Students Inconvenienced by Repairs on Sewers

Students in Leverett House and DeWolfe St. were rudely awakened yesterday morning when year-long renovations on the DeWolfe St. area sewers began at 7 a.m.

Many students said the noise from jackhammers and other heavy equipment ended their slumber and bothered them throughout the day--and several complained that their rooms had been shaking.

"I was awakened this morning and I couldn't sleep this afternoon," said Ruth S. Raskas '96, who lives in the Leverett Towers. "I don't have a choice in the matter, but I'd do something if I could."

"I want to transfer houses," said Robert P. Bartlett '96, an Old Leverett resident.

Students said the noise was loudest on the sides of the Leverett Towers facing the river, and the front of old Leverett.

Harvard officials and Cambridge Department of Public Works authorities could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The construction is part of a plan to improve the Cambridge sewer system. The project, which is planned to last just more than a year, will cover several streets including Mt. Auburn, Holyoke, Bow, Quincy, Broadway, Kirkland and Oxford, according Harvard officials contacted earlier in the week.

Certain students were worried about the effect the construction would have on their academics.

"The noise bothered me while I was trying to study. There's no way they can keep this up all year," said DeWolfe resident Kusumarn Thammongkol '95.

Alex G. Reisen '95, who lives in the Leveretttowers, was sleeping off a hang-over when thenoise awakened him. "It woke me up around sevenand I was really upset because I felt really sick.I suppose, though, it's a sacrifice we have tomake for the community welfare," he said.

Some students were less bothered by theconstruction. "You get used to it. By now it's nobig deal," said Old Leverett resident Lauren E.Krotzer '96.

Daniel V. White '95, who lives in DeWolfe, didnot even notice the noise. "I slept right throughit, but then again I lived in Canaday and I sleptright through the Memorial Church bells," he said.

Others managed to find humor in the situation."I don't have to worry about a power outagekeeping my alarm clock from going off," said LoriB. Daniels '95, who lives in the Leverett towers.

The noise was described by many students assounding somewhat musical. Michael S. Masland '95said, "There was one big noise, like a bass, withthis repetitive noise, the jackhammer, on top ofit. It sounded like music.

Alex G. Reisen '95, who lives in the Leveretttowers, was sleeping off a hang-over when thenoise awakened him. "It woke me up around sevenand I was really upset because I felt really sick.I suppose, though, it's a sacrifice we have tomake for the community welfare," he said.

Some students were less bothered by theconstruction. "You get used to it. By now it's nobig deal," said Old Leverett resident Lauren E.Krotzer '96.

Daniel V. White '95, who lives in DeWolfe, didnot even notice the noise. "I slept right throughit, but then again I lived in Canaday and I sleptright through the Memorial Church bells," he said.

Others managed to find humor in the situation."I don't have to worry about a power outagekeeping my alarm clock from going off," said LoriB. Daniels '95, who lives in the Leverett towers.

The noise was described by many students assounding somewhat musical. Michael S. Masland '95said, "There was one big noise, like a bass, withthis repetitive noise, the jackhammer, on top ofit. It sounded like music.