Slater council debates numeric decibel thresholds; tables noise ordinance for clean draft
Council held a lengthy first reading of a proposed noise ordinance that sets numeric limits (85 dB weeknights; up to 95 dB for limited weekend hours), raised enforceability concerns and voted to obtain a clean, bullet‑pointed draft and revisit the item at the next meeting.
The full story
At first reading the council reviewed a draft noise ordinance that sets numeric limits and escalates enforcement from warnings to fines and potential arrest for repeated violations. The mayor read the proposed language, including night limits: “over 85 decibels from 8PM to 7AM … and over 95 decibels from 11PM to 7AM on Fridays and Saturdays.” Several council members said the draft as written was confusing, raised concerns that 95 dB is high for overnight hours, and recommended clearer bullet points and explicit weekend hour windows to reduce ambiguity.
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