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Resident raises sound concerns as council approves Royal Anchor outdoor music permit
Summary
A resident urged clarification of the town's decibel standard for live outdoor music at the Royal Anchor; police said nine calls were logged last year with one town meter reading over the limit. Council approved the special‑amusement permit but agreed to pursue a code workshop on enforcement and meter calibration.
A resident objecting to noise from the Royal Anchor asked the Old Orchard Beach Town Council on March 3 for clearer standards and better enforcement before the town reissues an outdoor music permit.
Sharon Jonkis, speaking from Parcher Avenue, said residents wanted the business to succeed but that last year’s events produced confusing decibel readings and several complaints. “I’m looking for clarification from the town council on what the decibel reading is for the noise,” Jonkis said, adding that neighbors recorded higher numbers and that “I don’t want to have to call police to police that.”
The police chief told the council the department received nine calls for service related to the permit last season and that the town obtained one calibrated meter reading that exceeded the standard while other attempts were hampered by ambient factors such as passing motorcycles and wind. “We did get a new meter last year … it’s calibrated,” the chief said, and noted that private meters owned by neighbors cannot be enforced by the town.
Council members said the ordinance’s current numeric limit (referred to in the discussion as 55 decibels with an AMN of 10) seemed low in an area with outdoor entertainment and urged a short workshop to clarify the ordinance language and enforcement procedures. The chair said a workshop with code staff should be scheduled to “work this through so we can all agree on our fair number.”
After discussion the council voted to approve the special‑amusement permit for live outdoor music at the Royal Anchor/Surfside site and closed the public hearing; the motion carried 4-0. Council members said the town will rely on the town’s calibrated meter and police response for any enforcement and that staff will prepare clarifying language or a workshop recommendation.
The permit approval included the usual conditions for public safety and compliance; the council did not place a hold on issuance pending further review.
