US states, suggestions for actions to take, sample letters and other documents, and much more.
This is not going to be about anti-religion or anti-freedom of speech.
What it IS about is anti-noise pollution, and restoring or maintaining peace and quiet in the community
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Ring a ling….hear them ring…..its Christmas time in the city……
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Honestly, our real estate agent took us to see a home recently and it was right next to the home with all the signs and at no point were we able to take that showing seriously. My son went to the school across the street and my husband and I used to joke about what it must be like to have to live somewhere where either the bells are actually that horrible or the neighbors are that irritable. And that was before there was a camcorder mounted on a stake in the lawn. lol We don’t live there and aren’t considering it so I have no idea which one would be the one to get to us but one of the two would be bound to. Maybe he’s a great neighbor and the bells really are that bad. Or maybe they’re no worse than what I hear a few times a day while I walk around the area and he’s overreacting…I don’t know which it is and I don’t care to find out. So in response for LQuinlan- As someone looking to buy a home it’s absolutely something that people take into consideration…it was a total deal breaker for us. Would I love to walk my small children across the street to school and shopping? Absolutely. But not at the expense of my sanity. We’ll walk a few blocks and pay a bit more….
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Lisa Reply:
December 8th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
H, you bring up a wonderful point. On the one hand, each owner has property rights as vested in their deed/proof of ownership. On the other hand, “public displays” – which can be religious, artistic, the paint color on one’s house, the condition of a house, lack of upkeep/ongoing construction, etc – can affect the property values of not only adjacent properties, but the surrounding block.
I see both sides to this argument. Great discussion, folks.
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For all those that care, the bells were measured with a sound meter several times last week. The conditions had to be ideal which means no winds which affect the sound test. The sound test was taken from inside a car with the windo open directly in front of the church across from the complaintif’s house. Assuming the sound decibel inside his house with the windows closed or open would even be lower.
The bells and chime never passed 54 db level which according to various studies is lower than 60 db sound levels such as conversational speech, birds at 10 feet.
The bells / chimes are the same db as conversation in a home and are lower than the sound from an average television in a home.
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Lisa Reply:
December 8th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Interesting findings, Tony. Good to know!
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