Central Falls council tables proposed noise ordinance; plans to buy decibel readers and create objective standard

Facing divergent public comment, the Central Falls City Council agreed to table a proposed amendment to the noise ordinance and pursue a data-driven approach to measurement and enforcement.

Several residents and business owners testified both for and against the proposed weekend-enforcement language and fee schedule. Lilia Durio, a resident, said she opposed limiting enforcement to late-night hours and argued that community members working or studying from home can be disturbed outside the proposed 11 p.m.–6 a.m. window.

An administration representative told the council the compromise reached over the summer was to pause the current proposal, purchase decibel readers for the police department and develop a training protocol and public input process. The goal, administration staff said, is to craft an objective noise standard—rather than a subjective enforcement standard—by next summer. "Once we buy this equipment... we are going to work with either this council or the new council... to basically build what we would call an objective standard," the administration representative said.

Council recorded a motion to table the ordinance; the motion passed by recorded vote. Members stressed the importance of public education and targeted outreach to non-English-speaking residents so enforcement would not penalize people who lack notice about any new rules.

Why it matters: the decision delays enforcement changes but signals a move toward measurable, standardized noise enforcement that city officials say will reduce subjectivity and improve fairness.

What’s next: the police department will procure decibel meters and the administration will organize a public-participation process to inform a revised ordinance expected next summer.