On the evening of 11 March 2003 some of the concerned neighbors of Parker Street  
regarding  tennis bang-board noise (Helene Euart, Maria Haynes, and Richard Petrasso ) met 
with the Town’s Recreation Committee, chaired by Sandra Shaw and co-chaired by  Pamela 
Varrin.   A cordial meeting took place in which various solutions were investigated and 
presented by Public Grounds Superintendent David Pinsonneault who, in advance, had worked 
with Richard Petrasso in formulating these solutions.  While not commenting on the efficacy of 
all the proposals, or some combination, the most important included: 
       
1.	Changing the hours of bang-board use  ( zero cost)
2.	Covering the existing bang board with modern sound absorbing material 
while maintaining its   functionality as a tennis bang board (roughly $8000)
3.	Erecting a sound barrier around the north end of the bang board, adjacent to 
the Parker side of the bang board  (roughly $8000)
4.	Erecting a vegetative barrier around the north end of the bang-board pad by 
planting additional trees (roughly $3000) 
5.	Moving the existing bang board to the North end of the bang-board pad 
(roughly $3000) so that bang-board noise would have to penetrate through 
the bang board before transmitting sound towards Parker residents 
       
       At this meeting MIT physicist and Parker St. resident Richard Petrasso  presented 
measurements of bang-board noise that showed that reflected noise from the north-side use of 
the bang board (the side closest to Parker St.) results in shock noise that ranged from 68 to  78* 
dBA  at the Parker St. property line, i.e. about 30 dBA** above average ambient noise levels of 
about 43 dBA (or about 20 dBA**  above the legal limits prescribed in the Lexington Town 
Noise By-Laws).  Bang-board use of the Worthen facing-side of the bang board resulted in 
transmitted noise that ranged from  58 to  69* dBA at the Parker St. property line (a significant 
reduction, but still about 10 dBA** above the legally prescribed limits).   [As this is potentially 
important to future considerations, such as Proposal Number 5, it was discussed that the 
transmitted noise level is much less severe (by about 10 dBA**) than the reflected noise level 
when both are measured at the Parker St. property line.]   
       
       The view was expressed by Parker St. residents that a long-term solution be sought that 
attempts to bring the bang-board noise as close as possible into compliance with the Lexington 
Town Noise By-Laws  (i.e. 10 **dBA above ambient noise levels at the property line).  The 
suggestion was also made that consideration be given to some adjustment in the hours of bang-
board use, especially in the morning, until a longer-term solution is found.  The Recreation 
Committee  noted sympathetically that, even if their deliberations prompted them to ameliorate 
the problem,  they have no money in this year’s budget to implement any solution requiring 
funds, although it was duly noted that long-term solution #2 would likely reduce present 
maintenance costs (since the modern plastic material of which it is comprised is far more 
resistant to the wear-and-tear damage of repetitive ball impacts and to the effects of inclement 
weather than the present plywood construction). The Recreation Committee asked that 
concerned Parker St. residents prioritize their recommendations and that this consensus be 
presented at the next meeting,  Monday, 14 April, 2003,  at 6:45 PM. 
       
       *  Variations in the range of bang-board noise with the strike of each tennis ball are 
largely a result of two factors:  First, the strength with which the tennis ball is hit; and second, 
the exact location of impact of the ball on the bang board, as some locations on the plywood 
structure generate more resonant noise than others.  
       
       * *  Loudness is based on a logarithmic scale (which closely mirrors the human ear 
response), where each 3 dBA  corresponds to a factor of two more sound intensity;  thus 10 
dBA corresponds to a factor of 10 more intensity;  20 dBA to a factor of 100;  and 30 dBA to a 
factor of 1000 more intensity.  
       
       Notes of Richard Petrasso,    petrasso@psfc.mit.edu,   781- 863-8820
       39 Parker St.