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3 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,D ecem ber 19,2019 theifp.ca IS YOUR FURNACE READY FOR A NEW SEASON? SAVE 20% ON ALL REPAIRS WITH OUR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN Christmas Decor & so much more Discover Holiday Gift Treasures! CloseD Mon. & Tues.49A Mountainview Rd N,Georgetown (just south of Armstrong) 905-877-6508 While steps have been taken to reduce airplane noise over Halton, local residents and politicians are saying that more needs to be done. Representatives from the Greater Toronto Air- ports Authority went be- fore regional council at its most recent meeting to pre- sent an annual report and field questions, with sever- al members raising the on- going concern of noisy planes flying over the re- gion on their way to and from Pearson Internation- al. Greater Toronto Air- ports Authority director of public affairs Lorrie McKee said the authority rolled out an updated noise management action plan last year and "we've made good progress." Among the plan's initia- tives are an updated com- plaints process for the pub- lic, a series of noise forums and a quiet fleet incentive program. "We're making excellent progress working with the air carriers on retrofitting the A320 aircraft, which had a particular whine," she said. Other steps being taken to reduce noise include more nighttime arrivals and departures, having the planes continuously de- scend, and increasing speeds for arriving aircraft so that they don't have to use their flaps, thus mak- ing them quieter. But Halton Hills Coun. Jane Fogal contended that from what she's observed and heard from residents, these steps aren't always being taken. "My residents are very disappointed that we're not seeing that implemented on a more regular basis," she said. "What we need is implementation of the solu- tions you've come up with." Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette shared similar sentiments and raised con- cerns about how low planes are flying over his munici- pality. "Some airlines that fly by, I could wave and I swear all the passengers are wav- ing back at me. That's how low they're flying," he said. "That's definitely a con- cern." According to authority staff, arriving aircraft must be no lower than 2,400 feet above ground, or 3,000 feet above sea level. McKee committed to fol- lowing up with Fogal to ad- dress the local concerns. Milton Coun. Mike Cluett pointed out that the number of registered noise complaints in Milton jumped dramatically from 2,443 in 2017 to 18,461 in 2018. "Is there a rash of air- planes flying over Milton that some of us haven't no- ticed to have that kind of in- crease in noise com- plaints?" he asked. McKee said there've been no major changes in flight paths or volumes, and that 98 per cent of the complaints came from one person. Council also heard a del- egation from resident Olga Shewchun, who appeared on behalf of Quality Air- space for Campbellville/ Milton, seeking support for the creation of a committee with representation from across Halton that would work with the Greater To- ronto Airports Authority, regional staff and council and focus on local aircraft noise and air pollution. "Halton residents from all four municipalities have been complaining about the noise and pollution," she noted. For more information on airplane noise, toronto- pearson.com/en/commu- nity/noise-management. NEWS AIRPLANE NOISE CONCERNS PERSIST IN HALTON MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com THE ISSUE: AIRPLANE NOISE LOCAL IMPACT: HALTON POLITICIANS SAY PEARSON'S NOISE MITIGATION SOLUTIONS AREN'T ALWAYS WORKING AND MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE STORY BEHIND THE STORY With Halton's proximity to Pearson International, airplane noise has long been an issue raised by local residents and councillors. A plane comes in for a landing at Pearson International. Low-flying, noisy airplanes are among the concerns recently brought up by Halton regional council members. Torstar file photo Shelter 519.833.2287 Thrift Shop 905.702.8661 www.uppercredit.com info@uppercredit.com Charitable Registration #893738872RR0001 The Upper Credit Humane Society wishes you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year