Volume turned down on motorcycles, car stereos

SMITHFIELD - You'll still be hearing the whine of the chain saw (100 decibels) and the howl of the leaf blower (70 decibels) this season, but new regulations adopted last week after a Town Council discussion (60 decibels) may help muffle other loud sounds, including the roar of motorcycles and the thumping of obnoxious car stereos.

The council approved revisions to the municipal noise ordinance that lower acceptable sound levels in town from a maximum of 90 decibels to 70 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and to 60 at all other times.

Anything higher will be considered "excessive noise" and subject to a fine of up to $100 per infraction.

In addition to specifying maximum decibel levels, the ordinance defines excessive noise as sound "that is clearly audible by a person of normal hearing at a distance of 200 feet from its source."

The new regulations exempt a long list of commonly heard sounds, including those generated by yard work and snow removal devices, including chain saws; church bells, parades, festivals, and fireworks; athletic events, military operations, and noise from North Central Airport.

They also allow home security alarms, generally rated between 100 and 120 decibels, to sound for up to 15 minutes.

Although the new rules pertain to noise in general, they appear to have been generated specifically from complaints to various council members about motorcycles, car stereos, and construction work, particularly rock crushing.

The sponsor, Councilman Stephen Archambault, said, "My intent is not to target any specific group like motorcycles, but excessive noise. When you can feel the vibrations from boom-boxes 1,000 feet away, that's not reasonable, and the ordinance allows what is reasonable."

Various sources rate motorcycles at about 100 decibels at cruising speed, and cranked-up car stereos at 130 and higher.

Resident Alan Alarie, of Farnum Pike, supported the more restrictive ordinance, citing noise from motorcycles, but warned that the 70- and 60-decibel maximums "are very low numbers and might be difficult to enforce."

Sixty decibels is generally compared to conversation.

Deputy Police Chief Richard St. Sauveur Jr. said there would be some "trial and error" in putting the new law to use, but noted that the department has laser speed-measuring devices that also calculate distance and would be helpful in enforcing the 200-foot standard.

"We certainly will stop those packs of motorcycles," he said, adding that the department would also be monitoring stereo noise from cars.

Bill Davis, who said he has been a motorcycle rider for decades, conceded that some motorcycle noise "is ridiculous," but that "some tractor-trailers make more noise." He urged the council to talk with bikers before acting.

Archambault responded that if motorcycle riders are generating "reasonable" noise, "they're not going to have a problem. I don't see this as a means to come down on motorcycles."

Town Solicitor Edmund Alves Jr. said that the previous 90-decibel maximum was "very high" in comparison to what is permitted in other area communities, where the mean is about 70. He termed that cutoff "an enforceable level."

Last week's meeting marked the return to the council table of Town Manager Dennis Finlay, who had been out of action for several weeks while he recovered from shoulder surgery.

In another matter at its Oct. 20 session, the council took action at the request of Town Engineer Kevin Cleary toward correcting chronic flooding problems at Mann School, Williams, and Log roads.

Cleary was given permission to seek bids from outside firms to help design a drainage project there that will cost an estimated $306,000. Because the town has a partial grant from the state Department of Environmental Management and the town's share can be a contribution of in-kind expertise from his department, Cleary said the project will not require an outlay of tax money beyond the already-accounted-for salaries in his department.

Cleary said that pollutant-laden stormwater now drains through the area and flows into Stump Pond, where it deposits "sediment, oils, greases, trash" and other contaminants.

He said that the proposed drainage system, with filtration and deep catch basins, will improve water quality before it flows into the pond.

Also at last week's meeting, the council appointed Vincent A. Zibelli to the newly formed Historic Preservation Commission, reappointed Barbara Rich to the Land Trust, and reappointed Leo E. Labrie sealer of weights and measures.