St. Paul council adopts noise ordinance, approves hydrant replacements and sewer televising contract

ST. PAUL — The St. Paul Town Council on Aug. 5 approved a series of maintenance and regulatory measures intended to shore up utilities and town services while adopting new noise-control rules.

The council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2025-8, the second reading of a noise-control ordinance, after a brief consideration. Council Member Kim Livingston moved to approve the ordinance; Tim Ray seconded and the motion carried.

In infrastructure actions, the council approved replacing two fire hydrants that operator Les Day said had failed. The council authorized materials and labor at approximately $5,000 per hydrant, with funds to be paid from the town’s water depreciation account; Tim Ray made the motion and Kim Livingston seconded.

The council also reviewed three bids for sewer televising and jetting and approved hiring Robinson to perform the work for $9,225, to be paid from sewer funds. That work follows earlier discussion of meter-reading problems and routine inspection needs tied to a rate study the town is pursuing.

Separately, the council authorized up to $1,500 in gym-facility materials to replace two sinks, two toilets and associated piping at the gymnasium. Water/Sewer Operator Les Day offered volunteer labor for the project. The expense will be paid from the gym fund.

Clerk/Treasurer Alyssa Hall presented the monthly financial report and introduced a resolution transferring funds from Bond & Interest (6102) to Utility Operating (6101) because revenue was less than operating expenses; the council approved the resolution by motion of Kim Livingston, seconded by Tim Ray.

The meeting’s reports also recorded department activity: town marshal staff logged a combined set of hours and enforcement actions for July (including eight calls for service, 16 warnings and nine citations). The volunteer fire department reported by email 18 active members, 42 hours of training and seven calls for service for July.

In new business the council requested the clerk-treasurer send ordinance-required letters after a complaint from resident Josh Chaney about a noncompliant neighbor at 302 N. Jackson St. Resident Karen Cyman asked about participating in the sidewalk program for property at 308 E. Franklin St., and Elizabeth Parnell raised concerns about her water meter pit and the relocation of a dead-end sign. The council also followed up on a June complaint from Allie Hall (4 E. Franklin St.) about fecal material on a property and requested a town employee clean the area and bill the resident per ordinance.

The council opened the meeting for public comment and received none. Council President Joshua Sangl moved to adjourn; Tim Ray and Kim Livingston seconded and the meeting ended at 8:41 p.m.

What happens next: work orders and contracts authorized at the meeting will proceed under the departments identified (water depreciation for hydrant replacements, sewer funds for televising, gym fund for repairs); no effective date for Ordinance No. 2025-8 was stated in the minutes.