It’s Getting Too Noisy in Bethel

Late-night parties, early morning rock blasting, garbage pick ups, and morning lawn mowers, all have residents in Bethel losing sleep over what officials are calling a growing problem in town.

Noise was the topic of one of five proposed new ordinances under review in Bethel.

According to newstimes.com,  residents and business owners are concerned with the growing amount of noise, especially during the late night and early morning hours.

Matt Knickerbocker, Bethel's First Selectman was quoted by newstimes.com saying most complaints to his office come from late-night noise, but others are about people mowing their lawns at 7 a.m. on Sundays.

The new proposed noise ordinance, which is modeled after Danbury’s noise rules, would restrict the hours of heavy construction and other loud activities. Fines would start at $50. The ordinance would ban a certain level of noise before 7 a.m. on weekdays, before 8 a.m. on Saturdays, before 10 a.m. on Sundays, and after 8 p.m. everyday.

Despite the growing noise complaints, the proposed noise ordinance has not pleased everyone. Owners of several trash-removal businesses serving Bethel oppose the plan saying that banning certain levels of noise before 7 am would put more garbage trucks on the road later when there's more traffic, therefore they may not be able to give their customers the same level of service.

Another challenge with the noise ordinance is enforcement. The town would eventually have to buy decibel meters, but it's not yet clear how police would enforce the rules.

Stay tuned.

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