Shane W Potter

SLIPPERY ROCK — Borough council voted 5-1 to adopt an amendment to its noise ordinance, setting the maximum noise threshold to 90 decibels at a meeting Tuesday, Nov 21.

The amended noise ordinance, voted on after months of deliberation, research and public input, is effective immediately.

The ordinance also covers prohibitions to construction in any residential district between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays and the use of loudspeakers or amplifiers on public streets for commercial purposes for a continuous period of more than 10 minutes.

Previously, the ordinance lacked a maximum decibel level limit, and was unenforceable.

“ (The ordinance) actually, overall, is way more specific and way more protective,” councilperson Alexandra Tuten said.

“I’ve lived in this town 84 years,” said councilperson Ron Steele. “I’ve ever heard the police department or anybody having a noise complaint. I think 90 decibels is reasonable to set it at and move on with some other items that we have to take care of.”

Most noise complaints will be handled by police, rather than a code enforcement officer, solicitor Rebecca Black said.

Council president Jeff Campbell said the 90 decibel limit most likely will be used to cover noise violations that are “mechanical in nature.”

“The 90 decibel limit is really covering things that are long or routine, typical or consistent, sustained noises,” solicitor Rebecca Black said. “It’s not going to be a fleeting complaint or an atypical noise because the borough doesn’t have the resources to engage in that (noise level testing) on that basis.”

Council also motioned to advertise a vacant seat on council that is anticipated after Jan. 2.

After being elected to both a four-year seat and a two-year seat in the November general election, councilperson John K. Hicks will decide in early January which seat to fill.

Someone will be appointed to the other seat, Black said.

“To avoid operating with one fewer councilperson than we probably should, the thought was that we gather the letters now and then as soon as the new council members are taking their seats and sworn in, they’ll have those letters available to them,” Black said.

Borough manager Christian Laskey said his goal would be to collect letters of interest and resumes until Dec. 31. Interested residents can submit letters and resumes by emailing Laskey at Christian.Laskey@slipperyrockboroughpa.gov. The anticipated vacant seat will be advertised on the borough website.

“That way we can reorganize and the vacant seat would be open on Jan. 2,” Laskey said. “We can discuss, deliberate and then possibly schedule interviews.”