Driving safety, noise among concerns for SR borough council
SLIPPERY ROCK — Concerns about traffic safety and a proposed noise ordinance topped the agenda at the Slippery Rock borough council meeting last Tuesday.
“Safety is a top priority for the borough,” Mayor Jondavid Longo said in response to a Tuesday morning accident that sent a Slippery Rock child to the hospital. “Distracted driving is a safety concern for all of our citizens.”
The 11-year-old girl was struck by a car as she crossed the street to board a school bus at the corner of Franklin Street and Vincent Road in Slippery Rock. The board acknowledged the work of borough police Chief Terry Fedokovitz, who was present at the scene of the accident.
Vehicle speed through Slippery Rock Borough has been a major concern for the mayor and the council, Longo said. A joint campaign between the borough council and the university is being considered to crack down on distracted and reckless driving.
A proposed noise ordinance was a top priority for citizens attending the Tuesday meeting. The proposal would cap noises in the borough at 90 decibels. A sound at 90 decibels is the equivalent of a chainsaw from 10 feet, with 80-90 decibels considered the “level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss,” according to data from Yale University.
Some citizens are concerned that a 90-decibel limit is too high for residential areas, and they would feel more comfortable with a limit around 65 decibels. Several residents also voiced concerns that the ordinance could discourage citizens from reporting noise disturbances.
“There was no protection, and no one complained,” borough planning committee chair Alex Tuten said, pointing out that there is no existing borough regulation on noise. “I hope we are not creating more strife in our community.”
After hearing comments from citizens, the council approved a motion to advertise the noise ordinance. The vote to put the proposed noise ordinance into action will occur at a future meeting.
The council is reviewing Slippery Rock Borough’s 2024 budget, which contains a $50,000 surplus. Part of the review is how to spend these funds to best fill the borough’s needs. The issue will be discussed at a future meeting.
The council accepted a 2023 “Overall Impression” award from America in Bloom, a national program promoting community beautification. The award recognizes the work the community has done to make Slippery Rock an extraordinary place to live.
