Yount comment.pdf12/6/22, 10:18 AM City of Northampton Mail - Application for site plan Map Id 24C-19 YMCA expansion 7:20pm Thursday, Dec 8, 2022
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ik=fec0f72d97&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1751418526375117827%7Cmsg-f%3A17514185263751…2/3
December 5, 2022
Dear Northampton Planning Board Members,
We are Betsy and John Yount, living at 94 Massasoit Street, Northampton, our house abuts the YMCA on
two sides: the playground to the back and the parking lot to the side. We have a large, rear facing deck
with sliders we use a lot. We have lived in this house since 1995.
Noise is our biggest concern with the YMCA’s latest expansion plan. In July of 2020 the YMCA started
bringing their music and amplifiers outdoors for group classes, to the upper basketball court and parking
lot. The music volume was excessive and disruptive, and could be heard both inside and outside our home.
The repeated beating base, the instructors yelling, was new and very bothersome. We reported this to
the YMCA multiple times in July and August of 2020, some adjustments were made, but they were not
adequate.
We were invited to a zoom meeting with YMCA administrators on December 14th, 2021. We were told they
wanted to hear neighbors input on outdoor classrooms.
Multiple abutters expressed how frustrating and disruptive the loud music had been to those trying to do
work at home. Our walks in Childs Park were also disrupted by the loud music emanating from the YMCA.
The YMCA administrators appeared to listen to our concerns. The CEO said she would use our feedback
and then get back to us with a revised plan. Well that never happened. There was no follow up and this
appears to be the same plan.
We do not see how the noise will be mitigated with this new expansion, in fact, the music/noise appears to
be aimed towards our home and across the street towards other homes on Massasoit Street. With the
outdoor classrooms now regularly scheduled, disruptive noise will be the norm. When one is out on our
deck during YMCA outdoors classes, it is similar to a neighbor having a party. Being subjected to this daily
“party” for potentially hours, is stressful and out of character for a residential area. One solution for the
outdoors class noise could be earbuds for all participants.
The basketball court appears to be on the chopping block again. This court is used daily, by kids who may
not have access to another court, may not have access to the YMCA. It is an important part of our
neighborhood community.
The YMCA states it seeks to “enhance the welfare of the public by fostering healthy living … and create a
welcoming environment for all” with this project. We believe the project as written does not fulfill this goal
for the neighbors, especially in regards to noise.
Sincerely,
Betsy Yount
12/6/22, 10:18 AM City of Northampton Mail - Application for site plan Map Id 24C-19 YMCA expansion 7:20pm Thursday, Dec 8, 2022
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ik=fec0f72d97&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1751418526375117827%7Cmsg-f%3A17514185263751…3/3
John Yount
94 Massasoit Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Email: jnbyount@gmail.com
Phone: 413-387-5182