Robert McIntosh, owner of Davis Funeral Home, recently spoke to neighborhood residents about construcuting a crematorium at 91 Deerwood Dr. Telegraph photo by Christopher Roberson

NASHUA – Contending with a vociferous crowd of more than 50 neighborhood residents, Robert McIntosh, owner of Davis Funeral Home, attempted to quell numerous concerns about a crematorium at 91 Deerwood Dr.

During the Aug. 15 meeting, residents spoke about the potential for harmful emissions, the lack of an environmental study and concerns for their children. They also pointed out that a public hearing was never held on the matter.

In response, McIntosh, who also owns the Deerwood Drive parcel, said he received authorization from the city to put a crematorium in the garage of the two-family home on the site. He also said he contacted the state Department of Environmental Services and was told that no permits were needed on the state level.

However, under state law, McIntosh said he was required to notify those residents who live within 250 feet of the site.

“These units are smokeless and odorless,” he said. “We are far below the government standards. It’s such a clean operation that you would have never even noticed.”

In addition, McIntosh said one of his employees, Funeral Director Andrea Travers, has chosen to live on site.

McIntosh said cremations in New Hampshire currently account for 77 percent of all funeral services, the fifth highest percentage in the country.

“A lot of people choose cremation versus a traditional burial,” he said, adding that he receives up to 170 cremation requests per year.

However, he has always worked with companies outside the city to provide this service. Therefore, the Deerwood Drive site would be the first crematorium in Nashua.

Attorney Andrew Prolman, counsel for McIntosh, said his client would not have chosen the property if it meant putting the neighborhood at risk.

“We wouldn’t have a situation that would create a liability,” he said.

Prolman also said the noise level of a cremation unit has been measured at 55 decibels.

According to data from Yale University, the sound of a household refrigerator is also 55 decibels.

Regarding traffic, Prolman said funeral services will not be held at the site and that only Davis employees will be there on a regular basis.

“There will be nominal traffic,” he said. “We’re aware of our surroundings.”

Although cremation units typically operate between 1,400 and 1,900 degrees, cremationist Douglas Gilman said the units adjust automatically to maintain the correct balance of fuel and air.

“The system is fully automated,” he said.

Gilman said cremation units consist of two chambers. One chamber is used for the deceased while the other chamber is used to burn off smoke so that only heat is released into the air. He also said diesel trucks, restaurants and fireplaces release a much greater volume of harmful emissions than a cremation unit.