Sykesville officials consider noise ordinance for town

Police chief says complaints are sporadic

Town officials considered a noise ordinance in the 1990s, Candland said, but determined it was difficult and expensive to enforce.

Noise complaints are not widespread, Candland said, so officials decided to handle complaints on a case-by-case basis.

Councilman Leo Keenan, who is also an attorney, said he would look into noise ordinances of other municipalities. He referenced a Boca Raton, Fla., ordinance mentioned in the e-mail the resident sent Candland.

‘‘It doesn’t really involve spending money on decibel meters or anything like that,” he said. The ordinance states ‘‘...having no peddler making an outcry, blowing a horn, ringing a bell or using a sound device for the purpose of attracting any attention.”

Keenan said he wants to find out whether ordinances such as Boca Raton’s are enforceable and if the town could have an ordinance that would not require spending money on equipment, training or court costs to prosecute people for violations.

‘‘That wouldn’t require investing in a decibel meter, court cases or any of that,” Keenan said. ‘‘It’s something that we could possibly look into.”

Carroll County passed an ordinance in 2005 that outlines how much noise in decibels is considered a violation and at what time. It restricts construction noise, noise or vibrations caused or generated by people, and restricts the noise of non-commercial all-terrain vehicles.

Herman said the cost and added layers would be too much for the isolated incidents that occur in Sykesville.

‘‘Putting this additional layer of government and work to our staff wouldn’t be appropriate considering it’s not a wide-spread issue,” Herman said.

Police Chief John Jr. Williams said the town would see increase costs for the police department if an ordinance was created because most complaints happen at night, which means overtime pay in some cases. And the town might also have to pay overtime if the officer has to go to court hearings.

He said the best thing is to sit down with Candland and work with people and businesses on case-by-case basis to resolve issues.

Council President Jeannie Nichols said she would like to know how the pubic feelings on the subject of noise.

Williams said the Sykesville Police Department receives noise complaints sporadically, mostly associated with parties.

In situations such as parties, Williams said police issue a verbal warning to the person responsible; anyone who doesn’t comply is charged with disorderly conduct for disturbing the peace, he added.

If found guilty, he or she could face six months in jail and or a $500 fine for disorderly conduct, Williams said.