Warning: Noise ahead

DOVER — A Garrison City woman, who worked with a general contractor to create a sign warning about noise levels at a downtown construction site, is now pushing to make the signs a requirement.

Megan Miller, who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder with a condition commonly called Asperger syndrome, told the city Planning Board the signs help people with autism, as well as the elderly and those with anxiety and panic disorders.

Miller had told Foster’s that loud sounds “make me over-stimulated and make it hard to think what to do next.”

Janice Silver, a direct staff professional with the nonprofit Community Partners, which works with Miller, said when something over stimulates her, Miller can become discombobulated. It could be something as seemingly simple as being in a grocery store aisle pushing a shopping cart and another shopper needs you to move so they can get around. Miller can get flustered and become unable to navigate the situation as others would easily, Silver said.

“If they don’t know what to expect, it can cause confusion, whereas a little information goes a long way in helping them in making decisions,” Silver said. It can be more than not knowing what to expect. She said if Miller was walking down the street and a sudden, loud noise occurred, “it can become dangerous because you’re so focused on what you are trying to get away from you might turn around and walk into the street.”

Miller lives in the Cocheco Park apartments on Chestnut Street, less than 500 feet from the construction site where the former Robbins Auto Supply Parts stood. The building was demolished in the spring to make way for developer Cathartes’ Orpheum Apartments. Before the demolition began, Miller met with the general contractor’s director of field operations, Tom Ploude, of Fulcrum Construction. She showed her idea for a sign that would list the day’s sound activity that could be changed to low, medium or high.

Within two days, Ploude had a large yellow sign installed on the fence of the property. Miller could come out of her building, look down the street, and know if she had to alter her path. She views the sign like a traffic light. When it’s low, she can walk by the site to the McConnell Center where she takes classes, or to the Dover Public Library. If it’s medium, she can bring her earplugs with her and consider if she needs to make an alternate route. “High is stay away. Dangerous. Don’t go there,” Miller said.

A few weeks later, Ploude had the signs updated, making them consistent with Fulcrum’s logo colors as well as giving design credit to Miller. Ploude had told Foster’s at the time that a friend’s daughter has a similar condition as Miller’s. “When Megan approached me, I was willing to do whatever it took.” Plus, being a good neighbor is also good for business, he said. “It leads to a good, lasting relationship. Hopefully, we get the next job that comes into town.”

Ploude told Miller this week that he has ordered two signs for their Central Avenue project for the Dover Emergency Room located near Exit 7 of the Spaulding Turnpike.

At the Planning Board meeting last week, Miller gave a PowerPoint presentation that appeared to be well received by the board. Board Chair Kirt Schuman said he had received positive comments from “residents that have appreciated the efforts you put forth because it has made their life better as well.”

Board alternate Tristan Donovan told Miller the idea for requiring signs on urban construction sites “is an excellent idea.” He said when he first saw the sign, he took a photo of it as something to recommend to the construction company he works for. “It clears up the ambiguity. It’s such a simple solution,” he said.

Board member Lee Skinner was supportive of the idea but was concerned about unintended consequences. Skinner wondered how the sound levels would be determined. He also asked what happens when a resident calls to complain the sound level is incorrect. “How do we deal with it? Who deals with it? The Police Department or the Planning Department?” he asked. “As a voluntary thing, it worked smashingly well.”

Assistant City Manager Christopher Parker, who heads the Planning Department, said he thought the best course would be to use board’s Planning Technical Review Committee, which does initial site review on projects, to suggest the use of the signs. Parker said it would allow the board to see how often it is used before considering incorporating it into planning ordinances.