Dear Editor: During the public debate concerning the proposed development of 1600 Park Avenue, one of the issues that kept surfacing was noise; noise from construction and especially from increased traffic. Because of the small scale of our town, we are , all of us, essentially at street level as far as noise is concerned. Study after study show excessive noise to be a major cause of stress-related health problems such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Noise is also strongly suspected to interfere with children’s learning and development, not to mention the lowering of our qualify of life. Traffic noise is getting much worse as streets are blocked. Horns are honked as soon as lights turn green, when cars are blocked by double parkers, when taxis signal their arrival for pickup, or just out of sheer frustration. Police sirens scream to warn double parkers, the roar of unmuffled motorcycles sets off a string of wailing car alarms. Denser traffic means more siren howls from ambulances and police and fire vehicles — and that’s just traffic related noise. Downtown, bar-related turmoils has caused several of my neighbors to just give up, sell and move out of town. Construction starting as early as 6:30 in the morning is outrageous. Now, a bit of good news: The City Council is currently considering the implementation of the N.J. Model Noise Ordinance, crafted by state legal and technical experts. This would simplify the enforcement of noise violations in our town. Hobokenites — your noise problems, communicated to the council and to enforcement officials like the police chief and the health officer would be especially helpful right now. Please call them and let them know of your specific concerns and suggestions. I have recently been in contact with them, I would be happy to share the details of these talks and of the model ordinance with any concerned citizens who call me — I’m listed. The window of opportunity to control noise is now open, giving us a chance to stick our heads out and shout “Quiet down!” before it slams shut again. Alan Welner