Buyout Offer, Not Eminent Domain, for Granby Neighborhood

The story broke on the Granby forum of MassLive: Westover was taking houses on Acrebrook and Sherwood Drives by eminent domain. The truth is less urgent, but troubling nonetheless: the Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation (WMDC) wants to buy out the entire neighborhood.

According to the letter read by Town Administrator Chris Martin on the recently televised meeting of the Select Board, the noise level from planes landing and taking off from Westover Airport is loud enough to cause hearing damage. This part was a little confusing. I thought the letter referred to sounds of 75 decibels (a food blender is about 90 dcb), the intensity of loud singing three feet away. Everything I've googled says a person must be exposed to 8 hours a day of 85 decibels to lose hearing.

The WMDC hopes to receive a grant to develop the airport further. It hopes to attract more carriers as well. Federal grants may eventually enable the organization to buy out as many as 30 homes in the flight path.

Matt Pilon of The Daily Hampshire Gazette interviewed Allan Blair, WMDC Chief Executive Officer and President, about the letters.

Approximately eight residents of Sherbrook Drive and Acrebrook Drive received certified letters last week from the Westover Metropolitan Development Corp. asking owners if they would be interested in selling.

Reached at home Sunday, WMDC Chief Executive Officer and President Allan W. Blair said the buyouts are voluntary and part of a federally funded program that was started 10 years ago in response to noise complaints from surrounding neighborhoods.

Several properties were purchased in nearby Chicopee as a result.

'For those people who have been living at the ends of the runway for years, here's an opportunity for them to get out from under it if they choose,' Blair said.

The neighborhood, off East Street, is in an area that is subjected to 70 to 75 decibels of noise from planes taking off.

Blair said that the WMDC has received one response already from a resident, who said he was willing to sell.

Owners are offered market value plus relocation costs, which Blair called 'a good incentive' to consider the offer.

The WMDC currently has around $1.25 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to offer the buyouts. Blair said he expects more funding will be allocated in October, when the federal budget is passed.

--Mb