Council Member Michael A. Sullivan saidcomplaints about noise often undermine the city'scultural vibrancy. For example, citizens objectedto the late night conclusion of Central Square's75-year-old Grecian festival.
Although the council as a whole stronglysupports the church, one member sympathizes withSt. Paul's neighbors.
"I think I was the only person on the councilthat had an iota of sympathy for these people,"said Council Member Henrietta Davis.
Davis wondered if the parties couldn't find acompromise.
"It makes sense to listen...and maybe make itbetter for one or both of them," Davis said.
Originally, the church ran the bellstwenty-four hours a day, but agreed to stop themcompletely from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
However, Crystal thinks the church has not beenresponsive enough.
"I have called them and they said they wouldtry to do something, but they haven't doneanything," Crystal said.
Monsignor Sheehan said the bells could not bemade to chime less frequently, but only shut offcompletely.
"You can stop them entirely or your can ringthem, but once you ring them you must ring them onthe quarter hour," Sheehan said.
For now, the decision is to let them ring.
Mayor Francis H. Duehay '55 said it is "likelythat the city will let the bells continue.