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06/08/2022 08:01 AMAfter inquiries from members of the public about a noise ordinance the Town Council will form a subcommittee to study the issue, though town leaders warn the path forward isn’t as simple as some might suspect.
At a Town Council meeting on May 4, the issue of a noise ordinance was briefly discussed. Chair Chris Aniskovich said that some residents have contacted the town with complaints about noise at night and asked if the town has a noise ordinance.
After discussing the matter at the meeting, the council decided to move forward with setting up a subcommittee to study the issue and report back to the council at a later date. Council members Carrie Allen and Carol Walter both put their names forward to be on the subcommittee. Aniskovich said the committee will likely include on more council member and a member of the police commission.
Speaking to the Harbor News on June 1, Aniskovich said the committee still has not been officially formed but will be soon.
“We’re going to organize the committee then they can do their due diligence and report back to us and as a council we’ll decide how to go forward,” said Aniskovich.
However, Aniskovich also cautioned that “a noise ordinance isn’t as easy as I think some people think it is.”
For one thing, Aniskovich said there is a cost associated with a noise ordinance as the town would need to purchase equipment that measured noise level and then make sure the equipment was properly calibrated. Then there needs to be an agency who is responsible for enforcing the ordinance.
“It’s a 24/7 job. And if the police department is enforcing it the same issue applies. Multiple people would need to be trained and then in charge of carrying out enforcement,” said Aniskovich.
Aniskovich said that the complaints from the public were sometimes cases in which a person complained about frequent loud noises from a neighbor and others were sporadic incidents connected to holiday parties like July 4. Aniskovich said that it is possible that if simply talking to a neighbor and asking them to be quiet doesn’t calm down the disturbance, the knowledge that the town has a formal ordinance on the books that can result in violations would be a deterrent.
“Talk to your neighbors and if it keeps happening, maybe [the ordinance] will stop it,” said Aniskovich
Aniskovich said the subcommittee will look into the costs of the equipment, review regulations of towns with noise ordinances, and study enforcement mechanisms. Aniskovich also acknowledged the appeal of an ordinance to people who are trying to have a peaceful evening at home, but reiterated the complicated nature of drafting an ordinance.
“Yes, it would be good to have one on the books, sure, but we have talk about it first. There are costs associated and there are questions,” said Aniskovich.