Mystic Family Wants to Address Overnight Snow Plowing

The scraping, clanking and beeping of snowplows in the middle of the night have become a startling wake-up call for some residents in Mystic.

The Troutman family lives near a CVS and Citizen's Bank in their mixed-use community on East Main Street.

Merin Troutman said she wants the plows to stop running in the parking lots overnight because she has young children who are trying to sleep. She said the nearby businesses don’t open until 8 a.m. or later.

Her husband, Matt, wrote an email to Stonington’s selectmen asking if there was a way for business’ landscaping and snow removal to not take place between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

As it stands, "unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary activity or noise" that can be heard within the confines of a home is restricted before 6 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m. on Sunday, but snow removal equipment is exempt.

The family said their concern has nothing to do with town plows or people digging out of their homes.

"When it snows it happens frequently and it’s quite loud. If there was a way to just not have as much scraping or turn off the reverse beeping on the trucks, it would make a difference," Merin Troutman said.

Matt Troutman said in an email to NBC Connecticut that he just wants to start a dialogue with the Stonington Community about whether there can be a change to make it less disruptive. He’s also looking for more information on the town’s ordinances involving noise at night.

Another neighbor said that she’s a light sleeper and she’d appreciate less noise overnight but understands why the plows are running.

The issue was tabled at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Wednesday night.

"When the snow is gone, that’ll be the end of it. It’s not really a nuisance, it’s something you got to do," First Selectman Rob Simmons said on Wednesday.

The town prioritizes schools, drug stores and grocery stores to be plowed first, Simmons said.

Matt Troutman said he was not aware his letter was being addressed Wednesday.

Merin Troutman said she’s reached out to Citizen’s Bank before about the overnight plowing a couple of years ago and they were responsive for the season. NBC Connecticut reached out for comment and they said they are looking into the matter.

In a statement, CVS said, in part, "CVS Pharmacy tries to offer the community immediate, safe access to our buildings and parking lots after snow storms and other poor weather conditions, while also complying with all local ordinances."

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