Committee for noise study still in the works

January 4, 2009 by pamliconews

Oriental’s normally placid ‘agenda’ meeting drew a blockbuster crowd last week.

Committee for noise study still in the works
Oriental board to review applications Jan. 6

JEFF AYDELETTE
PAMLICO NEWS STAFF

The Oriental commissioners, with prodding last week from Mayor Bill Sage, again endorsed a commitment, originally made Dec. 2, for the appointment of volunteer ‘stakeholders’ charged with research and fact-finding necessary to forge a compromise on maximum permissible noise levels for the town.

Applications are being taken via the municipal website, or in person at the Oriental Town Hall. Up to six people will likely be selected during an upcoming town meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Approximately 40 citizens packed a town conference room for the board’s normally staid ‘agenda’ session. Typically, these conferences are mundane affairs held several days before a regular meeting in order to set topics and discussion points.

Sage, who votes only when the board deadlocks on an issue, acknowledged a prevailing suspicion in the small waterfront community that elected officials might back pedal on their earlier and unanimous decision to appoint a committee.

“This normally is a sparsely attended meeting,” he said. “You are perfectly welcome to hear us discuss the noise issue that is on our January agenda.”

Most of those in the audience favored minimal tinkering with an existing town noise ordinance. The goal, apparently, is to head off an effort touted by Commissioners Kathy Kellam and David Cox to adopt a new set of hard-and-fast decibel levels.

Last month in a public hearing, which drew a crowd of more than a hundred, supporters of the Tiki Bar -- where live music is often featured -- forcefully argued efforts to tighten current noise restrictions are unnecessary. They pushed for formal input from an advisory committee, with the hope such a group might argue against wholesale changes to the existing law.

Sage suggested these future stakeholders should determine if “public confidence” exists in the town’s ability to accurately deploy and implement sound-measuring equipment. He declared the committee should identify, and potentially contract with, outside “experts who have no stake in the argument.” He later added “if you live here, you may be perceived as having some bias on the question.”

Both Kellam and Cox lobbied for their position that the town needs a set of objective standards, codified as part of the municipality’s rules and regulations.

Measurements and testing, Kellam said, “is not a one-time thing and we need to look at it more than once.” She hinted that wind, atmospheric conditions, and a variety of other factors could give false readings. “We need to get some education in the process and come to an understanding about what is workable.”

Cox, at one point, implied the commissioners would be entitled to reject the committee’s recommendations.

“I think that’s our job,” he said, referring to future decisions that will have to be made.
Cox, a former member of the planning board, also downplayed suggestions that establishing objective sound levels could become prohibitively costly.

“All we need is what a normal decibel meter will supply,” he said. “This is an issue that affects the whole town, not just one location.”

Oriental resident Kip Nicholas, known to favor a hands-off approach to noise regulation, drew uneasy chuckles when she counseled one way that the town might avoid any out-of-pocket expense.

“Shouldn’t the people who are complaining pay for the testing?” she asked.
At least two elected officials are expected to serve as a formal liaison to the stakeholders’ committee, although some sentiment exists for more.

“There is obviously bias on this board,” said resident Toni Leavitt, “so I think it is important that you all go.”

Sage advised restraint, particularly for anticipated on-site visits to homes and other areas where noise levels have been reported as being particularly loud.

“We want to be careful not to have 50 people traipsing into somebody’s bedroom in order to look at a meter,” he said.

Permalink