AUGUSTA — Controversial noise ordinance changes which had major area car dealers crying out in opposition go back to the Planning Board tonight.

Planners previously recommended noise ordinance changes which would have banned the use of outdoor speakers by all businesses in the city other than drive-through restaurants. Neighbors to businesses with outdoor speakers, particularly car dealers, complained to planners chatter from the speakers was so loud it made it hard for them to sleep and enjoy their yards.

However when the City Council considered approving those changes, owners of the city’s largest car dealers, including Charlie’s Motor Mall and O’Connor Motors, objected, saying they rely on outdoor speakers to communicate with their salespeople on their often-expansive sales lots.

So councilors sent the issue back to the Planning Board for reconsideration. Some councilors suggested an ordinance restricting businesses from allowing objectionable noises from leaving their property might be a solution.

Planners meet tonight at 7 in the lecture hall at Augusta City Center. The public hearing on the noise ordinance changes is the only agenda item.

Cony self-assessment on session agenda

AUGUSTA — The Board of Education meets in a workshop session Wednesday to discuss adult education graduation trends.

Board members are also scheduled to discuss a self-assessment of Cony High School, done as part of a proposal for the high school to join the New England Secondary School Consortium’s League of Innovative Schools.

Board members meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Farrington Elementary School.

Service commission appointments made

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage appointed or reappointed 11 commissioners Friday to the Maine Commission for Community Service.

New appointees are F. Celeste Branham, Susan Lavigne, Mary Catherine Bromberg, Marcia Hartt, Kristie Littlefield, Lindsey Jean Oliver and Susan Austin. Reappointed commissioners are Barb Wentworth, Joan McDonald, Ron Holmes and Susan Hammond.

Branham, of Farmington, is vice president for student services at the University of Maine at Farmington; Lavigne, of Portland, is a program director for The Opportunity Alliance; Bromberg, of Oakland, is with Kennebec Valley Community Action Program; McDonald, of South Portland, is chief executive officer for Girl Scouts of Maine; Holmes, of New Sharon, is with URS- Washington Group International; Hartt, of Falmouth, is public relations coordinator with United Insurance; Littlefield, of Augusta, is social studies specialist with the Maine Department of Education; Hammond, of Bangor, is executive director for Four Directions Development Corporation; Oliver, of Sidney, is a Husson University student; Austin, of Portland, is with Unum; and Wentworth, of Kennebunk, is director of community impact with the United Way of York County.

For more information, visit www.maineservicecommission.gov.

Compiled from wire reports