Shane W Potter

SLIPPERY ROCK — The borough’s amended noise ordinance is back on the table for council to vote on in two weeks.

At a meeting Tuesday, Oct. 3, solicitor Rebecca Black provided council members with a proposal of the amended ordinance that includes revisions based on public comments from last month’s meeting.

The changes to the amended noise ordinance — which would be set at a 90-decibel limit — include 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 over 10 minutes.

Exceptions to the 90-decibel limit, informed by resident feedback, have been included in Black’s proposal. Noise associated with routine property maintenance between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and noise generated by activities in public parks are exempt from the ordinance.

“If kids are playing and they want to have their iPod playing music or something, you don’t want that to be a violation,” Black said. “It’s a park; it’s meant for gathering and hanging out, and that’s gonna have some level of noise associated with it just by virtue of what people generally do.”

Nighttime emergency construction on behalf of the borough is also exempt. A permit would be required in most cases, the proposed ordinance states.

After a noise complaint about Slippery Rock’s 150-foot tall flagpole prompted council to review its ordinance, members discovered the borough lacked an allowable noise limit, making the ordinance unenforceable.

Those found in violation of the ordinance would be fined no more than $1,000 along with the costs of prosecution and the possibility of incarceration.

“I would imagine that no one here expected that flapping flag to sort of open Pandora’s box,” a resident said. “But that said, having witnessed the proceedings of this council from two weeks ago, I want to commend you all for your willingness to hear citizen input.”

Black said the borough conducted much research before deciding on a 90-decibel limit, and reminded residents there are other avenues of moving forward with a noise complaint.

“Having an ordinance on the books that we can enforce does not make this our exclusive vehicle for addressing those complaints,” she said. “I think you still have the option of contacting the police.”

Black also encouraged residents to talk with their neighbors to resolve noise complaints.

She said residents will be able to review a draft on the borough’s website before council votes on the amended noise ordinance on Oct. 17. Any concerns or suggestions can be emailed to Christian Laskey, borough manager.