Idling truck engines, noisy heating and cooling air handlers, late night deliveries — the Bailey family has heard it all.
But for once, Marc Bailey says he would like someone to listen to him.
Bailey, his wife, Robin and two children, Morgan, 13, and Mason, 6, say it’s tough to get a good night’s rest.
After all, their scenic Dutchtown Road home sits just 800 feet away from the loading dock at the new Virtua Voorhees Hospital, which opened in May.
The family has lived in the home since 1987 and was one of the few homes spared from destruction to make way for the 368 bed, 680,000-square foot regional medical center. The Baileys said they had no intention of moving when they learned of plans to build close to their home.
Robin Bailey said the construction process was tough on the family, but looking back, she says the worst was yet to come. She said her children were denied bus service at one point because there was too much construction.
“We thought we’d just be patient until the hospital opens. We wanted to be good neighbors,” Robin Bailey said. “Since it’s opened, we’ve had many more complaints.”
Both Marc and Robin admit the new hospital isn’t the worst possible building that could occupy the once-wooded and secluded landscape. Originally, they both thought the constant beckon of ambulance sirens would keep them up, but were pleasantly surprised to find that was not the issue.
What they didn’t expect though was the 24-hour hustle and bustle at the loading dock. So the Baileys have been asking the township to enforce the noise ordinance.
The state Noise Control Act says between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., outside noise must remain under 50 decibels. Noise may reach 65 decibels in the daytime hours.
Marc Bailey said Virtua is far from obeying the noise ordinance, but says the hospital has made steps to alleviate the sound issues by rerouting snack and soda truck deliveries and the like to daytime hours.
Voorhees Mayor Michael Mignogna said the police department is working to monitor the situation at the loading dock.
“Police presence has been increased to make sure such deliveries are done pursuant to the local ordinance,” Mignogna said. “Also, Virtua has taken steps to ensure that all deliveries are made at acceptable times pursuant to the ordinance.”
Virtua Hospital officials, through a spokesperson, declined to comment last week on all matters involving nearby residents due to pending litigation.
The Baileys said they recognize the need for some deliveries, but want some form of action taken to remediate the noise situation.
The few houses that are just north of the Baileys’ home along Dutchtown Road border the back edge of the Kresson Golf Course and Lion’s Lake Park and one of Virtua’s parking lots, where there is not as much need for enforcement of the noise ordinance.
Further south, past a newly divided Dutchtown Road, by way of the implementation of a roped-off cul de sac, sit hundreds of homes in the Sturbridge and Regency neighborhoods, which are accessible by Cooper Road to the west.
Marc Bailey said residents from those communities asked Virtua and the township to help minimize the traffic cutting through their streets, as well as the bright lights that would shine through their homes at night from cars traveling to the hospital on Bowman Drive.
Mignogna said the hospital has spent ample time meeting with residents from the area to address their needs.
“In response to the Sturbridge Lakes residents’ concerns about traffic issues, Virtua moved the location of the main entrance to the campus,” Mignogna said. “In order to decrease traffic on Dutchtown Road, which was a concern of the neighbors during the planning stage, the township engineer suggested Virtua install a cul de sac on Dutchtown Road so there is no longer through traffic.”
In addition, other improvements have been made south of the Dutchtown divide.
“Virtua has had several meetings with representatives of the township and adjacent neighbors to address concerns,” Mignogna said. “As a result of those meetings, and with input from the residents, Virtua installed a fence along Dutchtown Road and added trees and bushes as a buffer.”
Marc Bailey said he wonders why Virtua wouldn’t be able to accommodate the other side of Dutchtown Road with a sound barrier of some sort.
“If they can’t comply, then why not a sound barrier? I don’t think we shouldn’t ever be able to sleep again,” he said.
Marc Bailey said he’s commented numerous times at township committee meetings, met with township officials, filed noise summons and has also met with officials from Virtua.
The family has even recently hired an attorney, Stuart Lieberman of Lieberman & Blecher, who said he has not yet taken any official action against Virtua, but plans to do so in the near future.
“We firmly believe Virtua is a wonderful institution, but everyone’s got to be a good neighbor,” Lieberman said. “We’re evaluation our legal options.”
Still, Bailey said, he hopes for some movement in his quest to limit the noise at the loading dock.
He’s recently started a Facebook page in the hopes of garnering community support. He’s posted videos he took at all hours of the night, documenting consistent trucks and deliveries at the dock. On his Virtua Neighbors Association page, he also includes bar graphs of his sleep schedule, as well as notes and progress from his efforts.
But even with an unclear future on the noise issue front, Marc Bailey said he’s not ready to give up fighting for his home and his family.
