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To: "Steven Baddour" <Steven.Baddour@state.ma.us>, "Jennifer Flanagan" <Jennifer.Flanagan@state.ma.us>, "Anthony Petruccelli" <Anthony.Petruccelli@state.ma.us>, "Thomas McGee" <Thomas.McGee@state.ma.us>, "Mark Montigny" <Mark.Montigny@state.ma.us>, "James Timilty" <James.Timilty@state.ma.us>, "Robert Hedlund" <Robert.Hedlund@state.ma.us>, "Rep JosephWagner" <Rep.JosephWagner@hou.state.ma.us>, "Rep CarlSciortino" <Rep.CarlSciortino@Hou.State.MA.US>, "Rep RobertFennell" <Rep.RobertFennell@hou.state.ma.us>, "Rep JohnFresolo" <Rep.JohnFresolo@hou.state.ma.us>, "Rep StephenCanessa" <Rep.StephenCanessa@Hou.State.MA.US>, "Rep DeniseProvost" <Rep.DeniseProvost@Hou.State.MA.US>, "Rep JohnFernandes" <Rep.JohnFernandes@Hou.State.MA.US>, "Rep RosemarySandlin" <Rep.RosemarySandlin@Hou.State.MA.US>, "Rep CarloBasile" <Rep.CarloBasile@Hou.State.MA.US>, "Rep LoriEhrlich" <Rep.LoriEhrlich@Hou.State.MA.US>, "Rep BillBowles" <Rep.BillBowles@hou.state.ma.us>, "Rep GeorgePeterson" <Rep.GeorgePeterson@hou.state.ma.us>, "Rep DonaldHumason" <Rep.DonaldHumason@hou.state.ma.us>
Sent: Monday, October 5, 2009 7:06:16 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Bill to Ban the Use/Sale of Aftermarket Exhaust Systems

Good day.

I write regarding consideration by the Massachusetts Joint Transportation Committee on Tuesday, October 6th of two bills. -- A bill (H.B. 3332) to ban the “use and sale of any exhaust pipe that increases the sound emission of any vehicle including motorcycles” and Legislation (H.B. 4027) to require the incorporation of noise level testing into the vehicle inspection process will also be considered. H.B. 4027 does not define a noise level limit, but allows it to be determined by the registry. The current regulations actually allow the inspection technician to make the determination subjectively.

The proposed legislation and RMV Regulations governing Vehicle Inspection in the area of vehicle exhaust systems is fundamentally flawed. It appears that through some error or misinformation, the proposed bills enact exhaust noise regulations without standards or specification for measurement or quantification. As such, consistent and fair qualification as to acceptable or unacceptable exhaust noise levels become impossible. This has given rise to a new type of automotive service scam, that of inspection stations, mechanics and dealerships violating the letter and the intent of these regulations by taking unfair advantage of motorists who have already been victimized. One dealership told a member of our club that they would remove the aftermarket exhaust system, re-install the stock unit, perform the inspection and, after affixing the sticker, re-install the aftermarket exhaust system. All this would be done for only $200.00 plus the price of the inspection sticker. (The irony is that the dealer in question sold and installed the aftermarket exhaust system in question!)

This "fleecing" of the automotive consumer is the sad result of legislation, coming from good intentions with less-than-acceptable implementation. Rather than allow this frustrating and unworthy situation, we seek to partner with our Legislature and our Registry to bring about adjustments in these subject stipulations that will allow a fair evaluation for all motorists, including the tens of thousands of Automotive Enthusiasts in the Commonwealth. We are pleading to have a moment of your time so that we can make a case for legislation that sets a standard, as a national example. Please do not allow these bills to continue until corrected.

Once the above-stated matter is resolved to the benefit of all, we seek to bring to the attention of our lawmakers a second matter. This, a means for raising significant additional annual funds for our General Treasury from the community of Massachusetts Automotive Hobbyists and "Car Nuts" in general. This specialty license plate program should bring in several million in new revenue annually with further expansion as the program gains popularity. It benefits the Hobbyists, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and today's Children who will someday become our future Automotive Enthusiasts. Ours is a Family-Oriented hobby with couples, their children and grandchildren involved. We ask to be heard to so as to help serve the interests of all the Commonwealth's residents.

Please let me know if we can be of further assistance to your considerations and if you can hear us in presenting to you. The specialty license plate idea, is a means of allowing the people to come to the aid of government. My contact information is at the close of this message for your use. I look forward to hearing from you.

With a wave,
Richard Gureghian
North Shore Corvettes of Massachusetts, Inc.
www.northshorecorvettes.com