NEWS

Shaking up Edgewood

Residents, laundromat working to address neighborhood vibration issues

By EMMA BARTLETT
Posted 2/7/23

It’s a Thursday afternoon at Edgewood Laundromat and owner Darren Renzi has several washing machines running in the backroom of his facility located on the corner of Broad Street and Massasoit …

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NEWS

Shaking up Edgewood

Residents, laundromat working to address neighborhood vibration issues

Posted

It’s a Thursday afternoon at Edgewood Laundromat and owner Darren Renzi has several washing machines running in the backroom of his facility located on the corner of Broad Street and Massasoit Avenue. He’s been running the location for the last several decades and, before him, his father spent 43 years running the business.

The laundromat has recently caught the attention of residents on nearby streets (Broad, Massasoit, Doylston, Glen, Berwick, Sefton and Alhambra) with neighbors claiming that the facility is causing their houses to vibrate and shake.  

“We’re now suffering vibrations worse than a bus going by or a truck idling in front all day long,” David Burbach, a Broad Street resident, told City Council members on Jan. 23 at their monthly meeting.

Burbach was one of 14 Edgewood residents who provided public comment about the ongoing issue in their neighborhood. Individuals said vibrations have left cracks in walls and windows and items have been knocked off shelves.

Burbach, and many others, noted the rattling starts at 6 a.m. While some residents say they’ve noticed the vibrations over the past two months, others say the disturbance has occurred over the past two years.

The city conducted an investigation of Edgewood Laundry several weeks ago but did not find the facility in violation of any codes or ordinances. On Jan. 23, residents were concerned about the structure of their homes and asked for a more thorough investigation.

Assistant Solicitor John Verdecchia said laundromats are not regulated under the city’s code of ordinances. While the city is not powerless in regulating businesses that operate within city boundaries, Cranston’s power is very limited.

Verdecchia defined this issue as a nuisance – there are two types, private and public. He said the city has seen this before with issues with the Johnston windmills and Yard Works site.

“This is a private nuisance by definition and case law analysis,” said Verdecchia. “It’s up to the private individual to do something.”

On Thursday, Renzi told the Cranston Herald he’s tired of the negativity and people’s comments; he said the machines are not causing people’s houses to shake. He has four 65 lb. washers, one 40 lb. washer and one 30 lb. washer mounted on a concrete pallet. The machines have been there for the last two years and come from the Garment Machinery Company. Renzi said he’s spoken with the company and they’d send a representative to look at the machines.

Council Vice President Lammis Vargas, who oversees this area within Ward 1, said she’s spoken with many of the residents and how the vibration concern has interrupted their quality of life.

The city asked Edgewood Laundry to come before the Safety Services and Licenses Committee on Feb. 4 to talk about the ongoing situation. At Monday’s meeting, the discussion was continued to next month’s agenda since the residents and laundromat are making progress according to Robert Ferri.

Comments

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  • pmarseglia

    Suggest that Edgewood Laundry try using industrial vibration pads under their equipment. This will not only dampen the vibration and noise but may also increase the life of the equipment.

    Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Report this

  • pmarseglia

    Suggest that Edgewood Laundry try using industrial vibration pads under their equipment. This will not only dampen the vibration and noise but may also increase the life of the equipment.

    Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Report this

  • Robferri2426

    Let’s be hopeful that this will be resolved amicably. No one wants this to be a major issue.

    Robert Ferri

    Safety Services Chairman.

    Cranston City Council

    Friday, February 10, 2023 Report this

  • mw_atc

    I live right across the street from the laundromat on the corner of Broad and Massasoit. I feel I have always had good interactions with the employees, one even tried to help me shovel out my car after a big storm last year. But the vibrating is honestly quite frustrating. Being able to hear and feel the cycling of the machines is too much.

    Friday, February 10, 2023 Report this