The Town Council subcommittee meeting to discuss proposed changes to Watertown’s Noise Ordinance has been postponed.
The meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 13, has been moved to Monday, Dec. 2. The time and location have not been announced.
The meeting is a joint one of the committees on Human Services and Rules & Ordinances, and is the latest in a series looking at the Noise Ordinance.
Some of the proposed changes include adding a definition of a tonal sound — a “pure tone” of more than 3 decibels — as well as removing a number of activities of from the prohibited ones, including: construction, domestic (or home) power tools, and loading and unloading.
The list of exceptions to the Noise Ordinance are proposed to be expanded to include parades and snow removal.
The hours that leaf blowers and grounds maintenance equipment are allowed to be used are proposed to change from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The proposed hours that they would be allowed, under the changes, would be Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Tuesday night, Councilor Susan Falkoff made a referral to have the two subcommittees looking at the Noise Ordinance add leaf blowers to the prohibited activities.
See the latest draft of the proposed revisions to the Noise Ordinance below.
Noise Ordinance Draft 9.12.2019 by Charlie Breitrose on Scribd
Too bad people just don’t exercise good common sense and respect for their neighbors.
The biggest problems are with contractors not homeowners. Why do we let contractors work until 7 pm. So great to have to listen to nail guns while eating dinner or breakfast for that matter since they can start at 7 am. If you add the airplane noise into this Watertown is not a very peaceful place to live.