To the editor:

Bentley’s Saloon has approached the town of Arundel to increase its occupancy from 180 to more than 700.

In November 2009, I circulated a petition that was signed by 300 Kennebunk residents who believe quality of life has been significantly compromised by the great number of excessively loud motorcycles coming through our town and asked Arundel town officials to deny Bentley’s Saloon mass gathering permits and any requests for expanded occupancy.

I am urging planning board members to deny the request. The number of loud motorcycles coming through Kennebunk is already a nightmare. I shudder to think of the impact of more motorcycles assaulting our town with their loud pipes.

I believe the planning board members have a social responsibility to deny the operation of businesses that have a negative impact on the emotional and physical well-being of neighboring residents.

The World Health Organization recognizes excessive noise as a serious health hazard as opposed to a mere nuisance and maintains excessive noise can cause cardiovascular and psycho-physiological effects.

Indeed, many Kennebunk residents have complained about stress and anguish caused by exposure to excessive motorcycle noise. There have been accounts of anxiety, sleep deprivation, elevated blood pressure and depression.

In addition to noise issues, there is also the concern of air pollution. The American Lung Association of Maine is supporting a motorcycle noise bill currently being considered by the Legislature because “tampering with exhaust systems usually results in significant increases in pollution.”

I question the frequent granting of mass gathering permits. I consider a mass gathering permit as something to be used once or twice a year for very special occasions, not every weekend.

The Arundel-Kennebunk area used to be a quiet, pleasant place. Now it’s a noise nightmare. I hope planning board members will do the right thing and help restore peace to our community.

Claire Unsinn

Kennebunk