Recommending changes to the Town of Chester’s Noise Pollution Control Ordinance

In 2021, the Chester Town Board passed a Local Law to implement a Noise Pollution Control Ordinance.

While it was a good start, it has numerous shortcomings which includes but not limited to:

Only one noise level threshold limit of 85 decibels (or dB, which is a logarithmic unit used to measure sound level).

Sounds at and above 85 dB are harmful to the human ear.

It is applicable 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

It is for all Zoning Districts; (Residential, Office, Business, Commercial and Industrial).

It is not in sync with Section 10.7 of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan which states a noise level threshold of 65 dB between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. and 55 dB between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Working with Town Councilman Holdridge, I drafted changes to the Town Noise Control Ordinance in April 2022. Except for Councilman Holdridge, the other Town Board members are not in favor of the changes.

The changes I recommended are as follows:

Establish individual noise levels thresholds for each Zoning District.

Establish individual noise level thresholds based on time of day and day of the week.

Prohibit the use of unmuffled compression engine brakes (Jake Brake).

If you share our concerns with the Noise Pollution Control Ordinance, please share them with the Town Board by sending them an e-mail and/or attending a Town Board meeting and voice those concerns during the Public Comment session of the Town Board meeting.

Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Larry Dysinger

Chester